| Title | The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2023) |
| Genre | Horror |
| Release Date | August 18, 2023 |
| Platforms | Xbox Series S/X, Xbox One, PlayStation 4/5, PC |
| Rating | 3 out of 5 |
Summary
“The Texas Chainsaw Massacre” is a unique asymmetrical multiplayer horror game from Gun Interactive, based on the iconic 1974 horror film of the same name. It takes a fresh approach to the asymmetrical horror genre, offering an intriguing twist on the traditional formula.
In each game session, three formidable members of the Slaughter family, notorious for their terrifying deeds, join forces to stalk and capture a group of four resourceful teenagers.
What sets this game apart is the collaborative effort of the psychopathic killers, working in unison to ensnare and ultimately dispatch their high school aged prey. The emphasis here is on communication and teamwork among the killers, a departure from the more solitary roles usually found in horror games.
As the victim, you will have to use your wits and teamwork to find a way out of the nightmare, while avoiding or fighting back against the Slaughter family and their traps. You will also have to deal with the random events that can change the course of the game, such as encountering other survivors or enemies, or having more killers join the hunt.
As a Slaughter family killer, you will have to use your senses and skills to track down and catch the friends, while setting up traps and using your abilities to your advantage. You will also have to deal with the challenges that can make the game harder, such as having less time or resources, or having more victims escape.
The game also has a progression system, where players can unlock new skins, perks, and executions for both the victims and the Slaughter family.
The game is a faithful adaptation of the film, with its graphics, sound design, and atmosphere capturing the horror and tension of the original. The game also adds new elements and features that make it more fun and replayable. The game is a must play for fans of the film and horror games in general.
Players
The possible players in the video game “The Texas Chain Saw Massacre” are as follows:
The Friends
These are the four players who control the victims of the Slaughter family. They can choose from five characters, each with their own personality, appearance, and stats. They are:
Sally Hardesty: She is the main protagonist of the film and the game. She is a smart and brave college student who is visiting her grandfather’s grave with her friends. She has high intelligence and stamina, but low strength and speed.
Franklin Hardesty: He is Sally’s brother and a wheelchair user. He is a nervous and paranoid person who often complains and whines. He has high strength and intelligence, but low speed and stamina.
Jerry: He is Sally’s boyfriend and a photographer. He is a friendly and optimistic person who likes to take pictures of everything. He has high speed and stamina, but low strength and intelligence.
Kirk: He is one of Sally’s friends and Pam’s boyfriend. He is a curious and adventurous person who likes to explore new places. He has high speed and strength, but low stamina and intelligence.
Pam: She is one of Sally’s friends and Kirk’s girlfriend. She is a sweet and gentle person who loves nature and astrology. She has high intelligence and stamina, but low speed and strength.
The Slaughter Family
This is the player who controls the killer of the Slaughter family. They can choose from four characters, each with their own abilities, weapons, and traps. They are:
Leatherface: He is the main antagonist of the film and the game. He is a large and deformed man who wears a mask made of human skin and wields a chainsaw. He has high strength and speed, but low intelligence and stealth. His abilities are:
The Chase: When his rage bar is full, he can activate this mode where he runs faster and deals more damage with his chainsaw.
The Hook: He can use his meat hook to hang his victims on hooks around the map, making them bleed out faster.
The Mask: He can change his mask to alter his personality and stats. He has three masks to choose from: The Pretty Woman, The Old Lady, and The Hitchhiker.
Nubbins: He is Leatherface’s brother and the hitchhiker from the film. He is a skinny and psychotic man who likes to play with fire and corpses. He has high stealth and intelligence, but low strength and speed. His abilities are:
The Molotov: He can throw molotov cocktails at his victims, setting them on fire and damaging them over time.
The Camera: He can use his camera to blind his victims with its flash, making them vulnerable to attacks.
The Corpse: He can use his brother’s corpse as a shield or a weapon, depending on the situation.
Chop Top: He is Leatherface’s other brother and Nubbins’ twin. He is a crazy and sadistic man who has a metal plate on his head that he scratches with a coat hanger. He has high speed and stealth, but low strength and intelligence. His abilities are:
The Hanger: He can use his coat hanger to stab his victims in the eyes or ears, causing them to lose their vision or hearing temporarily.
The Boombox: He can use his boombox to play loud music that attracts or distracts his victims, depending on the song.
The Car: He can use his car to run over his victims or ram into obstacles, creating explosions or debris.
Drayton: He is Leatherface’s father and the owner of the gas station from the film. He is an old and cunning man who pretends to be friendly but is actually evil. He has high intelligence and strength, but low speed and stealth. His abilities are:
The Shotgun: He can use his shotgun to shoot his victims from a distance, dealing high damage but requiring reloading after each shot.
