My heart races and palms drip with sweat as I mash my mechanical keyboard in an effort to escape the house. When a piercing chain saw roars nearby, minutes of thoughtful strategy and diligent stealth go out the window with me as I lunge at the pane of glass separating my character from the outside world.
Bathed in sunlight and shards of glass, I take a moment to relish in the safety of the front yard. That’s a mistake. My heart stops as the Hitchhiker spots me from across the grass and heads right in my direction. His pocketknife connects with my back and slashes through the skin. My blood dripping and adrenaline coursing, I make a last ditch effort to sprint away on the dusty country roads. A screen pops up congratulating me for surviving this match of the Texas Chain Saw Massacre game. Finally, I let out a sigh of relief.
When Gun Interactive, publisher of Friday the 13th: The Game, offered WIRED a chance to play the demo build of its upcoming game, I jumped at the opportunity to try out another horror game. Dead by Daylight remains one of my favorite games, with its endless replayability and moments of community. I was curious whether another asymmetrical horror experience could capture my fascination, and the bloodbath in Texas did not disappoint.
