Dragami Games recently made an announcement that the release of its highly anticipated Lollipop Chainsaw remake has been delayed until 2024. As someone who has never played the hack-and-slash game before but was eagerly awaiting the remake, I decided to take matters into my own hands. I spent $40 on a copy of the game that was made 11 years ago and borrowed my friends’ Xbox 360 to play it at my apartment.
I had heard stories about the game’s upskirt achievements and objectification of women, but after playing Lollipop Chainsaw, I realized that it is not as offensive as it is perceived to be. In fact, I found the unicorn vomit-covered action and exaggerated characters to be quite charming. The game is often misunderstood, much like schoolkids and fairies.
Lollipop Chainsaw, released in 2012, is a collaboration between cult-favorite game designer Suda51 and film director James Gunn, known for his work on The Suicide Squad (2021). The game features Juliet Starling, a chainsaw-wielding cheerleader at San Romero High School. Despite the initial caricature-like presentation of Juliet, I found myself being drawn into her world as I fought off hordes of zombies with her signature weapon.
The gameplay is relatively simple, with button-mashing and quick-time events being the primary mechanics. As I progressed through the game, I became more skilled at executing combos and unlocking additional abilities. The combat was satisfying, and I never felt overwhelmed, even in the face of challenging enemies.
One of the standout features of the game is the Sparkle Hunting mechanic, which rewards players for killing multiple zombies simultaneously. This mechanic, coupled with the ability to purchase power-ups and upgrades, made the gameplay enjoyable and engaging.
While Lollipop Chainsaw does have moments of sexism and objectification, particularly in its treatment of Juliet’s boyfriend, Nick, overall, I didn’t feel that Juliet herself was poorly portrayed. In fact, I found her to be a complex and empowered character who defied traditional gender roles. She is not simply a sexualized object but a capable and multifaceted individual.
Playing Juliet in Lollipop Chainsaw was a refreshing experience. It was rare to come across a game that allowed a female protagonist to be talkative, sexual, and competent all at once. Juliet’s character subverts expectations and challenges traditional notions of femininity and attractiveness. She is not easily categorized, and that is what makes playing as her feel so natural and impactful.
In a gaming landscape that often lacks diversity in its representation of women, Lollipop Chainsaw stands out as a game that embraces a strong and independent female lead. It goes beyond the typical “girl games” that often focus on fashion and makeup and explores themes of death and ugliness that are essential parts of the human experience.
While Lollipop Chainsaw may have its flaws, it is ultimately a game that offers a unique and empowering gameplay experience for women. As we continue to push for greater representation and inclusivity in gaming, it’s important to recognize and celebrate games like Lollipop Chainsaw that challenge the status quo and provide diverse and compelling narratives.