The Chili: He can use his chili pot to cook human meat that he can feed to his victims, poisoning them or making them vomit.
The Phone: He can use his phone to call for backup from his family or other allies, such as bikers or cultists.
Gameplay
In “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre” multiplayer horror game, players are thrust into an intense murderific showdown. Three formidable murderers take on the roles of relentless pursuers, while a group of four elusive teenagers must band together to escape their clutches.
While the game shares similarities with other asymmetrical horror titles like Dead By Daylight and Friday the 13th, it distinguishes itself in a significant way. Here, it’s not just a group of survivors evading a single psychopath. Instead, an entire team of psychopaths collaborates to ensnare and ultimately eliminate their teenage victims.
Both sides now depend on effective communication and teamwork to secure victory, adding depth and complexity to the gameplay experience.
After you play the game awhile and figure out the traps and maps, each scenario becomes a bit familiar and may become less exciting.
If you are a fan of horror and of the original movie, the nostalgia factor may be enough to keep you engaged in gameplay!
Graphics and Sound
The graphics and sound in the video game “The Texas Chain Saw Massacre” are very impressive and immersive, creating a realistic and horrifying experience for the players. The game uses the Unreal Engine 4, which allows for high quality graphics, lighting, shadows, and animations.
The game also uses photogrammetry, a technique that scans real objects and environments and converts them into digital models. This makes the game look very authentic and faithful to the film, as the game recreates the original locations, props, and costumes from the film.
The sound design in the game is also very effective and atmospheric, enhancing the mood and tension of the game. The game uses the original soundtrack from the film, composed by Tobe Hooper and Wayne Bell, which consists of eerie and disturbing sounds that create a sense of dread and unease.
The game also uses realistic and dynamic sound effects, such as the roar of the chainsaw, the screams of the victims, and the ambient noises of the environment. The game also features voice acting from the original cast of the film, as well as new actors who portray the new characters in the game. The voice acting is very convincing and expressive, adding more personality and emotion to the characters.
Replayability
The replayability of the video game “The Texas Chain Saw Massacre” is high, as the game offers different scenarios, characters, and events that can make each match unique and unpredictable.
The game also has a progression system that allows players to unlock new skins, perks, and executions for both the victims and the Slaughter family, adding more variety and customization to the game.
The game also supports cross-play and cross-progression across all platforms, making it easier for players to play with their friends or switch between devices without losing their progress.
The game is constantly updated with new content and features, such as new maps, modes, killers, and victims, keeping the game fresh and exciting.
Upon its release, the game boasts three distinct multiplayer maps: the Family House, the Gas Station, and the Slaughterhouse. The promise of future updates introducing fresh locations holds the potential to elevate the game’s replayability, offering players exciting new challenges and experiences.
The game is a challenging and fun experience for both horror fans and casual gamers alike.
Technical Issues
Network error: This is a common issue that prevents some players from joining matches or connecting with friends in a private party.
Game not launching: This is another issue that affects some players who try to start the game on their PC or console.
Low FPS: This is an issue that causes the game to run at a low frame rate, resulting in poor performance and graphics quality.
Conclusion
The Texas Chain Saw Massacre is a video game that I would recommend to anyone who enjoys horror games and movies. The game is a faithful adaptation of the classic 1974 film of the same name, which is widely regarded as one of the most influential and terrifying horror films of all time. The game captures the essence and atmosphere of the film, with its realistic and immersive graphics, sound design, and gameplay.
‘The Texas Chain Saw Massacre’ presents an intriguing departure from the conventional asymmetrical horror genre, offering a unique gameplay experience where three relentless murderers pursue a team of four evasive teens. The emphasis on communication and teamwork on both sides adds depth and engagement to the gameplay.
The game can be challenging and rewarding, as it requires strategy, coordination, communication, and skill to win.
The game is not without its flaws, however. The game suffers from some technical issues that can affect the gameplay experience, such as network errors, game not launching, or low FPS. These issues can be frustrating and annoying for players who want to enjoy the game without any interruptions or problems. The developers have acknowledged and fixed some of these issues, but others are still being investigated.
The game also lacks some content and variety that could make it more replayable and enjoyable. The game only has three scenarios and four killers to choose from, which can get repetitive and boring after a while. The game could benefit from more maps, modes, killers, and victims to add more diversity and creativity to the game. The game also has a steep learning curve and balance issues that can make it hard for new or casual players to get into the game or have fun.
While ‘The Texas Chain Saw Massacre’ might not be considered essential gaming, it does offer an intriguing choice for aficionados of the horror genre seeking a novel approach to asymmetrical horror experiences. Fans of the original movie will particularly relish the nostalgic elements, finding themselves more deeply engaged and excited by the familiar echoes of the classic film.
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