An Update on the Status of Lollipop Chainsaw RePOP
We would like to thank all the players of Lollipop Chainsaw RePOP for purchasing the game, and to take a moment to provide an update on our ongoing work on the game. Your feedback has been invaluable, and we are actively working to address the issues that have been reported.
Bugs, Fixes and Improvements
Adjustments to bring the behavior of the KAWAII PHYSICS that we are using in UE5 in RePOP closer to that of the physics in the original release will be completed by the end of this week, meaning that the update will be ready next week. However, the time it takes for updates to be reflected on each platform is different; we will share further information when available on Twitter (X).
The fix for the comic-style character intros on Xbox is complete and and available via an update.
We can confirm that some dialogue not playing is due to a bug (no dialogue was consciously removed) and this falls under the scope of bug fixes.
We are currently working to fix other bugs as well, and would appreciate bug reports being sent to us at [email protected]
Please be assured that development for the PS4 and Xbox One will not be delayed due to work on bug fixes.
UPDATE (09/20): Outside of bugs, we would also like to confirm that we have also received reports regarding the following issues and requested features, and that we plan to implement fixes with upcoming patches:
・Steam cloud saves not functioning as intended
・Graphic settings and optimization
・Steam Deck support
・Ultra wide support
・Alternate controller button icons for PC
・The ability to set text and voice language separately (e.g. English text with Japanese voices)
・Improved framerate for Switch
Regarding requested features and issues not listed above, if you have sent them to us, rest assured that we have seen and are considering them: The list only consists of items that we can at this time confirm that we will be working on, and we will add more as we confirm that they are implementable. With some requested features, this may take some time as we focus on more pressing issues such as bug fixes.
UPDATE (09/21): The following issues have been fixed or adjusted in the Steam release's v1.0.3.1 update:
・Physics related to Juliet improved
・Some animations related to Juliet (sliding when jumping over vaulting boxes) improved
・Zombies blocking the camera are now made invisible
・Missing voice line in the prologue when the helicopter is destroyed is restored
・Audio mixing for voices, sound effects, and BGM is improved
・Stage 2 gym zombies no longer jitter
・Bug where Juliet could go out of bounds in the stage 1 junkyard has been fixed
・Time attack bug where extremely short times could be registered has been fixed: The leaderboard will be reset at a later date
・Bug where manual QTEs would not progress has been fixed
・Cloud saves have been fixed
Where relevant, the same bugs have been fixed in the console releases as well, and will be reflected in updates scheduled for next week for PS5 and the week after next for Xbox and Switch. Some additional bugs exclusive to the Switch version will also be fixed with the update.
Regional Pricing
Regarding regional pricing, we have heard your comments regarding this and acted accordingly: We have submitted the price request to Steam, and will announce the prices once we have the approval of the platforms.
UPDATE (09/20): Unfortunately, Steam has refused our request, citing that prices cannot be changed until 30 days after release. We will re-submit a request as soon as possible, in mid-October. We are aware that this places it outside of the early purchase 10% discount window, and are considering options to handle this issue.
Physical Releases
Regarding physical releases on console, here is information for the various regions:
・North America: Available from Limited Run Games (please direct inquiries about the NA physical release to them)
・Japan: To be released next week (September 25)
・Europe: A license agreement has been made for a physical release, but we have not yet received any information from our partner regarding the schedule. We will let you know when a date is confirmed.
The game does have a language change option built in, meaning that if you purchase a Japanese physical version, the language can be changed to English (via Display on the main menu).
The Soundtrack
The soundtrack for Lollipop Chainsaw RePOP will be available on Steam on October 3rd!
In additional to the original tracks by Akira Yamaoka, RePOP includes new tracks from composers Nakamura Takayuki, who is known for his work on the Virtua Fighter and Lumines series; and Shuichiro Fukuhiro, who has made theme songs for a myriad of movies, dramas, and anime.
The soundtrack consists of 30 tracks showcasing the best of Lollipop Chainsaw's music, ranging from the boss battle themes to Juliet's theme song sung by vocalist MAIMIE.
Regarding Some Misinformation
We would also like to address some misinformation going around regarding the game:
It has been brought to our intention that there are claims that the alternate, optional RePOP Mode was implemented as a form of censorship as a way to appease platforms, and that it is indication that we will later be implementing further censorship via updates. We would like to make it clear that this is not the case: We have no intention to censor the game. The game's content, including Original Mode has already long been approved by the ERSB and all platforms. Our intentions behind RePOP mode were to: 1) Give players who are familiar with the original version of the game a slightly more refreshing experience; 2) Give consideration to players who might be interested in other aspects of the game but would prefer less gore; and 3) Alongside the Streamer Mode which disables licensed music, give consideration to players who might want to stream the game or upload videos.
(To further clarify for non-players, the default Original Mode does not implement any of the changes in RePOP Mode.)
It has also been brought to our attention that there are claims that we did not send out review codes for Lollipop Chainsaw RePOP, and that is the reason why there are few media reviews for the game available. This is simply not true: We sent out codes to over 60 media entities a week before launch, as well as to numerous Steam curators several days before. The inflammatory accusation that we were trying to hide something by not sending out review codes is factually wrong. We cannot speculate on why certain media outlets have not published reviews, but the suggestion that we withheld codes to avoid critique is patently false.
(To further clarify, the majority of reviews on Metacritic - 4 out of 7 for PS5 and 2 out of 3 for Xbox as of time of writing - Are from media outlets that requested and received review codes in advance. The claims originate from a specific outlet which did not ask and thus did not receive one. We received further requests from other media after sending out the initial batch of codes, but have not been able to handle them yet, as we are focusing all resources on improving the game at the moment.)
We appreciate the ongoing support and understanding. Communication might be sparse, but rest assured that this is because we are directing all our resources towards fixing all the issues that are being reported.
We will try to update this post as fitting to keep information up to date, but you can also get more frequent updates from producer Yoshimi Yasuda on Twitter (X) at @YasudaD5
(09/20: Added update regarding regional pricing, more information on planned updates in the Bugs, Fixes and Improvements section, and further clarifications regarding misinformation)