The Texas Chain Saw Massacre

Developer: Sumo Digital
Release: Aug 18th 2023
Platforms:
Action
Indie
Atmospheric
Immersive
Strategic
Abandoned
Buggy
The Texas Chain Saw Massacre Poster

" Intense asymmetrical horror action with faithful atmosphere but plagued by bugs and dead community "

The Texas Chain Saw Massacre Review

The Texas Chain Saw Massacre initially delivered a thrilling asymmetrical multiplayer horror experience with intense stealth gameplay and faithful atmospheric recreation of the iconic movie settings. Players praised its unique 3-vs-4 family-versus-survivors dynamic, strategic depth, and immersive audio design, which together created a tense and memorable horror environment. The RPG-like progression and distinct character abilities added personalization and replayability.

However, the game suffered from poor post-launch support by Gun Interactive, who abandoned development less than a year after release, leaving unresolved bugs, balance issues, and a dwindling player base. The lack of matchmaking improvements and tutorial content made it unfriendly to new players. Many reviews lament the developer's failure to address speedrunning exploits and buggy updates, which severely hurt gameplay quality. Ultimately, the game is considered a wasted opportunity with a passionate but shrinking community, and players warn against purchasing due to its current dead status and lack of ongoing support.

Highlights

Players especially praised the game's faithful atmospheric recreation of the 1974 film's settings and the intense stealth-based gameplay that creates a unique horror experience. The asymmetrical 3 killers vs 4 survivors format was noted for its strategic depth and tension. The audio design and sound effects were highlighted for enhancing immersion and fear. The character customization and progression system allowed for varied playstyles and long-term engagement. Many found the game initially exciting and intense, capturing the raw terror of the franchise effectively.

Criticisms

Common criticisms include developer abandonment shortly after release, resulting in no new content or bug fixes. Players reported numerous game-breaking bugs and glitches that persist unpatched. The imbalance caused by survivors' speedrunning tactics was a major frustration, with no effective nerfs implemented. Matchmaking was often poor, pairing new players against veterans, and the game lacked a proper tutorial, making it unfriendly to newcomers. The player base has significantly declined, leading to long queue times and dead multiplayer lobbies. Many warn against buying due to the game's effectively dead status and poor developer support.

Pros

  • Faithful atmospheric recreation of iconic movie locations enhances immersion.
  • Intense stealth and cat-and-mouse gameplay creates thrilling horror experience.
  • Asymmetrical 3 killers vs 4 survivors format offers strategic depth.
  • Audio design and sound effects significantly boost tension and fear.
  • Character progression allows customization and varied playstyles.
  • Unique abilities for victims and killers add gameplay variety.
  • Initial launch delivered highly praised adrenaline-pumping matches.

Cons

  • Developer abandoned game less than a year after release.
  • Numerous persistent bugs and glitches remain unpatched.
  • Survivor speedrunning tactics unbalanced gameplay severely.
  • Poor matchmaking pairs new players against highly experienced ones.
  • Lack of tutorial makes game unfriendly for newcomers.
  • Player base has drastically shrunk causing long queue times.
  • No new content or meaningful updates since developer exit.

Rating Criteria

Story
Difficulty
Graphics
Duration
Stability
Worth the Price
Capsule image

Take on the role of one of the notorious Slaughter family, or their victims, in The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, a third-person asymmetrical horror experience based on the groundbreaking and iconic 1974 horror film. Experience the mad and macabre for yourself in The Texas Chain Saw Massacre.

Release Date Aug 18th 2023
Publisher Gun Interactive
Developer Sumo Digital
Platforms

User Reviews

Mixed (10,399)
68% Positive 32% Negative