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Pretend that you are either the killer or one of the characters being stalked

Pretend that you are either the killer or one of the characters being stalked

Vote: (28 votes)

Program license: Paid

Developer: Gun Media

Version: 1.0

Works under: Windows

Also available for Android

Vote:

Program license

(28 votes)

Paid

Developer

Version

Gun Media

1.0

Works under:

Also available for

Windows

Android

Pros

  • A lovingly recreated bit of fan service for Friday the 13th
  • Playing as Jason can be a blast

Cons

  • Terrible sense of balance in the core game
  • Lack of support from the development team

Friday the 13th the Game puts you either in the shoes of notorious slasher villain Jason Voorhees or his victims and asks you to either butcher everyone on site or survive the night. While it builds off the sort of assymetrical multiplayer that was pioneered by Left 4 Dead, it manages to carve out an identity all its own. This is in large part due to the loving amount of fan service invested into the game. The developers are clearly huge fans of the franchise, and they've created a world that calls back to moments throughout the series that will be recognized by both casual viewers and die hard fans alike. Unfortunately, finding a balance between the thrill of being one of horror's most recognizable and unstoppable killers and creating a game with a good sense of balance is a hard position to be in, and the game doesn't quite settle in on exactly what it wants to be.

Jason's goal is simple, and he has plenty of tools available to achieve them. Success is counted by butchering all the other players before the timer runs out. Success for the other players is far more dire. They can distract or stun Jason, but these are temporary reprieves, and the full list of advantages at Jason's disposal means that he's nigh unstoppable. While there are a few routes for escape on each of the maps, this win condition is nearly impossible to achieve, and the choke points that provide this route to success means it's easy for the Jason player to camp out and wait for his victims to come to him. While the opportunity is available to kill Jason and create a definitive win on the part of the camp counselors, they're obtuse and nearly impossible to achieve.

To its credit, the kills themselves are patently ridiculous and completely within the spirit of the franchise. A huge bevy of gory kill animations are available, and they can be unlocked further through the use of a player progression system. They can also be spent on perks campers can use to improve their odds of success, but the sheer advantages afforded to Jason and the clumsiness of camper maneuverability on display means that they're minor at best.

Perhaps more worrying is the lack of tools for cooperation. Asymmetrical games like this are contingent on the ability for the weaker players to be able to team up and take down their opponent. Here, there's rare incentives to work together. It creates a situation that's both isolating and frustrating, and while that's a reflection of what it must feel like to be in Jason Voorhees' cross hairs, it doesn't necessarily make for a fun experience. While there are enjoyable moments to be had, they largely consist of waiting until it's your time to get behind the killer's mask.

Pros

  • A lovingly recreated bit of fan service for Friday the 13th
  • Playing as Jason can be a blast

Cons

  • Terrible sense of balance in the core game
  • Lack of support from the development team