The Texas Chain Saw Massacre is set before the events depicted in the iconic 1974 horror film of the same name. The Slaughter Family (predating their adoption of the Sawyer moniker in later installments) are actively engaged in kidnapping, murdering, and cannibalizing unsuspecting individuals who venture too close to their territory. The gameplay is structured around two distinct roles. Players can assume the role of one of the five killers within the Slaughter family: Leatherface, The Cook, The Hitchhiker, Sissy, or Johnny. Note that the latter two characters, while not featured in the original film, are connected to the franchise’s lore. The objective is to locate and eliminate the victims who have managed to escape the basement. Each character possesses unique strengths and weaknesses, necessitating coordinated teamwork to successfully hunt down all four survivors. Alternatively, players can embody a victim, beginning the match injured and vulnerable in the basement, tasked with evading the killers and escaping the premises. The game is exclusively online, with each round comprising seven players: three killers and four victims. A round concludes when all victims are either killed or have successfully escaped. The Slaughter Family cannot be permanently killed, but they can be temporarily incapacitated or hindered.
Tobe Hooper, the director of The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, conceived the film’s premise while standing amidst a crowded store during the Christmas rush, imagining using a chainsaw to clear a path. This somewhat disturbing thought evolved into one of the most controversial and discussed films globally. The franchise has spawned numerous sequels, remakes, and reboots, solidifying Leatherface’s position as one of cinema’s most recognizable horror icons, alongside Michael Myers (Halloween) and Jason Vorhees (Friday The 13th). The original film distinguishes itself from its sequels by prioritizing psychological horror over explicit gore. A recent viewing prior to this review confirmed that the film retains its unsettling atmosphere even today.
The game The Texas Chain Saw Massacre successfully recreates the oppressive atmosphere and constant sense of dread that characterized the film. The environments are meticulously rendered, effectively transporting players to the world established nearly 50 years ago.
Playing as either a killer or a victim offers distinctly different gameplay experiences, yet both maintain a high level of tension. Being pursued through claustrophobic environments by a relentless Leatherface, wielding his chainsaw, is as challenging and adrenaline-inducing as hunting down fleeing victims. Teamwork is crucial for success, regardless of the chosen role, as individual players are significantly less effective. Each character possesses unique advantages and disadvantages. For instance, Leatherface cannot navigate narrow passages accessible to the victims, while The Hitchhiker can. Therefore, strategic planning and composure are essential for completing the objectives.
The controls are intuitive, and each character’s special abilities are easily accessible and understandable.
The game features five playable killers and five victims, each of whom can be upgraded with additional abilities through continued use. A particularly noteworthy detail is the return of Edwin Neal, the original actor who voiced the Hitchhiker in the film, reprising his role nearly 50 years later. Furthermore, Kane Hodder, renowned for his portrayal of Jason Vorhees, embodies Leatherface.
Each game session involves seven players, and The Texas Chain Saw Massacre is an exclusively online experience. Consequently, each round begins with a waiting period for player matchmaking, which can be somewhat tedious. Players can choose to queue specifically as killers, victims, or opt for a “Quick Game” mode that assigns roles randomly. The Quick Game function proved to be the most engaging due to its variability. A significant advantage is the restriction against multiple instances of the same character within a single round, a departure from games like Evil Dead: The Game, which allows for multiple instances of Ash Williams.
The game also allows players to create custom game sessions and invite friends to their lobby. With cross-play enabled, players are not restricted to a single platform like Playstation.
A notable drawback is the absence of an offline mode against AI opponents. This would have provided a valuable training ground, as the initial experience against experienced players can be frustrating, leading to either swift elimination or aimless wandering as a killer. Furthermore, players with unstable network connections may encounter issues due to high ping and frequent disconnections.
Another aspect that may become repetitive over time is the limited map pool. As players become more familiar with the environments, the element of surprise diminishes, potentially making it easier to escape or locate hiding victims.
The Texas Chain Saw Massacre was tested on Playstation 5 and offers two graphical modes: high resolution at 30fps or lower resolution at 60fps. Preference was given to the higher frame rate option.
In conclusion, The Texas Chain Saw Massacre is a highly recommended title for fans of intense, asymmetrical multiplayer experiences. Its faithful recreation of the film’s atmosphere makes it a must-have for enthusiasts of the franchise, despite its exclusive reliance on online gameplay.
Gun Interactive provided a review code for this evaluation. The provision of materials does not influence our editorial assessments.
