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Saw Lore Contained Within SAW: The Videogame

Hello! My name is Kris and today I am going to be going over all the lore bits you can find through collecting case files in the third-person action game that was made for the Saw franchise. I will only be covering the actual plot of this game very briefly, since it is basically just a gap filling narrative that ties into the movies.

I will be making a second post for Saw II: Flesh & Blood, the second third-person action game made for the franchise.

Walk with me! I wanna play a game...

TW: Sui mentions, descriptions of canon-typical violence, drug use mentions, basically it's about Saw so be careful I love you.

The first game is set directly after the first movie-- detective Tapp has been kidnapped and treated for his bullet wound, and now he has to play one of the Jigsaw Killer's games in order to let go of his obsession. Along the way he runs into some familiar faces and ultimately either ends up admitted to a mental hospital (I know. It sucks. I know I hate it too.) or taking his own life in his apartment.

There are some fun nods to some of the more popular traps in the Saw franchise– those will be included and labeled as well throughout the post. Disclaimer: I will not be covering any material that is not directly relevant to the movie franchise this game is based on. If it’s in the game and you don’t see it here, it’s skippable, I promise.

WARNING: Both this and my next post about Saw II: Flesh & Blood will be LONG. Settle in for the ride and enjoy the lore!!

Quick note before I really get into it here, and really just a fact that I personally really love: the main menu screen of this game is a 3D render of the bathroom from Saw (2004). If you navigate to the audio options menu, adjusting the volume of any of the settings causes the sound of chains rattling and someone (likely supposed to be Adam due to the dialogue used) shouting things like ‘let me out!’ or ‘I didn’t do anything!’. It’s both a hilarious and ineffective way of presenting this.

Trap Reference: The Reverse Bear Trap

Tapp wakes in a bathroom (note that this is simply a bathroom, and not the bathroom) with a reverse bear trap on his head. That’s the reference– they blow that load literally right away.

Trap Reference: The Venus Flytrap

Here we briefly see someone killed by the same trap that was featured at the beginning of Saw II.

Going to take this moment to briefly touch on the fact that Amanda is in this videogame as a non-playable character. She is being tested (again, I know) and Tapp has to save her from her test. Suffice to say that her use here is boring, extremely out of character, and just a very thin grab at a character anyone would recognize. So I won’t be getting into any of her escapades here.

Trap Reference: Razorwire Maze

Just a quick walk-by scenery element, really, this guy behind a window seems to have gotten the ol’ Paul Leahy treatment.

Case File: Partial Medical File

This seems to be a partially redacted medical file on a patient whose name is not revealed. We are obviously meant to assume that this is in reference to John Kramer– it’s just the age that gives me pause. However, we’re meant to believe that man was fifty fucking two when he died in Saw III, so it’s probably just an inconsistency in the game.

“NAME: [BLACKED OUT]

PATIENT ID #: 825-361-3127

DATE: April 14th, 1998

CONSULTATION

DOCTOR’S NOTES - Upon initial assessment, [BLACKED OUT] presents as a well-spoken man with a firm grasp upon reality. Patient 34 years old. Married for 2 years. Wife 4 months pregnant.

Denies necessity of psychological treatment, but has kept appointment at the request of his wife, who insisted on visitation due to a concern over growing isolationistic tendencies.

Patient displays high degree of verbal acuity and is very observant. Initial tests suggest a very high IQ, with an extraordinary ability to recall facts. [BLACKED OUT] expressed pride at his intelligence and knowledge. Exhibits need to point out the weaknesses in others. Insists the behavioral changes are that of his wife who “no longer understands” him.

Patient is polite and cordial, but non-compliant. Seems to take pleasure in obfuscating answers and attempting to trick questioner. Patient’s demeanor is calm and controlled. Shows disconnect with the emotions of other individuals and general lack of empathy toward humanity. Verbally expresses true affection for his wife and expectant child, but does not outwardly display so when discussing them.

After initial consultation [BLACKED OUT] does not feel a need for future visitations. Have scheduled a follow-up appointment with the option to cancel with 24 hours notice, just in case he changes his mind.

Patient displays tendencies towards depression and Narcissistic Personality Disorder.”

Case File: Jigsaw Survivor Found

A newspaper clipping discussing Amanda.

“Until now, the Jigsaw Killer has never left anyone alive. Amanda Young is now the first and only known survivor of the Jigsaw Killer. Details about Young are forthcoming, and she has yet to make a statement regarding her capture.”

Case File: Jigsaw Survivor Speaks

Another newspaper clipping involving Amanda.

“‘He saved my life.’ These were the words spoken by Amanda Young, only known survivor of the Jigsaw Killer, at a press conference on the steps of City Hall yesterday morning. A police spokesperson stopped Young from revealing too much from the case, but let Young talk about what she felt during that desperate time.”

Trap Reference: Shotgun Collar

Pretty straightforward! This guy begs us to get the thing off of him and then it works as intended.

Actually, we see it again just after, but this time Jigsaw has knocked Tapp unconscious and put a shotgun collar onto him as well.

