Texas Chainsaw Massacre Gameplay, Trailer and More
by Kavitha | Updated Aug 21, 2023
Texas Chainsaw Massacre
In 2023, Sumo Digital developed and Gun Interactive published "The Texas Chain Saw Massacre," an asymmetrical survival horror game. Inspired by the 1974 film of the same name, the game centers around a group of four victims aiming to escape from the clutches of three members of the Sawyer family, all while evading capture and death.
The game's notable cast includes Kane Hodder, reprising his role as Leatherface from "Leatherface: The Texas Chainsaw Massacre III," and Edwin Neal providing the voice for The Hitchhiker, a character he originally portrayed in the original film.
Released on August 18, 2023, the game is available for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S platforms. Additionally, it became accessible on Xbox Game Pass simultaneously with its release. Reviews for the game upon launch were mixed, with particular commendation for its faithfulness to the source material and its innovative four-versus-three gameplay dynamic.
Texas Chainsaw Massacre Gameplay
Gameplay in The Texas Chain Saw Massacre revolves around an introductory narration scene voiced by Aaron LaPlante, which sets up the story. The game's premise follows Ana and her college friends, who embark on a search for Ana's missing sister Maria near Austin, Texas. Unfortunately, their search leads them into the clutches of the cannibalistic Sawyer family.
Players have the opportunity to participate in matches as either family members or victims. A match accommodates a total of seven players, with three family members and four victims available for selection. The game features three distinct maps: the Sawyer family house, the gas station, and a new locale, the slaughterhouse. Each map has both a day and a night variation, altering the atmosphere and lighting. The game consistently includes a basement area where both Leatherface and the victims commence the match.
For the victims, the primary goal is to escape captivity, starting from the basement and working their way to various escape routes. Victims can exit the game via one of the four available exits on each map. In contrast, family members are tasked with tracking down and eliminating the victims.
Victims can be killed by inflicting sufficient damage, leading to their removal from the match. Additionally, family members must tend to Grandpa, a stationary character who feeds on the blood of victims and blood bags scattered around the map. If disturbed by the victim's movement, Grandpa's shrieks reveal victim outlines to all family members. Matches conclude when all victims either escape or are eliminated.
Experience points are earned from each round, allowing players to invest skill points into specific character skill trees. The skill trees unlock perks and attributes, enabling players to customize characters to their preferred play styles.
In terms of characters, the game features five playable family members, each possessing distinctive abilities and play styles. Leatherface is a chainsaw-wielding maniac who starts the game with victims in the basement. The Cook excels at listening for noise and tracking victims. The Hitchhiker specializes in setting traps and pursuing victims. Johnny is skilled at tracking victims by following their footprints, while Sissy hinders victims with obstacles and poisons.
The victim roster comprises five unique characters, each with their own abilities. Ana Flores is the group's leader with reduced damage susceptibility. Connie Taylor excels at unlocking doors quickly with minimal stamina consumption. Julie Crawford temporarily boosts running speed and becomes invisible to family members' tracking abilities. Leland McKinney can knock down family members, providing a temporary stun. Sonny Williams detects nearby movement made by both family members and victims.
The Texas Chain Saw Massacre gameplay offers an immersive experience where players can embody either family members or victims, each with their own abilities, strategies, and objectives. The game's various maps, dynamic lighting, and strategic elements create a tense and gripping horror atmosphere.
Texas Chainsaw Massacre Release Date
The Texas Chain Saw Massacre was released on August 18, 2023, for PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S platforms. It also became available on Game Pass on its launch day. The 2023 release window was initially announced during the 2022 Xbox + Bethesda Showcase Extended, and the game received its official release date in March.
Gun Interactive reassured players that "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre" would not face the same fate as Friday the 13th, which had its servers shut down in 2020 due to rights issues and was scheduled to be delisted on December 31 when the license expired.
