One day the official press release will be faster than the preview magazine cover, but until they develop some sort of magical network that spontaneously connects people all over the world our gaming news will come EGM cover first, then official release. Such is of course the case with Namco Bandai's revival of Splatterhouse, which we've known about for a couple of days now.

The press release does reveal that the game will feature the same characters from the original, including Terror Mask recipient Rick Taylor, his imperiled girlfriend Jennifer, and the iconic setting of West Manor, though a new story written by comic book writer Gordon Rennie (JUDGE DREDD!) will see Rick escaping the confines of the house, scouring the world to rescue his girl.

The promises brutal, combo-infused combat, a new leaping technique that adds a whole new element of explorations, and a regeneration mechanic that uses visible cues rather than a health meter to display Rick's status.

The game is coming to the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 in 2009. Hit the jump for the whole sticky mess.

NAMCO BANDAI GAMES ANNOUNCES SPLATTERHOUSE

Classic Action-Horror Franchise to Debut on the Xbox 360® and PLAYSTATION®3 System in 2009 with Gruesome Combat and Heart-Stopping Scares

SANTA CLARA, Calif., (May 29, 2008) ? NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc. today announced the long-awaited debut of the Splatterhouse franchise on next generation consoles with an all-new installment of the series for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system, developed by BottleRocket Entertainment. Inspired by the landmark 1988 arcade hit, Splatterhouse combines visceral, adrenaline-soaked combat with horror elements to deliver an original gaming experience that defies the boundaries of the traditional action category with over-the-top gore and shocking new gameplay mechanics.

Splatterhouse follows college student Rick Taylor as he tries to rescue his girlfriend, Jennifer, who has disappeared after entering the mysterious and run-down West Mansion. Confronted by horrific other-worldly creatures, Rick comes across a mystical sentient mask that promises to give him the power to find Jennifer. Full of desperation and rage, Rick puts on the ?Terror Mask? and is transformed into a juggernaut of pure violence and destruction. Featuring an original storyline by critically-acclaimed comic book writer Gordon Rennie (Necronauts, Judge Dredd), Splatterhouse takes Rick beyond the mansion as he scours the ends of the world to rescue his beloved Jennifer.

Embodying the unfiltered, primal aggression of its namesake, Splatterhouse gives players countless ways to decimate the mansion?s assortment of demons, monstrosities and abominations. Featuring a dynamic combat system, Rick will be able to use his brute strength to perform bone-crushing melee combos, savage grapples and wield an assortment of makeshift weapons including the series? trademark 2x4 and even limbs and heads ripped from enemies themselves. Players will also be able to reanimate the corpses of fallen enemies to fight alongside Rick, imparting strategic depth to the game?s battle and unique puzzle systems. More agile than ever before, Rick can now leap great distances and propel himself to out of reach areas by swinging from outcroppings in the environment, adding an all-new level of exploration to the series.

Introducing a new regeneration mechanic, players will be able to determine Rick?s status in battle by visible cues detailing how injured he is, doing away with the traditional health bar. If he succumbs to the mansion?s deadly inhabitants, they will begin to dismember him, savagely tearing away limbs and ripping at his flesh to expose his internal organs. To survive, Rick must call upon the power of the Terror Mask to regenerate his mutilated body, allowing players to watch in gory detail as bones, veins, muscles and skin return to his body in real-time.

?Splatterhouse promises to deliver an experience full of the gore, hard-hitting action and gritty atmosphere that fans of the franchise expect,? said Todd Thorson, Director of Marketing and Public Relations for NAMCO BANDAI Games America, Inc. ?Packed with plenty of surprise twists and gripping gameplay, this entirely new entry in the series is set to introduce the bloody saga of Rick and the Terror Mask to a new generation of gamers when it launches in 2009.?

Splatterhouse will launch for the Xbox 360 and PLAYSTATION 3 system in 2009. The game is currently featured on the cover of the June issue of EGM, now available at newsstands nationwide. For more information, please visit www.namcobandaigames.com.