Film Reference: Adam’s(?) Camera

Pictured below, Tapp will eventually encounter a camera. Written above it is the phrase ‘a picture is worth a thousand words’. Picking up said camera will give the player the ability to take a photo, activating the flash and illuminating the room for a precious few half-seconds. It’s a terrible mechanic in-game, and an obvious reference to Adam’s navigating his apartment using the same method in Saw (2004).

Trap Reference: Pendulum

Guys this one really boggles me / makes me quite mad, actually. This trap is an obvious reference to the pendulum from the beginning of Saw V. The blade is oriented at the opposite angle, though, meant to cut Jennings (a character who literally does not matter, trust me) long-ways rather than across, like Baxter. It’s a bastardization, but then I might just be biased as the resident Hoffman liker.

Case File: Negligence Leads to Officer’s Death

A newspaper clipping that is speaking about detective Sing’s death in Saw (2004), pinning the blame on Tapp for his rash actions.

“By Oswald McGillicutty

If it wasn’t bad enough that there is a killer out there mashing up taxpayers into itty bits, now we have the cops to worry about, too. To his own admission, Detective David Tapp completely disregarded process and went rogue, convincing his partner, Detective Steven Sing, to join him in an unwarranted entry to catch the Jigsaw Killer.

Not only did they break into Jigsaw’s secret hideout without a warrant, but they didn’t wait for any backup either, probably hoping to get all the glory for themselves. Well, Jigsaw got the drop on them, slicing Tapp’s throat from ear to ear and nailing Sing in the top of the head with a double barrel shotgun.

All of this was confirmed by witness Jeff Thomas, who was in one of Jigsaw’s little traps. He claimed Sing saved his neck, but when Tapp got sliced and Sing got blasted, good ol’ Jeff was stuck in the trap until help arrived.”

Case File: Decorated Detective Discharged

A newspaper clipping discussing Tapp’s discharge from the MPD– this one actually mentions Hoffman being the replacement for head officer on the case.

“By Oswald McGillicutty

Globe Staff Writer

Detective David Tapp, the lead officer in the Jigsaw Killer case, resigned yesterday due to unknown circumstances. The shooting death earlier this week of his partner, Detective Sing, is suspected to be a factor in the detective’s resignation, but Tapp could not be reached for comment.

‘Tapp was a fine officer and defender of the law, and we will miss him,’ was the only comment given by the police spokesperson.

Detective Mark Hoffman, a similarly decorated officer, will be taking over lead position on the case.”

Case File: Partial Medical File (2)

Another medical file seemingly written by a therapist in reference to, again, who we are probably meant to assume is John Kramer.

“PATIENT ID #: 825-361-3127

DOCTOR’S NOTES

[BLACKED OUT] continues to show up to appointments despite questioning need for psychiatric treatment. States that he ‘knows more about medicine and the mind’ than any of the staff. Mocks staff credentials and is often uncommunicative during therapy. Claims traditional psychiatric medicine fails patients by not offering them ‘real choices’.

Patient displays familiarity with psychological / psychiatric language. Patient states that he is well aware of his own childhood history and its potential psychological ramifications. Describes authoritarian, punitive father and absent, passive mother. Insists that his superior intelligence and self-control make childhood history of physical, mental and verbal abuse unimportant.

Patient denies history of his own violent and impulsive behavior, citing memory lapses. Our conversations reveal the [BLACKED OUT] often manipulates others for his own amusement. Patient shows no remorse at negative effects his behavior has on other people. Views others as objects / pawns.

Based on [BLACKED OUT]’s behavior and history, I recommend inpatient treatment. Patient refuses to consider this option.

Raise Haldol to 5 mg / twice daily. Raise chlorpromazine to 50 mg nightly.”

For those who are curious, ‘chlorpromazine’ is Thorazine, a medication used typically to treat conditions such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. ‘Haldol’, or ‘haloperidol’ is also typically used to treat schizophrenia.

Film Reference: ‘X Marks the Spot’

Very straightforward, just writing on the wall instructing Tapp to find the ‘X’ that marks ‘the spot’. Clear reference to one of the tapes’ clues from Saw (2004).

And there you have it! That is all of the relevant lore and a few of the references to the films in Saw: The Videogame. My recommendation is this: if you are a Saw fan, please do yourself a favor and find a nice, no-commentary longplay of this game to watch. It’s hilariously bad, but if you’re a diehard Sawliker you might find some real good laughs there for you.

Thanks for reading, and look out for my post on Saw II: Flesh & Blood– I’ll probably start working on it right after this one is posted! The second game has MUCH more relevant lore about a lot of characters (some of which we don’t get much info on to begin with), so please stay tuned! I’ll link it in an edit of this post once it’s done.

Oh, and if you have any questions or anything funny to share in reference to this game, PLEASE don't hesitate to send me an ask! I'm basically a font of knowledge about these two spinoff games. :)

Have a good one! Remember to cherish your life! <3

EDIT: The post is done for Saw II: Flesh & Blood! Read it here!

#saw #thank u MAAAAAARK >:)

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