Splatterhouse 3
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| Splatterhouse 3 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Developer(s) | Namco |
| Publisher(s) | Namco |
| Platform(s) | Sega Mega Drive/Sega Genesis |
| Release |  March 18, 1993 March 19, 1993 |
| Genre(s) | Horror/Beat 'em up |
| Mode(s) | 1 player |
Splatterhouse 3 is the title of a video game released by Namco for the Mega Drive/Genesis in 1993. It is the sequel to Splatterhouse 2 and was one of the first games to be given a rating by Sega's own Videogame Rating Council. In North America the game was given a MA-13 rating by the council for its graphic violence and gore. Unlike its predecessors, it was never released in Europe.
Gameplay
In this single-player action game you control Rick, who has once again donned the accursed Terror Mask to gain the strength needed to enter a haunted house and save his wife (Jennifer) and son (David) from various evil monsters. As Rick you have to race against time through various floors in the mansion and jump, kick, and punch an assortment of monsters to save your wife and child.
Occasionally, Rick is able to pick up weapons (i.e. a baseball bat or an cleaver, among others) to use against the monsters. Once you defeat all the monsters in the room an in-game map appears to give you some choice in how you get to the end of each level. The game's storyline alters significantly if you fail to finish levels before the allotted time runs out. For example; in the second level you are tasked with saving Rick's wife Jennifer from being devoured by a boreworm. In order to save her, you must reach the end of the level to confront and defeat the boreworm within the time limit. Failing to do so before time runs out will result in Jennifer being devoured internally by the boreworm planted inside of her body.
This installment of the Splatterhouse series also introduced another power of the Terror Mask. During gameplay, you will periodically find Eldritch Orbs which will fill a power meter at the bottom of the screen when collected. When the appropriate button is pressed while the power meter is charged, you will witness Rick transforming into a hulking and more monstrous version of himself with the Terror Mask being seemingly fused to his head. In this state Rick is significantly stronger and can execute a special attack that involves pieces of his flesh extending from his chest area and acting as a weapon, injuring any monster in the vicinity of their reach. Also, instead of actually wielding the weapons he finds, the mutated version of Rick simply flings them at enemies, dealing a fair bit more damage then swinging the weapons as normal Rick would have.
As was the case in the first two games, the game featured many homages to popular horror films and helped to pave the way for the survival horror genre of video games.
Story
The game takes place about 5 years after the events of Splatterhouse 2; Rick and Jennifer have since married and have a son named David. Rick has become a successful parapsychologist in the tradition of his idol, Dr. West. He has also become successful in Wall Street and has bought a mansion in Connecticut, burying the memories of the Terror Mask behind him. Meanwhile, in Mexico City, the temple where the mask was found begins to pulsate a dark energy, which is seeking out Rick. Rick then receives premonitions from the Terror Mask itself.
One night, while Rick and his family are starting to settle into their new mansion, the evil demons that plagued Rick in his youth eventually start to appear again and seem to be going after Rick's family. Suddenly, the Terror Mask beckons Rick once again, telling Rick that the Evil One has once again risen and is now out for revenge for all the times Rick has stopped his evil plans. Knowing fully well that his family is in terrible danger, Rick dons the Terror Mask one last time.
Rick defeats the Evil One's minions and ultimately the Evil One himself.
Upon defeating the Evil One, the Terror Mask reveals its true intentions of ruling the universe. Rick must then travel inside his own mind to defeat the Terror Mask.