'Saw' video game preview

(Credit: Konami)

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We were hoping for some Jigsaw-led “Dance Dance Revolution,” but when the “Saw” franchise comes to the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PCs in Konami’s October 9 release, it will take the form of a “Resident Evil”-esque survival horror game.
 
It’s a stretch, we know. That’s why we were curious to hear just how they’re going to pull this crazy stunt off. So we set up an elaborate trap for associate producer Simon Lai—involving razor wire, a belt sander, and a half-eaten bucket of chicken—to get the answers.
 
In the game, you play as Detective David Tapp, and you have to escape an insane asylum that Jigsaw has rigged with traps. How hard was it to figure out this set-up for the game?
Well, we worked very closely with the creators of the films to really create an authentic “Saw” experience. Because Tapp’s obsession with Jigsaw was a large part of the first film, we piggybacked off of that storyline, and set the game between the first and second movies.
 
Why did you set the game between the first and second films when it’s coming out around the time of “Saw VI”?
The idea was to bring in some of the more iconic elements to the franchise—such as Detective Tapp, the reverse bear trap, etc.—which happen during the first few films. Though you might see some elements of the new film in the game as well.
 
Has there been any concern that fans of the films will come to this game hoping to play as Jigsaw?
I’m sure some players would want to play as Jigsaw, but in staying true to the film, we felt that the terror lies in the traps and making the choices to stay alive. Pf you played as Jigsaw, you would spend the whole game just watching people.
 
Will Danny Glover [who played Det. Tapp in the films] be providing Tapp’s voice for the game?
No, Danny Glover is not voicing Det. Tapp. But Tobin Bell will be doing the voice of Jigsaw.
 
Does Tapp ever sigh and say “I’m getting too old for this sh*t”?
Ha! No, he’s more concerned with staying alive. But I find myself saying that all the time.
 
Aside from Jigsaw and Tapp, are any other characters from the films in the game?
You will be introduced to Amanda, who was Jigsaw’s apprentice in “Saw 3.” She’s a major character in the game, and there are other characters as well, but that’s all I can tell you for now…
 
It’s been said that the game will answer some questions from the films. Did the filmmakers ever step in and say those questions should be saved for a “Saw Begins”-esque prequel?
No, we did not run into any plot interferences with the filmmakers. The “Saw” universe is very expansive and deliberate, so there are not a lot of plot lines that have not been exploited or left unanswered. We had a few directions we wanted to go in, so we approached Lionsgate and Twisted Pictures and chose the storyline that made the most sense for the game.
 
Are the traps in the games mostly new or from the movies?
You will see some traps from the films and some new ones. For example, you start the game in the reverse bear trap—one of the most recognizable traps from the first movie.
 
Do you ever get to play as the puppet dude when he’s on his tricycle?
No, as with the films, Billy the Puppet is a very ominous figure. When you see him, you know you’re screwed.