Visually the game is pretty, especially if you find gore appealing as I do. While sticking to the "on a rail" type of game play, the visuals are awe-inspiring. Plenty variety in the monster creation, lots of damage locations and effects, and wonderfully detailed environments show off HOTD's gruesome atmosphere, with the beauty it deserves. The game runs without a hitch or drop in frame rate, even with tons of enemies, gunfire, and explosions abound. Did I mention the game is gory? Get out your mop buckets, as there is a lot of cleaning up to do after this adventure is said and done. For the squeamish, the option of green blood is there, but at least red blood doesn't have to be unlocked this time. The levels are actually pretty large considering the game type, but not many levels to go through is a bummer. Nice lighting and textures also round out the package in a pretty, little, blood soaked bow.

Audio hasn't changed much in the series. Reprising the horrid, campy, B-movie voice acting, HOTD 3 does pretty much what is expected of it. Loud gunfire, squishes and splats of the bloody body parts, frantic orchestrated music, and did I mention the voice acting? Honestly though, it's not as bad as the past incarnations, but still not Metal Gear quality. All this and done in pure Xbox fashion: 5.1 Dolby digital audio! Who could ask for anything more?

Game play is also what you'd expect from this type of genre. You don't obviously move your character about, just the cursor of your weapon. Unfortunately, none of the new fandango gun options were included for the HOTD 3. No duck or side-to-side maneuvers, and obviously no motion sensor action like Police 911. One thing is for certain though, your hand will cramp in a hurry as the game is a much faster and hectic paced game, with lots of enemies and quicker reaction times are needed. The controller plays surprisingly well, but to get the true feeling and accuracy, you might want to shell out the 40 bucks for the Mad Catz gun. (Which works really well and is HDTV supported!)

There is also plenty "bang for your buck" in HOTD 3. Sure the game is only roughly 30 minutes in length, and roughly 5 levels long, but add multiple difficulty levels and branching storylines to the mix and plenty of replay value is afoot. Want more? How about unlocking House of the Dead 2 for added appeal? That's right, just complete the survivor (story) mode and you are treated to the full version of the classic HOTD 2. I'm not talking about just the game either, all the extras from the Dreamcast version are there too! Still want more? How about a special behind the scenes making of: The House of the Dead movie? That's right! The movie is coming out in 2003 and a special 20 minute making of and exclusive footage from the movie is intact in the game, completely uncensored with all the gore and language. While the movie is going to be for fans of the game and horror genre ONLY, as it looks really campy, the addition of this featurette is a plus. Heck I'm the Boogeyman, so I'm there if it's in theaters or straight to DVD. It even has Ellie Cornell from Halloween 4 & 5... so who's a die-hard horror fan now? HOTD 3 offers tons of replay and value, and throw in the light gun and the experience is one that shouldn't be missed by any fan of the series.

It's nice to see this game come to "light" and finally get a release. It was better than I expected it to be, but still won't draw any new fans who never liked light gun titles in the past. If you know what you're getting into, are a fan of the series, love blood, guts, horror and gore, look no further than buying HOTD 3 for the Xbox. it could be the best 50 (game only), 90 (game + 1 gun), or even 120 (game + 2 guns) dollars well spent, depending on your appetite.