5 Slasher Movies That Would Make Great Video Games

Slasher flicks have played a pivotal role in the advancement of cinema for as long as we can remember. Contrary to popular belief, though, their presence hasn't settled all that well in the video game department. Of course, there are a few titles that tend to pop up around the Halloween season, but for the most part, they're given the cold shoulder, and often left to decay at the source.

On the bright side, games like Dead by Daylight and Friday the 13th have been able to reignite the fires beneath the radar, giving players in the unknown a collection of doorways to some of the most genre-defining worlds in slasher movie history. The downside, though, is that not every gore-loving sociopath has been able to plant a hatchet in such roots. And so, if we had the chance to nudge just five slasher icons into the spotlight for video game adaptations, then we'd probably shoot for these cult classics.

5. Wrong Turn

Wrong Turn is an anthology of slasher flicks that's seen quite the number of reboots and spin-offs over the years. The one thing it hasn't seen, however, is a video game. At least, not an official video game fully endorsed by its creators, anyway. And that's a crying shame, seeing as the six-piece saga has developed more than enough villains and settings to greenlight a genuinely convincing playable experience. And if you want to chuck VR into the mix, too — then we'd be firing on all cylinders.

Of course, being a slasher series, the story is rarely ever drawn out to induce a volley of questions. Unlucky travelers journey out into the barren woodlands for several miles, only to find that — surprise, surprise — their cars break down in the center of no man's land and leave them stranded. With rumors of a local family with a taste for cannibalism stepping into frame, the strays must band together to survive the hunters as they close in for the kill. Is that video game material? Absolutely.

4. The Cabin in the Woods

Knowing what we know about The Cabin in the Woods' endings, it does surprise us that a developer hasn't looked to capitalize on the myriad of pathways just yet. After all, with the movie being based not only around a cliché setting, but a whole ocean of potential villains, it does give creators the freedom to experiment with countless game modes and additional spin-offs. And yet, to our surprise, the idea hasn't even been considered.

Of course, the cabin itself isn't just a cabin. Well, it is, but it's also the crowning achievement of an underground government agency. In order to make good with the devil, an annual sacrifice has to take place on hollow ground. However, rather than putting weary travelers to the slaughter, the agency instead treats it as a game, using a roll of the dice scenario to decide their fates. Zombies, merfolk, werewolves — you name it. The possibilities are endless here, and it's a surprise that nobody has cashed in on any of them.

3. House of Wax

House of Wax owns an additional wick that has yet to be lit, despite being well over a decade old. And with the advancement of virtual reality in recent years, now would probably be as good a time as any to engulf it in flames. Although not quite as fresh in our minds as other cult classic slasher movies, it is still there, scurrying around, waiting for its resurrection in video game form.

House of Wax follows a bunch of travelers as they seek passage through a seemingly deserted town. Upon arrival, they learn that the population is, in fact, made up of wax models, and that the whole area is a mockup comprised of wax, flesh, and bone. To escape the twisted version of the once-loved village, the travelers must come together to defy the maker. Add that concept to a stealth-based structure, and you've got yourself a worthy pilot.

2. Child's Play

Child's Play is a lot like yeast extract: you either love it or you hate it. And yet, regardless of personal preference, it is still a movie that is worthy of a video game adaptation. Or, at least a shot at redemption after the god-awful endless runner game that was 2013's Chucky: Slash & Dash.

Of course, Child's Play strikes a perfect balance of humorous and creepy, and fear is essentially in the eye of the beholder here. That said, a survival horror game based around Chucky wouldn't be a bad thing by any means. In fact, if laced with stealth segments, it would actually be pretty terrifying under the correct circumstances. Think Among the Sleep, but with the toothy redhead playing judge, jury, and executioner. That's quality content, right there.

1. Halloween

There's no denying the fact that Halloween is one of the greatest slasher movies ever conceived. And it goes without saying that anything the series touches basically turns to gold. Makes you wonder, of course, why such a prestigious franchise hasn't dabbled in the gaming realm all that much, right? Besides having a cameo in Dead by Daylight, both Michael Myers and the cult classic saga have been neglected for the best part of forty years.

There's plenty of room for growth with Halloween, and it's a real surprise that nobody has taken the time to explore it. Perhaps it's a legacy thing, and that developers are far too afraid that they'll wind up putting a stain on the series' reputation. Whatever it is, creators seem to fear going anywhere near it. Maybe that's a good thing, we're not entirely sure. And yet, we can't help but feel drawn towards the idea of playing the part of a helpless soul in Myers' twisted world.

So, what's your take? Do you agree with our top five? Let us know over on our socials here or down in the comments below.