Fear Reimagined: Gun's Game vs. Friday the 13th
Unveiling the Asymmetrical Horror of Gun's Game: A Friday the 13th Successor?
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| Screenshot: Gun / Kotaku |
Stepping into the realm of asymmetrical survival horror, Gun's creation takes up the mantle left by Friday the 13th. While it's skillfully designed and evokes an atmospheric experience akin to The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, it falls short on delivering genuine fear. It's a missed opportunity, considering the attention to detail, right down to the birdsongs that serenade players within the terracotta Texan landscape – a faithful rendition of the iconic 1974 film. The game pays homage to a horror classic but, in its dedication to authenticity, it sacrifices the potential for an engaging gameplay.
Venturing into the Narrative: A Prequel Twist
Amid my approximate hour of playtime (with additional hours spent refreshing Quick Match in anticipation of its official August 18 release), the story barely maintains relevance. Texas Chain Saw attempts to carve its path through a prequel narrative, set before the slasher series unfolds.
"April 1973. Central Texas plunged into tragedy and despair," unfolds the scrolling burnt gold text as you launch the game, paralleling the movie's premise with its rolling gold text. "The disappearance of college student Maria Flores marked the beginning of anguish and despair," it continues, hinting at the impending agony awaiting her friends' search party.
The Intricacies of Texas Chain Saw's Asymmetry
Players step into this world through two avenues: embodying one of four Victims (among a total of five character choices) or adopting the roles of the cannibalistic Family members (with an array of five more options). Each character comes with distinctive attributes, defensive tactics, and offensive capabilities. Among the Victims, Leland stands out with his Donny Osmond-like appearance and brute strength. On the other side, Sissy shines, able to craft and administer herbal poisons for a subtler demise compared to Leatherface's showy chainsaw and skin mask.
In-game encounters between Victims and Family members yield revealing dialogues that unveil the narrative's depths. From chance meetings in the dim, damp basements where each match initiates, insights into characters' relationships and limited understanding of their grim situation emerge. Victims also engage in introspective monologues, adding to the immersive experience.
Yet, with matches spanning around five minutes, delving into the story's intricacies feels like a fleeting endeavor. As players become intimately acquainted with the game's three maps (replicas of the movie set), match dynamics and strategy would undoubtedly improve. However, Texas' tutorial only offers an hour of dry video clips, leaving players inadequately prepared to engage with the gameplay.
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| Screenshot: Gun / Kotaku |
The Thrill of Survival and Slaughter
In just five minutes, players must grapple with the game's fundamental premise. Victims strive to escape the clutches of the Slaughter Family's abode, while Family members relentlessly pursue slaughter.
Family members, occupying a dominant position, largely avoid quicktime-style mini-games. Yet, these mini-games dictate Victims' actions beyond basic movement and attacks. Escaping the meat hook, unlocking locked boxes, or prying crawl spaces open all rely on the player's patience in filling a half-circle meter. Rushing these interactions risks alerting enemies, but also the awakening of Grandpa, who plays a pivotal role in aiding the Family.
An Underwhelming Nightmare
For ardent multiplayer tacticians, Texas' intricate mechanics hold appeal. Yet, as a devoted fan of The Texas Chain Saw Massacre's nauseating terror, I find myself underwhelmed. While the meticulously recreated 1974 elements initially captivate, after numerous games, the premise loses its impact. Familiarity with the Family's property dampens the shock of recumbent carcasses, and Leatherface's roaring chainsaw loses its edge.
The film's potency lies in its contained horror and generational violence, which doesn't align with the open-ended expectations of an online game. Texas teeters between embracing its own disturbing narrative and revering the distant film, resulting in brief, predictable gameplay that fails to captivate.
A Glimpse of Hope
While Texas Chain Saw fails to mirror the movie's character depth or set pieces, its potential for unsettling narratives remains unfulfilled. Achieving this within crossplay-compatible multiplayer is challenging, especially when unexpected voices disrupt the eerie ambiance. Nonetheless, the game retains moments of tension and surprising beauty, with vivid sunsets observed from both PC and PS5 versions, accompanied by the unsettling gaze of a lurking Family member.
I hold out hope that future content updates and skilled players will inject newfound excitement into Texas. Dying and reviving beneath a neon sun's searing glow is a rare, macabre opportunity; I eagerly anticipate enjoying it from the safety of my console.
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