Very seldom do fans ask for a remaster of a game over a remake, but that’s exactly what’s going on with the upcoming remake, Lollipop Chainsaw RePop. The proposed remake of the cult classic hack-and-slash zombie game that came out in 2012, whose claim to fame was letting you play as a blonde cheerleader whose dead not-alive boyfriend’s head is strapped to her belt, was initially announced last year. However, after getting little news from its developers, Dramagi Games, broke its silence and confirmed that the game will now be a remaster instead of a remake.
Yoshimi Yasuda, the original producer of the game, recently clarified that Lollipop Chainsaw RePOP, as the new iteration is titled, will be a remaster rather than a remake.
This distinction, while seemingly subtle, holds profound implications for the game’s development and final product. A remaster mainly enhances a game’s graphics, leaving its core components untouched. In contrast, a remake signifies a more comprehensive revamp, affecting storylines, characters, mechanics, and other foundational elements. For clarity, a complete overhaul of a game from its roots is labeled a “reboot”, but this term doesn’t apply here.
Yasuda’s statement on this change was brief but telling: “We have changed the game design of RePOP from Remake to Remaster based on your requests!” This decision was supposedly influenced by feedback from the game’s community. Fan input is vital, but one can’t help but wonder if it’s also been a source of challenges for the developers at Dragami Games.
When the remake was initially announced, several changes were hinted at, which weren’t universally embraced. Mollie Taylor, the features producer, expressed reservations about the proposed modifications. Notably, the alteration to the licensed soundtracks and the shift towards “more realistic” game visuals garnered mixed reactions. Given the feedback, it’s plausible that the decision to pivot from a remake to a remaster was also influenced by the desire to stay true to the original game’s spirit.
This change hasn’t been the project’s only setback. Originally scheduled to launch later this year, Lollipop Chainsaw’s remake has been postponed to summer 2024. This delay is considerably longer than standard development extensions, hinting at underlying challenges. Furthermore, there’s still no clarity on which platforms will support the remastered game, leaving fans in the dark about where they’ll be able to play.
Interestingly, Yasuda had previously mentioned the team’s intent to keep the game as aligned with the original. One of the major proposed change was to the licensed music soundtrack, implying potential licensing difficulties. Despite the pivot from remake to remaster, the extent to which the soundtrack will be preserved or altered remains uncertain.
Formerly the CEO of Kadokawa Games, Yoshimi Yasuda was instrumental in publishing titles like Lollipop Chainsaw and Killer is Dead in Japan. His exit from Kadokawa to establish Dragami Games was significant, making the announcement of Lollipop Chainsaw a big deal. However, we can’t deny that fans were right to express concern. A change in the game and its soundtrack is one thing but a new art design and the non-involvement of the original contributors, like the creative director, Suda51, and co-writer, James Gunn, are red flags.
With Yasuda now confirmed that the remake is a remaster, fans can, at the very least, rest easy knowing the core design of the gameplay, specifically that of the now-iconic Juliet, will remain unchanged.
But, we are genuinely curious how Lollipop Chainsaw RePop will recreate the original’s risqué content, remaster or not. Hopefully, it finds a proper balance between faithful and tasteful.
In the meantime, if you’re looking for other similarly unusual games for you to play, be sure to check out our round-up of the weirdest games ever.
