Lollipop Chainsaw 2 is officially in development
Juliet Starling is returning in Lollipop Chainsaw 2: Back2Back, an official sequel to the zombie hack-and-slash game released more than 14 years ago. The new project is being produced by Nada Holdings and Dragami Games, the team behind the 2024 remaster Lollipop Chainsaw Repop, alongside JP Games.
JP Games is led by former Square Enix executive and Final Fantasy 15 director Hajime Tabata. The sequel also brings back original scenario writer Masahiro Yuki and artist Nekoshogun. James Gunn and Goichi Suda, who were involved with the original game, do not appear to be part of the new project.
The early presentation aims to retain the series’ deliberately campy mix of cheerleading, chainsaws and undead spectacle. However, a playable build shown at Tokyo Game Show suggests the sequel still needs substantial refinement.
A new zombie movie world
The story moves Juliet from San Romero to a transformed city called Jaredwood, a metropolis built around the film industry. The official premise places her inside a warped zombie film controlled by a mysterious director. Juliet must work with her friends to expose the conspiracy and confront a growing threat of corrupt zombies.
That setting gives Back2Back room to continue the franchise’s exaggerated tone while introducing a new backdrop. The Tokyo Game Show demo, however, only offers a brief look at how the larger story will work.
Familiar combat with some new movement options
The playable section largely follows the original formula. Juliet combines cheerleading attacks with chainsaw strikes against slow-moving zombie groups, with bright animations and deliberately over-the-top finishing moments.
She can equip roller skates to move quickly through crowds, while another manoeuvre drives the chainsaw into the ground and launches her forwards, damaging anything in the path. These additions could give the sequel more variety once the systems are fully developed.
The demo’s camera was less convincing. It sometimes made abrupt, untidy zooms during cinematic kills. The effect occasionally suited the action, but the inconsistent presentation also made the build feel unfinished.
An early demo that needs more polish
One notable omission was spoken dialogue. Apart from a handful of zombie noises, Juliet, her returning boyfriend Nick — still appearing as a severed head — and the Barbie-inspired zombie boss Zorbie were silent during the demo.
Without voice work, the short preview felt repetitive and unusually flat for such a theatrical series. There is still time for the developers to improve the experience, as Lollipop Chainsaw 2: Back2Back is scheduled for release sometime in 2027.
Platforms and what to watch next
Lollipop Chainsaw 2: Back2Back is confirmed for PlayStation 5. No other platforms, launch date or additional release details are stated in the available information.
For Australian players following arcade-inspired action games and unusual Japanese productions, the project is worth keeping on the radar rather than treating the demo as a finished showcase. Browse the latest arcade news and gaming coverage, explore arcade videos, or use the arcade machine buying guide while waiting for more information.
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