Few horror films have garnered such a bloody and macabre reputation as The Texas Chain Saw Massacre series, so it’s only right that a game adaptation be just as terrifying. While fans are used to the plight of the victims in the movies, the game also lets players rev the chainsaw and become one of the dreadful killers that appear in the films. With roots in the horror asynchronous genre, many are quite familiar with the aim of the game, but how does an iconic IP make it it’s own? Give the trailer a rev below and I’ll tell you all about it after!

In recent years there’s been a rise in asynchronous games, specifically horror games. There’s something about the mismatched survivor vs killer dynamic that really appeals to players out for a challenge. It’s cat vs mouse in its most diluted form. Players seeking that thrill are drawn to the genre because not only is it really challenging but it also allows you to feel the thrill of running for your life in the game. It’s quite a scary concept, being pitted against another player whose goal is to kill you. The Texas Chain Saw Massacre understands this assignment well. Where other games have focused on one pursuer, this game adds more killers to really increase the game’s difficulty! Each game consists of four “Victims” and three “Family Members”. Victims must try to navigate the game avoiding the Family as they seek to escape which is a lot harder than it sounds. The Family are brutal. Their role in the game is to stop survivors escaping by any means necessary which leads to some pulse-stopping moments as they close in.

Much like other asynchronous games, Texas Chain Saw Massacre also employs a perk system allowing each of the characters to access to their own set of skills that they can use to gain an edge on the opposing group as well as an individual ability unique to them. The idea is that players build loadouts that aid them in escaping or killing the other side. This becomes the backbone of the game as it rewards continuous gameplay with special enhancements to the playstyles that further how you can navigate the game. The perk system is built gradually via an unlockable perk tree, allowing players to progressively add to their collection of buffs and enhancements.

There are currently five Victims and five Family killers for players to choose from depending on what side of the game they wish to experience. The majority of my time was spent as a Victim playing as Leland and Connie but when I was playing as the Family I found Leatherface, Johnny and Sissy the most satisfying to play. 

The Victims are fairly agile but constricted by their surroundings, their health also deteriorates over the match. Much of their gameplay involves completing noise-based skill checks that could alert the Family if players aren’t careful. Noise becomes a beacon in the game that allows the killing side the ability to see where the noise was made. For those looking for a fight, they can attack the Family and even Grandpa but these are mainly just stuns that buy the surviving group time to put distance between them and the Family. The perks aid in their plight to escape by changing the way they approach the gameplay and each of the Victims’ special abilities further aids them. Due to a longer cooldown, however, this is less reliable in a pinch. 

Playing as The Family is basically the tactile opposite to playing as a Victim. All of these murderous members aren’t to be trifled with and should be avoided as much as possible. While they aren’t typically as agile as the Victims, they don’t need to be. Much of your time playing as the Family is devoted to corralling Victims and weakening them over time until they are ready to be executed. Leatherface also has the added bonus of a chainsaw that functions as a tool to destroy your surroundings and make it more difficult for survivors to hide when you aren’t revving after a Victim.

From the get go, tension is what makes a match of The Texas Chain Saw Massacre. Victims have to escape being tied up through skill checks while listening to one of their own fall prey to a chainsaw. Starting in a basement in each location, Victims have to first escape via several locked staircases on the map using tools found scattered around. They then continue overcoming barriers such as gates, locked doors, generators and even electrified grates as the Family stalks around after them. This leads to an ever-present caution where one needs to be constantly aware of their surroundings when playing as a Victim. One wrong skill check or poor hiding spot could lead to a chase with very bloody consequences. When the family does find you or comes very close, escaping feels exhilarating but not at all easy. Sometimes you just aren’t fast enough or your intended escape route is blocked. Dying in this game does feel high stakes too because you aren’t given multiple chances like the hook system in Dead by Daylight. Here, if you don’t get away quick enough, you’re gone. This also means that if you do escape, you’ll need to heal or else your wounds might be what stops you.

If you’re familiar with any of the films, you’ll absolutely adore the maps in the game that feel like the locations have come to life. The level of detail is incredible though you rarely get to take it all in as your attention lies elsewhere. If one has ever watched the movies and thought “Wow, I wish I could be chased by a family of homicidal cannibals!” then this is the game adaptation for you. The detail in the available maps also makes me hopeful that we’ll see even more locations from the franchise brought to life in the game such as Harlow from the Netflix adaptation, despite the streaming giant’s aversion to licensing.

It’s a familiar feeling that’s not uncommon in this genre. There’s a lot to learn and the game does include a written section dedicated to explaining the mechanics of the game but it lacks that playable representation. I found myself very overwhelmed early on with all the things I needed to do and then on top of that having to avoid the Family was a lot to manage. Personally, it’s only when players get to go hands-on with the gameplay that the concepts really gel. That trial and error in the first few matches isn’t very beginner-friendly and can be quite rough for new players. I would’ve appreciated the game having more of an onboarding experience, especially for players who have never played an asymmetrical game before.

I also feel that the game would benefit from a ping system. It was quite confusing at times when you’d see the notification that someone had escaped or a door had been opened with no idea where. While the game does function with voice chat enabled, working together with random players via comms never quite felt right. I’d suggest trying this one out with friends in an ideal situation.

You can tell the development team has put the work in for this one. The game feels as much like a recreation as it does a love letter to one of the bloodiest franchises horror fans have ever known. I really appreciated the level of detail in each of the maps and the way the narrative threads through the gameplay. They’ve even included a special bonus section in the menus that showcases behind-the-scenes content from the films that really strengthens how this game navigates its rich source material.

The Texas Chain Saw Massacre stands on its own but it’s proud of its parentage. For those familar with the genre, the game is sure to reignite that adrenaline. For franchise fans who haven’t dabbled in asymmetrical multiplayer, this one will take some work. It’s worth every bit of nostalgia as you run for your life, but without that rudimentary playable tutorial, you’ll stumble a few times for sure. Pace yourself on this one and take the time to learn about the perk system and how it fleshes out the game and just maybe you won’t end up on the wrong end of a chainsaw.