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The Texas Chain Saw Massacre is Gun Interactive and SUMO Digital’s latest game rendition of a classic horror title, taking on the iconic 1974 slasher flick of the same name. Released on August 18, the anniversary of the true events that inspired the franchise, TCSM was quite the undertaking. With the previous success of Friday the 13th: The Game under their belt, Gun was up to the challenge. From its viscerally unsettling opening to masterfully realized characters and asymmetric controls, TCSM delivers a truly terrifying gameplay experience appreciated by die-hard gamers and horror fanatics alike.
Narrative
The Texas Chain Saw Massacre is not a narratively driven game in action. That said, developer SUMO Digital and publisher Gun Interactive created a notably poignant opening for the title that focuses on the terrifying and tragic events that befell real-life victim, Maria Flores.
This is further emphasized by the developers’ decision to reintroduce familiar and iconic characters, like Leatherface, the Hitchhiker, and the Cook, from the 1974 film adaptation of the same name. In doing so, an anxious sense of urgency is instilled at the game’s core, leveraging the weight of the true story and its place in the horror genre to up the stakes from its start.
Reminiscent of the famous opening sequence in Star Wars, TCSM begins with a jarring rundown of the events that inspired the horror franchise and serve as the game’s premise. The player is informed of Maria Flores’ plight as the eerily narrated text scrolls. While this certainly helps to convey the game’s setting and dual objective, it’s also a solemn reminder of its tragic roots. One can’t help but feel that TCSM is not just a game, but an opportunity to rewrite the aftermath of the events, now with a chance to make it out alive.
SCORE: 5/5
Sound Design
Without mincing words, the score and sound effects in Texas Chain Saw Massacre are incredibly potent from start to finish. I went into the game as a certified horror junkie, confident in my strong stomach and sense of resolve. To say I was immediately shaken up by the jarring opening sequence is a massive understatement.
The aforementioned text sequence fades in with a stern narration of the true events that inspired the franchise and led to the game’s starting point, soon followed by the blood-red title. Accompanied by the original film’s deeply unsettling soundtrack by Tobe Hooper and Wayne Bell, the in-game Slaughter family’s home stands off in the distance with a truly menacing presence. On my first watch, I was equally as rattled as my controller.
The adrenaline-inducing sound design doesn’t let up there. Upon choosing to play as either a member of the Slaughter family or one of their victims, you’re dropped straight into a bloodbath of a match. While the soundtrack isn’t present during gameplay, you’re instead made keenly aware of surrounding sounds, the most horrifying of which is the revving of Leatherface’s chainsaw. From the hacking and slashing of victims to Grandpa’s groans and the rustling of discarded human bones, these sounds effects masterfully bring to life the gritty and grotesque atmosphere achieved in the classic horror film.
These feats aside, I was particularly appreciative of the closed speech captions provided by developers. This seemingly small detail makes all the difference in creating an accessible gameplay experience for all players.
SCORE: 5/5
Gameplay
With the release of Texas Chain Saw Massacre, it’s become evident that Gun Interactive has mastered the art of asymmetric gameplay. Following the studio’s game rendition of Friday the 13th, I and countless others were confident that Gun could pull off another PvP experience that mirrors one of the most highly regarded slasher flicks in history. I’m glad to say that my confidence was not misplaced.
TCSM pits players against each other in opposing roles as members of the Slaughter family and their victims. While this has been accomplished by other titles within the genre, TCSM sets itself apart from the crowd with an ambitious 3v4 format. Letting three killers loose on four survivors, the game presents a uniquely frightening challenge, made all the more intimidating with the implementation of individual character attributes and abilities.
At its best, this serves as a system of checks and balances to level the playing field. At its worst, it can feel as though victims are helpless against several overpowered maniacs like Leatherface and Johnny. With little means to fight back, victims don’t last long in your average match. During my first play session, I witnessed a mere two victims escape over the course of six rounds — and I wasn’t one of them.
When I first began playing, I was floored by the complexity of character builds and controls, which vary between family and victims, and drastically so from one character to the next. With a bit of practice, I’ve been able to optimize the stats of some of my favorite characters, who now fare much better in even the most intense matches.
SCORE: 4/5
Graphics
Among the game’s player base, the general consensus seems to be that Texas Chain Saw Massacre doesn’t boast the most impressive graphics. I’d have to say that I agree. They’re not bad, but they’re not great, either. With that being said, this shortcoming doesn’t disrupt gameplay or the overall experience of the game, which runs well and manages to deliver an exceptionally gory affair.
One minor annoyance is that some characters tend to appear rather stiff. This goes doubly so for female characters like Connie and Ana, who both wear their long hair down. As they move, their hair remains locked in place, which doesn’t look all that realistic or objectively appealing to the eye. This is pretty par for the course when it comes to online multiplayer games, though, so there isn’t much room to nitpick or compare. I just wish my own hairstyle would remain so intact under less dire circumstances.
That aside, TCSM also features beautifully animated cutscenes following each match. Regardless of the outcome, Leatherface takes to the street with his chainsaw in tow, swinging the freshly bloodied tool around in an homage to the original film.
In all, the graphics in TCSM remain smooth and consistent throughout matches. Despite small blemishes here and there, I haven’t experienced any manner of lag or the infamous Victim XP glitch in my own play sessions. I would venture to say that this is a notable feat in itself, especially for an online game of its magnitude.
SCORE: 3.5/5
Verdict: A Resurrected Classic
All things considered, The Texas Chain Saw Massacre has been successfully resurrected by Gun Interactive and SUMO Nottingham just in time for the anniversary of the real-life events. As a horror fan, myself, I am always hesitant to dive into remakes of the classics. Fortunately, TCSM remains true to its roots, offering up a gritty and thrilling gameplay experience that parallels the 1974 film adaption. If you loved Tobe Hooper’s iconic film or other asymmetric horror games like Friday the 13th: The Game, then Texas Chain Saw Massacre will certainly get your blood pumping.
The Texas Chain Saw Massacre
- Final Score: 4.5/5
- Publisher: Gun Interactive
- Developer: SUMO Digital
- Release Date: 08/18/2023
- Reviewed By: Olivia Rolls
- Reviewed On: Xbox One