Unleashing Terror: How The Texas Chain Saw Massacre Leaves Friday the 13th: The Game in the Dust

Highlights

Gun Interactive, the publisher, brings their expertise in the asymmetric horror genre from their previous game, Friday the 13th. However, due to unfortunate legal complications, Friday the 13th will be delisted by the end of 2023.

The Texas Chain Saw Massacre sets itself apart from Dead by Daylight by staying true to its source material. It allows players to fully immerse themselves in the brutal violence of the film, while also providing engaging gameplay mechanics and objectives for both killers and victims. With dedicated support and licensing, the game shows great promise for success and has the potential to make a significant impact on the slasher franchise.

Scheduled for release next month, The Texas Chain Saw Massacre is a new addition to the online asymmetric competitive survival horror genre. It faithfully adapts the groundbreaking 1974 film of the same name, offering a uniquely immersive experience that pays homage to the original. While the genre may be relatively niche and recent, the immense success of Dead by Daylight since its launch in 2016 suggests that now is the perfect time for The Texas Chain Saw Massacre to make its mark.

Friday the 13th: The Game Stayed Closer to the Source Material than Dead by Daylight

Taking a bold risk, publisher Gun Interactive ventured into a volatile niche of the industry where titles like Video Horror Society have come and gone without much attention. However, this is not Gun Interactive's first foray into this genre. Back in 2017, they launched Friday the 13th: The Game, positioning it as a strong contender in the realm of asymmetric horror. Despite encountering legal battles and facing competition from Dead by Daylight, Friday the 13th faced significant challenges and unfortunately, it will be discontinued at the end of 2023.

While Dead by Daylight has introduced various iconic horror characters throughout its existence, no other game has solely focused on the Friday the 13th franchise like Friday the 13th: The Game. Interestingly, Dead by Daylight's Trapper killer draws inspiration from Jason Voorhees himself, and in hindsight, the absence of official licensing seems logical. Due to legal disputes involving the creators of the original Friday the 13th film (where Jason wasn't even the killer), it's unsurprising that the game adaptation has faced similar challenges as the movie series as a whole.

Friday the 13th: The Game showcased numerous similarities to Dead by Daylight’s formula, yet the licensed title managed to remain more faithful to its source material. With nine playable Jason Voorheeses representing different iconic appearances from the franchise, players had a range of unique methods to track down and eliminate the counselors attempting to flee Camp Crystal Lake. While the asymmetric multiplayer genre inherently faces the challenge of intentional imbalance, Dead by Daylight has successfully adapted to overcome it, whereas Texas Chain Saw appears to embrace it wholeheartedly.

The Texas Chain Saw Massacre's Official Support is Highly Promising

While Jason may directly eliminate his opponents, the killers in Dead by Daylight typically must hang survivors on mystical meat hooks for a specific duration, in accordance with the game's narrative. The Entity's control is also reflected in the presence of magical power generators and escape hatches, providing objectives for the survivors. However, Texas Chain Saw deviates from this formula, opting instead to faithfully portray the film's violence. Leatherface and his family members can all brutally and faithfully kill victims, with support from the series' intellectual property holders. In contrast, victims are tasked with a straightforward yet intense objective: escaping the dilapidated Slaughter family house through one of four available means.

The Texas Chain Saw Massacre has the potential to elevate its niche genre to new heights. The absence of legal disputes surrounding the license, combined with the unwavering commitment from developer Sumo Digital, creates a promising outlook for the game. The 9th generation edition will feature crossplay, and an exclusive companion soundtrack album based on intricate background lore adds to the excitement. This game has the potential to shine a spotlight on both itself and the overall slasher franchise it represents. With meticulously crafted new members of the Slaughter family, this asymmetric horror experience could bring fresh diversity to the genre for years to come. Look out for the release of The Texas Chain Saw Massacre on August 18, 2023, available on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.