The Texas Chain Saw Massacre Vs Dead by Daylight

Online asymmetrical survival horror games are a force of nature that only few have the power to tame, and the vast majority simply fail to grasp. Sure enough, Dead by Daylight is just one of the select few IPs that has the mettle to construct something substantial and still manage to find a way to keep it evolving several years down the line. Knowing that, it’s understandable why so many eagle-eyed creators have resorted to the niche genre to get their slice of the ever-growing cash cow. The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, for example, is one that’ll be joining the roster at some stage in late 2023 — and what a ride that’s shaping up to be.

Of course, with a surplus of asymmetric survival horror games on the market, it does beg the question — which one is the best, mechanically, visually, and aurally? To that we say, well, there are really only two frontrunners in the race — and those are Dead by Daylight, and The Texas Chain Saw Massacre. If you’re curious to know which of the two is the better game, then be sure to read on for the full breakdown. Dead by Daylight Vs The Texas Chain Saw Massacre — which IP is better, and which of the two has the strongest future in the gaming industry?

What Is Dead by Daylight?

In short, Dead by Daylight is an online asymmetric survival horror game—a hub, if you like, that hosts an enormous variation of themed episodes that feature some of the most iconic killers and monsters in the world of horror. It’s within this portal that, as either a survivor or a villain, you must band together with your team and complete a series of objectives over one of several maps. If you’re a survivor, then your sole purpose is to avoid the grasp of the villain, and in turn secure your freedom via one of few escape routes. This involves having to carry out a variety of team-based tasks, which often includes refuelling and repairing generators among other chores.

The villains are another story, as they’re only duty is to hunt down and kill the survivors before they flee. Thanks to each villain having an arsenal of tools, abilities, and supernatural powers, these prolific hunters boast an immediate advantage over the field. Just as well, because like a lot of games of the same style, there is only one killer, and four survivors.

Since coming to light back in 2016, Dead by Daylight has managed to absorb dozens of iconic sagas, including Scream, Stranger Things, Halloween, and yes, even The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. So, if it’s an all-in-one horror anthology you’re after, then boy, you’ve only gone and found the Holy Grail.

What Is The Texas Chain Saw Massacre?

The Texas Chain Saw Massacre is almost identical in design, as it hosts an asymmetrical experience that’s made up of PvP action and team-based tasks. The only major difference here, of course, is the characters, as well as the locations. Other than these two things, though, the video game adaptation of the cult classic 1974 movie is borderline Dead by Daylight material, and one that fans of the subcategory will surely feel right at home with.

Sure enough, this isn’t the first title to borrow ideas from Dead by Daylight, nor will it be the last, either. Matter of fact, the asymmetric horror scene has induced a number of established adaptations into its library over the past few years; Friday the 13th, Evil Dead, and Phasmophobia, to name but a few. So, if you’re an avid keeper of all things Dead by Daylight, then there’s no doubt about it — The Texas Chain Saw Massacre is a near-perfect addition to any catalog.

Gameplay

Fortunately for newcomers, games like Dead by Daylight and The Texas Chain Saw Massacre share a wide array of goals and perspectives. In a typical fashion, a game would be played in a one-versus-four format, with the latter half assuming the roles of survivors, and the fifth playing one of several killers. This is all textbook stuff, and only very rarely do the rules change to accommodate new seasonal events, characters, or side activities. Typically, though, the rules are simple: avoid detection, and escape with your tails tucked firmly between your legs.

Rounds in a bog-standard Dead by Daylight session can last anywhere from five to twenty or so minutes, depending on the team you’re working with and the killer’s experience in dealing with meddling survivors. Regardless of the time, the goals are usually the same, which means a few matches will quickly give you an idea of how the world works and how the killer’s instincts directly influence the narrative. Turns out, the same applies in The Texas Chain Saw Massacre: the Slaughter family holds an advantage, and the survivors are weaker, but essentially stronger in numbers. Swings and roundabouts, really.

Verdict

Given the fact that The Texas Chain Saw Massacre is still in its infancy, it wouldn’t be fair to discard it before allowing it the time to establish a foothold. Yes, nearly every one of its assets are built on cliches and tropes, but it does provide an excellent starting point for fans of the movie saga to delve into the lives of the notorious Slaughter family tree and all the gore-riddled antics of the state in question. So, hardly a step in the wrong direction, then.

Technically speaking, we could sing The Texas Chain Saw Massacre’s praises for paragraphs without fail, but when all’s said and done, we’d only be casting an unwanted shadow over Dead by Daylight, an IP that has single-handedly managed to build a reputation that’s worth celebrating. Eight years later and it still has the flexibility to absorb more, and not to mention the support to poach millions of new players for its lobby that, even without the newly acquired Nicolas Cage story arc, already has a phenomenal amount.

The fact that Dead by Daylight is not only easy to pick up and play, but also littered with just about every iconic survivor and killer from forty-plus years of material, it’s fair to say that there are no alternative candidates on the current market capable enough to hoist the banner for established asymmetrical survival horror video games. Not to the same extent, anyway. And honestly, I’d be lying if said Dead by Daylight isn’t likely to build any new bridges in 2024. Heck, I’d be surprised if it wasn’t still kicking up turf in 2026.

So, what’s your take? Do you agree with our verdict? Let us know your thoughts over on our socials here.