Best of the series
Splatterhouse 2 was an awesome game. But one could argue the gameplay as 'mindless'. Splatterhouse does not that problem at all. The developers took the gore down a notch and beefed up the playability. Wimps who couldn't touch level 4 in Splatterhouse 2 (myself included) can make it in this game, but they'll never get the good ending.
The graphics in this game are awesome. Some of the best 2d beat 'em up graphics on the genesis. You'll have no trouble telling who you're head butting or power slamming. Or hitting with a bat, or chopping, or slashing..
The sound and music are more forgettable than SH2, and don't haunt my dreams as much as SH2. I'd say the sound effects are better but the music doesn't really add to the atmosphere like SH2 did.
As for the creep factor, it's a totally different feeling you get than SH2. As was "why am I killing" now is "will I save my family?" Each level in SH3 is a race against time. There is a clock in a corner of the screen, when you start the level you'll have an objective. A map is laid out via the start button (after a room is clear of ghouls) showing your destination, an "X" marking the spot. Depending on what level you're on, you'll fight room to room trying to save your wife or son. After so many minutes, when you move on to another room you'll receive an update on your endangered loved one "A monster's hand appears behind David.." adding a huge creep factor for this game. If you don't fight fast enough, your loved ones will die. SH2 masters will have no problem saving Rick's family, but the wimps who couldn't get to level 4 on SH2 will always beat the game with a dead family.
Rick's arsenal of ass-kickery is beefed up this time by being able to power up his mask. Occasionally finding 'power stones' while going room to room, Rick can transform into a hulk that could kick his doppelganger, Jason Voorhees, ass. SH3 puts in the gameplay that was missed in SH2. But, it doesn't have the same atmosphere and wtf factor SH2 had. However, the controls are not even close to clunky this time around, and this game deserves every praise it gets. A classic for the genesis. Good luck finding it cheap on ebay.