Colorado-based developer IllFonic, known for asymmetrical multiplayer titles based on popular horror IPs like Friday the 13th: The Game and Predator: Hunting Grounds, has released its latest offering: Halloween: The Game. While the studio's previous games have focused solely on multiplayer, this new title includes a single-player campaign that, according to Game Informer, acts as an extended tutorial for the game's core mechanics.
A Brief Introduction to Michael Myers
The single-player campaign for Halloween: The Game clocks in at just a couple of hours. While players can extend this playtime by replaying chapters to complete optional objectives and unlock cosmetic rewards, its primary function is to introduce players to Michael Myers's abilities. Each chapter gradually introduces new aspects of his kit, intended to be honed and mastered in the game's multiplayer modes. Despite its brevity, the campaign is infused with a clear affection for John Carpenter's original 1978 film, which IllFonic states elevates the experience.
Familiar Jank and Visual Style
Players new to IllFonic's games will find the campaign offers a taste of the developer's signature "jank." While not described as game-ruining, this inherent instability contributes to the unpredictable nature of the studio's multiplayer titles. Performance is generally stable, but some bugs were encountered, such as players falling through floors or issues with hiding bodies. These glitches were deemed beyond the acceptable level of "jank" the developer typically includes, with hopes that they will be addressed through patches.
The campaign recreates key moments from the original film, including escaping Smith's Grove and stalking victims in Haddonfield. The game employs a filmic visual style that closely mirrors the movie's aesthetic, complete with film grain. The performances are adequate, with Dr. Loomis being the only standout character among the generally boilerplate cast of victims.
Gameplay Mechanics and Limitations
Playing as Michael Myers offers a terrifying experience, with his pained breaths and the environmental sounds contributing to an oppressive atmosphere. The gameplay loop involves stalking victims, completing minigames to increase their fear level, and then dispatching them through various means. These include using Michael's knife, his hands, improvised weapons like pitchforks and fire pokers, or environmental interactions for contextual kills, such as impaling victims on telephone poles or throwing them from elevated positions.
While the campaign provides a good time and showcases Michael's most notorious kills, it ultimately serves as a rudimentary introduction to the game's systems. The author expressed a desire for a more substantial single-player experience but acknowledged that the game's multiplayer component is its main draw. The campaign's conclusion sees Michael escaping Haddonfield, setting the stage for his encounters with players in online matches.
IllFonic's asymmetrical multiplayer games are defined by their online experiences, and the true test of Halloween: The Game will lie in its multiplayer offerings. With the single-player campaign completed, the focus now shifts to exploring the multiplayer modes, which include playing as Michael Myers or as one of the survivors. A full review of the multiplayer experience is forthcoming.