The horror community received some exciting news when it was announced Gun Media, the team behind Friday The 13th: The Game, has partnered with Sumo Nottingham to bring us a game based on The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. Horror fans are thrilled to hear this, as the team at Gun nailed the Friday game that was cut short due to the ongoing F13 legal battle. This news has had fans thinking though, what are some other horror movies that deserve to have video game adaptations? Horror is debatably the most creative genre, and here are 10 movies I feel should get the video game treatment.
1. Saw
While Saw did actually receive two video games in 2009 and 2010, horror fans feel the true potential of a Saw-based game was far from tapped. In recent years, companies such as Quantic Dream have popularized the choice-based system in games, meaning what the player chooses to do throughout the game impacts the story. Saw would benefit greatly from this, as making difficult choices is a major part of the films. Players could play as victims, or as Jigsaw as they play their way through an original story. Lionsgate has announced they are in negotiations to make another Saw game, but as of yet no major developments are known.
2. Hellraiser
Clive Barker’s Hellraiser remains one of the most inventive and disturbing horror movies of all time. Horror fans still hold this movie to a high standard, and rightfully so. There is a Hellraiser reboot in the works at Hulu, which would make it a perfect time to bring Pinhead and his Cenobites to the world of gaming. The thought of level design alone would be enough to make this game a best seller. Add in survival gameplay with terrifying creatures and the game sells itself to horror fans. There were plans for a Hellraiser game to be released on the NES in 1990, but it was canceled early on. It is about time Pinhead makes the jump to PC and console gaming.
3. Halloween
The idea of a Halloween game may sound similar to the F13 game, and in some ways, it would be. There is one key difference between Michael Myers and Jason Voorhees that would make the gameplay different, stealth. Stealth is somewhat present in the Friday movies as well as the game, but hiding and striking his prey is one of Michael Myers‘ key moves. Imagine a game with similar gameplay to Alien: Isolation but with The Shape stalking you. Michael appears in Dead By Daylight, but he deserves his own full-fledged game. A game such as this would make Michael Myers even scarier than he already is.
4. The Shining
A horror game revolving around the players slowly losing their sanity in The Overlook Hotel seems like the ultimate premise for a game. A game based on The Shining wouldn’t even need to use existing characters, as the hotel itself is a character that could return. An original story taking place in the Overlook could very well work if the proper care was implemented. Perhaps the main character could possess the titular Shining, and has to spend the game learning to use their powers. Atmospheric horror games are among the best, and there is plenty of spooky atmosphere in the Overlook.
5. The Exorcist
A game based on The Exorcist would be tricky, but not impossible. Similar to my proposed Shining game, this game would take place in the world of The Exorcist as proposed to being an adaptation of the movie. Perhaps the game could have an Outlast feel to it. The player could be an investigation of some sort, searching through various locations where demonic possessions have been reported. If the game has more of a survival feel to it, it could very well work. Blumhouse has announced they are making a new Exorcist trilogy, so perhaps a new game could fit in well with the marketing.
6. Freddy Vs. Jason (& Others)
While Freddy Vs. Jason on its own wouldn’t make a great game, the idea of pitting horror legends against each other does. Terrordrome is a fan-made game with this exact premise, a horror movie icon tournament fighter. Characters that would never share a movie together would be playable, each with their own special moves and attacks. The game could also feature music and dialogue from the films used, making a more immersive experience. Terrordrome is downloadable for free, but the team made a spiritual successor that uses characters from mythology. This sequel can be bought on Steam and is a great way to support a talented team of devs.
7. The Terminator
The Terminator is one of the best-known action franchises of all time. If you go back and take a look at the marketing for the original film, however, it was marketed as more of a horror movie. The first movie showcases the titular cyborg as a terrifying death machine, and this could make a scary game. There are plenty of Terminator games, but they are all action games based on the more action-heavy sequels. A game based on the horror-esque feel of the original film could breathe a breath of fresh air into the franchise that admittedly it desperately needs. The timelines of the movies are sloppy, so the game could follow an original character that has to survive against a Terminator. Again, this would be a survival horror game with few weapons, just the player’s wits to keep them alive.
8. IT
With the release of the 2017 film and its sequel, Stephen King’s IT is more popular than it has ever been. A game sounds like it would be a cash grab, but with some inventive and talented people behind it, it could be a terrifying game. Pennywise’s entire thing is he preys on the fears of his victims. Players could choose their greatest fears from a list at the beginning and have to face those fears throughout the game. Instead of being the clown, everyone knows him as Pennywise could change shape each time he appears. Playing as a child with no combat experience would add another level of difficulty to the game, as again the player would have to use their instincts as opposed to brute force.
9. Universal Monsters
A game based on movies from the 30s-50s would have to take some real creativity to pull off. Perhaps instead of having one long story, all of the main monsters have their own stories with several levels each. The various stories could have their own styles depending on the feel of the movies or when they came out. The gameplay would be similar enough to carry through each monster but would have a slight learning curve. Just because something works to escape or defeat Frankenstein’s Monster, for example, doesn’t mean the same will work against The Wolf Man. Or perhaps each monster comes with different play styles. For example, Dracula’s levels would be a third-person perspective escaping his castle, while The Invisible Man’s would be a first-person survival game. This may not work on paper, but under the right devs, it could have a fighting chance.
10. A Nightmare On Elm Street
Freddy Krueger seems like the perfect candidate for a video game. Like Michael Myers, Krueger appears in Dead by Daylight, but having his own game holds so much potential. The game could have similar mechanics to Silent Hill, with the game switching between the dream world and the real world. The Springwood Slasher has appeared in games before during the 8-bit era, but they have less than a cult following. A next-gen Freddy game could be terrifying and creative. Robert England could even reprise his role as Freddy, as voice-over work is easier than getting into the makeup. England lent his voice to Scarecrow in Injustice 2, so it is in the realm of possibility.
