I started Saw 2 days ago on my PC (I would get it for the X360, just for the achievements, but I don't own one) and played through two chapters (about 2 hours,maybe more). I have to say that in spite of my expectations, I had fun, and will definitely see it to the end.

I'm not a big fan of the Saw movies, and I've only seen the first 2. First one was very cool, IMO, mostly thanks to Cary Elwes, one of my favorite actors. But nevertheless, I think Saw: The Video game has potential.

First of all, it is a really slow paced game (so far), and the ever present sense of dread doesn't make it easier to walk the corridors of the abandoned insane Asylum your character is trapped in. It does feel more like a survival game more than a horror game, since it isn't really scary, but the instinct for self-preservation is always there, in the back of your head. I've encountered several puzzles so far and about 4 enemies (the rest I managed to avoid or lure into a trap), but it is obvious that puzzles are the game's strong side (like most survival-horror games): they are more fun and challenging, and seem to capture the spirit of the movies perfectly. True, in the short time I played some puzzles already appeared several times, but in different variations, but it is still fun to solve them every single time.

The combat is a whole different thing. The enemies I was forced to fight face to face were not very clever, but for some reason they were quicker than my character, and could beat him half to death before I could lay a single blow on them. It is possible to dodge and counter attack, but the mechanism is a bit clunky and un predictable. The best way to is to avoid combat altogether, or set traps along the way (using some tripwires and shotgun shells).

The main reason I'm enjoying the game is because of Jigsaw, the killer from the movie series. His part in the movie is flawless and really sets the entire mood of each new area or puzzle. His voice acting is superb (not the rest of the characters are trash), and the cryptic clues he leaves behind are a delight to solve.

The only really annoying thing I've noticed are the quick-time events triggered by opening certain doors. They are too obvious and really hard to mess up. And they repeat way too often... It seems like they are there just for the sake of keeping the player on his toes (I was already on my toes, thank you very much) and for the sake of having QTEs.

Anyways, I still can't recommend anything, but if it keeps going in the same direction, and will manage to stay fresh, I don't see any reason why fans of the genre and the movie alike won't enjoy this game.