Killer Klowns from Outer Space: The Game Reveal Trailer

There was a time when licensed horror games were not to be spoken of. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre and Halloween both appeared on the Atari 2600 in 1983. And though these games sparked some controversy due to their violent nature — based on the standards at the time, that is — they were pretty weak, gameplay-wise. A Nightmare on Elm Street and Friday the 13th games also popped up on the NES and other platforms of the era, and those were really bad, too.

Eventually, the Evil Dead franchise would hit PlayStation, Dreamcast, PlayStation 2, and Xbox with different games set in the film franchise’s universe. These released to varying degrees of acclaim, with some folks enjoying them and others bashing them. It wasn’t until earlier this year, though, that we got a really awesome title in Evil Dead: The Game. An online multiplayer game at its core, Evil Dead: The Game succeeds because it stays true to the series, and it provides players with plenty of fun and creepy moments whether they’re playing as Ash Williams and pals or the demonic Deadites.

The Texas Chainsaw Massacre Atari 2600

Whether we’re talking film or video games, it’s no secret that horror has always been — and will very likely always be — a niche genre. Some folks don’t like it. Others don’t get it. For some, it’s just not their cup of tea. But for those of us who love our gruesome, splattery imagery and mature themes, horror is a thing of beauty. That’s why it’s awesome that licensed horror is having its moment to shine as part of the video game medium.

There’s an argument to be made that Dead by Daylight helped bring eyes back on licensed horror as far as video games are concerned. The game has a strong following, and while it started out with a roster of imitation killers based on movie and game villains, it’s since grown to include legit characters like Leatherface, Michael Myers, Ghostface, and more. The game has even extended its reach, including characters from the Resident Evil games, Silent Hill, and even Stranger Things.

Dead by Daylight - Michael Myers

There was a time when Friday the 13th: The Game looked like a legit contender in the multiplayer horror game field. And while that title can be considered a bit underrated, it never managed to reach the heights of something like Dead by Daylight or Left 4 Dead. It gave players a fun objective-based gameplay experience where camp counselors had to survive against Jason Vorhees, but server issues and the film franchise’s ongoing legal battles put a machete right through any chance of that game being more successful.

Interestingly, you can still play Friday the 13th: The Game. The servers aren’t great, there’s some lag, and it can take a minute to get a game going, but it’s still there. And for what it’s worth, it’s a pretty fun game.

Friday the 13th: The Game

But hey, one game’s downfall doesn’t have to mean an entire genre’s destruction. That’s why it’s awesome to see things like Evil Dead: The Game pop up and provide fans of the movies and TV show with a genuinely fun Deadite-slaying time. That’s also why it’s so damn cool that more licensed horror franchises are taking the dive into video game form.

Evil Dead: The Game - Ash

During The Game Awards 2021, it was revealed that Gun Interactive (which previously worked on Friday the 13th: The Game) was publishing a new horror title. Developed by Sumo Digital, The Texas Chain Saw Massacre takes visual cues from the 1974 pre-slasher exploitation horror flick. You’ve got the muggy Texas heat, backwoods settings, and a cannibalistic family of murderers.

The Texas Chain Saw Massacre

Details surrounding the game have slowly trickled out, and it turns out The Texas Chain Saw Massacre will put a team of four victims up against three members of Leatherface’s family. This is a nice change of pace from the typical four-versus-one setup that a lot of these multiplayer horror games utilize, and it could make for some intense and exciting moments.

When you think about Evil Dead and Texas Chainsaw (or Chain Saw, as it’s spelled for some installments), those are some pretty heavy hitters in the horror genre. I don’t think anyone was expecting either of these games to ever exist, but when they were announced, it was sort of a, “Oh, that’s cool!” reaction.

The Texas Chain Saw Massacre Game

Then came along a huge surprise… Killer Klowns from Outer Space: The Game! Wait, what? Okay, Killer Klowns from Outer Space is a rad movie. It’s a certifiable cult hit. But the fact that they’re making a video game is pretty crazy… and super freakin’ awesome!

Like many of the games mentioned here, Killer Klowns from Outer Space: The Game is an online player-versus-player experience. Some players will take on the role of the titular Killer Klowns, while others will be survivors trying to fight back against the invaders. Details are still very much under wraps, but as a fan of the series, I’m excited to see and learn more about this upcoming project from indie developer Teravision Games and publisher Good Shepherd Entertainment.

Killer Klowns from Outer Space: The Game - Survivors

Thus far, what we do know is that Killer Klowns from Outer Space: The Game will be a three-versus-seven multiplayer game, which is different from a lot of current and upcoming asymmetrical horror games. The reveal trailer also referred to the game as “a craazzy new take on multiplayer horror,” so it should be interesting how craazzy we’re talking here! The trailer showed the Klowns shooting ray guns and carrying giant things of cotton candy — which, if you watched the movie, you’ll know contain dead humans.

In addition, the Killer Klowns game Twitter specifies that players taking on the role of survivors will be able to “team up and fight” against the alien invasion. Typically, these types of horror games put survivor players at a huge disadvantage. Evil Dead: The Game does a good job of giving survivor players a better chance at fighting back, and it looks like Killer Klowns from Outer Space: The Game could very well do the same. This is especially true since the game’s promotional artwork shows human players holding baseball bats, other blunt weapons, and even guns.

Killer Klowns from Outer Space Game

It’s odd how multiplayer horror has become a thing, but the lover of all things macabre, campy, and gory in me is absolutely elated to see these games pop up like this. Who knows what’ll be next? Maybe we’ll get a proper game set in the surreal world of A Nightmare on Elm Street. Perhaps some other cult classic will re-emerge — maybe something along the lines of Fright Night or The Return of the Living Dead. Whatever it is, as horror fans, we’re witnessing a cool little moment for licensed horror games, so let’s enjoy the bloody ride!

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