The best games you can play as a slasher villain

As simple as it is, slasher horror is still an effective subgenre, as evidenced in games like Until dawn. Typically, players are forced to be the victims and escape the slasher villain, but occasionally the developers have given players the opportunity to take on the role of the slasher.

From single player to online multiplayer, the ability to play as a killer not only offers a different perspective, but also unique gameplay as so many slashers differ from each other. They range from masked killers who slaughter people with devices to intergalactic monsters who take people out one by one.

7 The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1983)

Surprisingly gory for an Atari 2600 game

• Developer: Wizard Video Games
• Release date: March 14, 1983
• System: Atari 2600
• Genre: Action side-scroller

One of the first video games based on a horror film, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre is a simple game for the Atari 2600, but also shockingly disturbing for its time. Not many video games were violent, let alone allowed the player to brutally murder innocent victims.

The iconic Leatherface is the playable character in the Atari 2600 version of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. The goal is simply to run around and use a chainsaw on women to score points, and this concept made the game quite controversial. Those who want a simple, endless point-gathering game to kill time should find some enjoyment in this.

6 Friday the 13th: Killer Puzzles

Killing as Jason Voorhees is puzzling

• Developer: Blue Wizard Digital
• Release date: January 20, 2018
• System: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Nintendo Switch, PC, Mobile.
• Genre: Puzzle game

Instead of mindlessly murdering, players must use their brains to solve puzzles to achieve the gory but cutely animated kills Friday the 13th: Killer Puzzles. Blue Wizard Digital has created a deceptively simple game in which players must move Jason Voorhees along the correct paths to eliminate all the victims on the screen.

Initially, Friday the 13th: Killer Puzzles Seems like a simple experience, but with each puzzle and chapter it becomes more and more difficult. Figuring out the right order and defeating enemies in specific ways helps the game live up to its title. As a bonus, the game also offers tons of Easter eggs for fans of the legendary slasher series, from costumes to details in the chapters.

5 Predator: Hunting Grounds

Humans versus Yautja for the ultimate hunt

With huge maps for humans and a Yautja hunter to accomplish their goals, Predator: Hunting Grounds brings the famous space hunter into the asymmetrical horror genre. Four players control a strike force of human soldiers, while one controls the titular Predator. The more experience a human gains, the more it is worth to the Yautja hunter.

Despite some balance issues that make the Yautja feel weaker than humans, Predator: Hunting Grounds is still a fun game in the Predator Franchise. It’s essentially a simulation of the first film’s concept, with many different Yautja classes to experiment with and figure out how best to hunt and take down humans.

4 Aliens vs. Predators (2010)

The most dangerous monsters in the galaxy

There were many games playing in the game Foreigner And Predator Franchises, including crossovers like the various Aliens versus predators games. The 2010 reboot retained the brutality and action-packed horror of the original titles, but was adapted to the modern era with new graphics and gameplay that still hold up today.

Aliens versus predatorsoffers a short but sweet campaign supported by a still functioning multiplayer mode. Additionally, players can take control of the Xenomorphs and Yautja hunters in both single and multiplayer modes, with unique gameplay and plenty of ways to kill enemies.

3 The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2023)

Feels like a playable version of the first film

Since Friday the 13th: The GameUnfortunately, since it is no longer available, a new game has been introduced to simulate the old school slasher experience in an asymmetrical horror game The Chainsaw Massacre in Texas. Like the Atari game, a player can control Leatherface, but this time there are more killers as several members of the Slaughter family are now playable.

With three players as murderers and four as victims, The Chainsaw Massacre in Texas can be as scary as it is exciting, depending on which side the player is on. Each character has different characteristics and abilities, allowing for experimentation of tactics, especially with other teammates.

2 Mortal Kombat X

The scariest characters in Mortal Kombat games

The roster for Mortal Kombat X features the many monsters and gods fans are used to, but also a variety of slasher villains to play as. There are more traditional slashers like Jason Voorhees and Leatherface that look, sound, and directly harken back to their respective franchises.

Mortal Kombat X also includes the Xenomorph as a playable character and the Predator, making the DLC for the game a huge love letter to classic horror films of the 70s and 80s. All four slasher villains offer unique gameplay and plenty of gore to fit the world Mortal Kombat.

1 Dead by daylight

Original and iconic slashers at your fingertips for gamers

Probably, Dead by daylight is the ultimate slasher game, whose huge success took the asymmetrical horror game genre to new levels and inspired games like The Chainsaw Massacre in Texas. One player controls a slasher villain of their choice while up to four survivors work together to escape by starting generators and opening a gate to the map.

With killers based on gritty realism, outlandish with supernatural elements or straight out of a science fiction story, Dead by daylight is a huge homage to horror films of the past. It’s even been lucky enough to partner with huge horror franchises and include playable slashers like Freddy Krueger, Michael Myers, Leatherface, Sadako Yamamura and Chucky the Doll as DLC.