Discussing The Texas Chain Saw Massacre is tough without briefly mentioning Dead by Daylight. It’s the game that boosted the asymmetrical horror genre into the spotlight, and without it, games like The Texas Chain Saw Massacre may have flopped instead of receiving the warm welcome it did. I’m a fan of both. I have hundreds of hours in Dead by Daylight and tens of hours in The Texas Chain Saw Massacre already, with many more to come. Here’s our review of The Texas Chain Saw Massacre from Sumo Digital!
Note: We were lucky enough to receive a review copy of The Texas Chain Saw Massacre from the developer/publisher, but this does not influence this review whatsoever.
Lost on the Farm – The Gameplay of Texas Chain Saw Massacre
I’m normally proficient at finding my way through a video game level. It’s like a second sense, which is useful considering my job writing about them. That said, my first few matches of The Texas Chain Saw Massacre proved exceptionally complex. I was lost. I was lost from the get-go, and I never found my way. But you know what I did find? The Hitchhiker’s knife!
Despite encompassing a relatively small plot of land overall, The Texas Chain Saw Massacre is a confusing and complex maze of routes that may lead to safety or, more than likely, lead to harm. But that’s the joy of a game like this. The gameplay is frantic and harrowing, with every twist and turn leading to sudden death or salvation, and it’s that addicting gameplay loop that made me queue up for another round immediately after dying to the killers.
Is it challenging? Yes. Is it sometimes frustrating? Also yes. But it’s fun. When reviewing a game of any genre, fun is what I focus on most. The Texas Chain Saw Massacre was an absolute blast to play solo with pub players who knew the game, knew their skills, and worked well together. I would be lying if I said I didn’t have more fun with a party of friends, though. It’s hectic as everyone screams over each other in an effort to be heard, to find safety.
All the while, I’m lost and stumbling up from the basement well after everyone else. I was also the first to die, but that didn’t deter me from playing another round. And then another.
How’s the Horror Look?
When you’re busy being chased by a deranged killer wielding a chainsaw, chances are insurmountably high that you’re not stopping to smell the roses and admire the scenery. That said. The Texas Chain Saw Massacre is a gorgeous game when it wants to be. The atmosphere is exceptional. The small details, like the bone charms and messy floors, prove extremely detailed and a nice touch to help build terror in an unsettling environment.
I do have to say, however, that most of the characters look extremely ugly. They’re almost sloppily molded from clay, especially a few of the Killers, like The Cook.
Does this detract from the overall experience? Nope. Not one bit, thankfully.
Is It Replayable?
As a multiplayer-focused game, of course, The Texas Chain Saw Massacre was designed with replayability in mind. Will folks continue playing it for the same span as Dead by Daylight? Unlikely, but for the next few months, maybe a year, I’m sure it will have a cult following.
Will I keep playing it after this review? Hell, yeah! It’s a lot of fun, especially with a few pals, and I can see myself continuing to play a few rounds each week.
If you love the asymmetrical horror genre, then The Texas Chain Saw Massacre is definitely one to pick up!