The development team collaborated closely with Kim Henkel, the sole owner of the Texas Chainsaw Massacre IP, to ensure smoother rights management for the game, as mentioned in an interview with Gun Interactive's creative director, Ronnie Hobbs, in PCGamesN.
Texas Chainsaw Massacre Plot
The Texas Chain Saw Massacre game immerses players in a narrative that directly ties into the iconic 1974 horror film while offering a fresh perspective on the events leading up to the movie's chilling story.
Setting and Premise:
The game's official synopsis sets the tone for players to take on the roles of either the notorious Slaughter family members or their potential victims. The game's setting aligns with the dark and desolate atmosphere of the original film, capturing the essence of the horror that unfolds in the franchise. The experience promises to delve into the madness and macabre nature that defines "The Texas Chain Saw Massacre."
Connecting to the Films:
The game's connection to the films is established through its chronological placement within the franchise's timeline. The game's events take place a few months before the occurrences of the original film, giving players an opportunity to witness the events leading up to the horrifying events portrayed in the movie.
Exploring the Slaughter Family:
By taking on the roles of the notorious Slaughter family members, players get to experience firsthand the lives and actions of these cannibalistic maniacs before the main events of the film. This perspective allows players to uncover the motivations, dynamics, and origins of the family's gruesome tendencies. The game delves into the family's hunting methods, their interactions, and their sadistic practices, potentially shedding light on the origins of their violence.
Victims' Struggle for Survival:
For players assuming the roles of the victims, the game provides insight into their desperate struggle for survival as they attempt to escape the clutches of the Slaughter family. The victims' journey serves as a precursor to the terror that unfolds in the film. Players experience the victims' fear, resourcefulness, and determination to evade their captors.
Mix of Returning and New Characters:
The game introduces a mix of both returning and new characters. This blend of familiar and original faces adds depth to the narrative and enhances the players' connection to the franchise. While certain characters from the original film are reprised, the inclusion of new characters offers the opportunity to expand the lore and provide additional perspectives on the unfolding horror.
The Texas Chain Saw Massacre game's plot is intricately woven into the events of the 1974 horror film. By offering a prequel experience set before the film's events, players can delve into the lives of the Slaughter family and the victims, exploring the terror and madness that lead up to the iconic story depicted in the original movie. The game's narrative aims to enrich the franchise's lore while immersing players in the unsettling and horrifying world of "The Texas Chain Saw Massacre."
Texas Chainsaw Massacre System Requirements
Operating System
Windows 10
Windows 10
Processor
Intel Core i5 6th gen or AMD Ryzen 5 1600
Intel Core i7 10th gen or AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
Memory
8 GB RAM
16 GB RAM
Graphics
Nvidia Geforce GTX 1060 or AMD Radeon RX 580
Nvidia Geforce RTX 3070 or AMD Radeon RX 6700 XT
Network
Broadband Internet connection
Broadband Internet connection
Storage
30 GB available space
30 GB available space
System Requirements
Minimum
Recommended
Texas ChainSaw Massacre Trailer
Texas Chainsaw Massacre Gameplay - FAQ
The game provides players with the opportunity to take on the roles of either the notorious Slaughter family members or their potential victims. The setting aligns with the dark atmosphere of the original film, capturing the essence of the horror that defines the franchise.
The game's events take place a few months before the occurrences of the 1974 film, allowing players to witness the events leading up to the horrifying story depicted in the movie.
Players can experience the lives and actions of the Slaughter family members before the main events of the film. This perspective uncovers motivations, dynamics, and the origins of the family's gruesome tendencies.
For players taking on the roles of victims, the game offers insight into their desperate struggle for survival as they attempt to escape the clutches of the Slaughter family. The victims' journey serves as a precursor to the horror portrayed in the film.
Yes, the game features a mix of returning and new characters. While some characters from the original film are reprised, new characters are introduced to expand the lore and provide additional perspectives on the unfolding horror.