Based on the 1974 movie of the same name, “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre” is a multiplayer horror game that involves escaping the Slaughter family, a vicious group of cannibals whose only goal is to kill you. Released Aug. 18, the game consists of three killers and four victims, each with their own special ability and stats. The game provides a refreshing yet formulaic twist on the horror genre, capturing the charm and horror of the original movie franchise, and here’s why:
The game is very reminiscent of similar titles like “Friday the 13th: The Game” and “Dead by Daylight.” All have a similar premise: escape the killer. I was an avid player of both of these games and after playing them all extensively, I’d argue that “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre” is better and improves upon broken elements of both games.
Both “Friday the 13th” and “Dead by Daylight” came out less than a year apart. They were a refreshing addition to the more narrative-focused story games at the time. Both are killer vs. victim games that allowed you to play as either, and there was something captivating about being able to play and play against some iconic horror movie killers. “Friday the 13th” had you playing against the infamous Jason Voorhees in some of the iconic maps from the movie franchise, like Camp Crystal Lake. “Dead by Daylight” had killers like Michael Myers and Freddy Kruger, each with their own map with locations from the movies. At one point in time, these games were amazing, but they didn’t last.
“Friday the 13th,” halted its updates just years after its release. The game’s publisher, Gun Media, spent years dealing with legal problems over the brand of Jason Voorhees, but its license is not being renewed. This will prevent the game from being purchased after Dec. 31, 2023, thus effectively ending the game's reign altogether. “Dead by Daylight” is still receiving consistent updates and new additions but the community surrounding it is, in my opinion, unbearable. With unfair updates and continuous attempts at bleeding the players’ wallets dry, many fans are fed up.
For me, it was almost like a miracle touched down on earth with the release of “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre.” The gameplay is adrenaline-pumping, challenging and frustratingly addicting. Also a game published by Gun Media, the initial launch was smooth with little-to-no problems, and updates so far have been free. Before the game came out, I was playing “Dead by Daylight” here and there with friends, though I loathed every second of it. “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre” feels fresh and doesn’t suffer from the rage-inducing problems “Dead by Daylight” does.
I’ve even noticed the community surrounding the game is better. If you’re even a little bit familiar with “Dead by Daylight,” you’re probably aware of the toxic community infecting it. Ever-changing metas and players that bloat the game to its absolute worst are just some examples of the many downfalls. So far, I think “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre” is garnering a relatively good player base and developers that actually care about that game.
While the game is still very new, I think it’s one to keep an eye on as the months progress. I’m so excited to see the development and where the direction of the game goes next. I hope that the game stays active and doesn’t run into the same problems “Friday the 13th” ran into. The game is available on console and PC, so if you get a chance, give it a try!
Haylee Leasure is a sophomore studying journalism. Please note that the opinions expressed in this column do not reflect those of The Post. Want to talk about the column? Email Haylee at hl125421@ohio.edu.
