I got this shortly before Halloween season, and what better way to get into the swing of things than with this 2nd video game chapter of the popular horror movie franchise.

For third person survival horror junkies and fans of the movies, this grisly, dark and creepy game will certainly satisfy. Set between the first and second movies, you're in the unfortunate shoes of Michael (son of cop David Tapp played by Danny Glover in the first movie), trying to get to the bottom of his father's death. This dumps him in the Jigsaw Killer's sights (along with his apprentice).

Clues and specific control combinations are hidden and hinted at throughout the game, as with the opening where you wake up in a room, addressed by the TV puppet, needing to get out of a crushing head trap – the key sewn into your eye socket and a scalpel on the table... From here you're part of Jigsaws meticulous game as you traverse your way through the decayed, dank, wet and miserable building with its innovative and deadly traps.

Along the way 25 puzzle pieces need to be collected, as well as practical and essential items like metal pipes (to break through weak cinder blocks in walls), nails (to pick locks - which places you inside the mechanism, navigating by flying through the rotating openings), and a torch (to illuminate those pesky dark rooms and find those clues).

Besides gory action in your attempt to escape Jigsaw's many bloody traps, mini games and puzzles also allow for some head scratching and cerebral focus in order to proceed through the narrative of horror.

Difficulty settings are very simple – Normal and Insane! Some enemies cannot be defeated by brute force, and elements of your environment need to be utilized, with health hypodermics essential to restore depleted power.

Without following the objectives and maps, you'll be in a world of trouble (and pain).
Naturally, this game has an 18 for violence, gore and language.

Fans of the movie series will be glad to know that a 7 DVD box set is being released, and will feature at the HorrorFest - www.horrorfest.info

4 / B
- Paul Blom

A - Multiple Playing Prospects
B - Can be taken for another Run
C - Once Should Suffice