7 Dead Asymmetrical Multiplayer Horror Games That Deserved Better

Key Takeaways

Asymmetrical horror multiplayer games face high competition and quick decline due to unmet potential.
Dead by Daylight stands out as successful, while other titles like Texas Chainsaw Massacre struggle.
Popular horror game titles like V/H/S, Evil Dead, and Friday the 13th faced premature demise.

As a seasoned gamer with decades of experience under my belt, I must say it’s always heartbreaking to see games that once brought joy and excitement to millions of players fade into oblivion. The tales of V/H/S, Evil Dead: The Game, and Friday the 13th: The Game are tragic reminders of the ephemeral nature of video game entertainment.

In the realm of gaming, the multiplayer horror community, characterized by its asymmetrical structure, is arguably the cruelest. Players here are often hardcore competitors, investing countless hours to perfect their skills, dominating every game they join without mercy. What’s more, it seems that many of these games share a grim fate, much like their characters, destined for eventual extinction.

Dead by Daylight has managed to elude the grasp of the Grim Reaper, and its prosperity might be the cause of other games’ disappointing performances. Many games were hyped as the “DbD‘s Rival” but ended up following a similar destiny to Dead by Daylight. They started off with promising weeks filled with excitement and enjoyment, but ultimately they joined the ranks of other unsuccessful multiplayer horror games that have failed.

8 The Texas Chainsaw Massacre

Proved Itself to be the Scariest Horror Multiplayer

7 Dead Asymmetrical Multiplayer Horror Games That Deserved Better

Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S/X
Released: August 18th, 2023
Developers: Sumo Digital Ltd

The Texas Chainsaw Massacre video game generated a lot of excitement, with its trailer offering glimpses of truly nerve-wracking suspense. It also showcased cooperative play where friends could team up as survivors or the Sawyer family. Horror enthusiasts couldn’t wait for its launch, and it attracted a large player base who declared it their favorite asymmetrical horror game. They enjoyed sneaking around the estate in search of an exit, or taking on the role of Bubba or another member of the Sawyer family to hunt down the survivors.

However, the number of its players has significantly decreased over time and appears to be still declining. The game transitioned into a “pay-to-win” model with its DLCs, causing many gamers to leave, leaving it in a state where it resembles most of its earlier versions, barely hanging on for survival, with little hope of recovery. It’s unfortunate that a game as terrifying and groundbreaking as The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, one of the scariest multiplayer horror games available today, finds itself in this state.

7 6 Ghostbusters: Spirits Unleashed

Take on the Role of a Ghostbuster

Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One, PS5, Xbox Series X/S
Release Date: October 18, 2022
Developers: Illfonic

The movie “Ghostbusters” is a cherished classic that follows a group of individuals who specialize in capturing bothersome spirits haunting New York City. Using their famous Proton Packs, they trap these ghosts. The film’s premise lends itself perfectly to an asymmetrical multiplayer game, and this was translated into the title “Spirits Unleashed.

In this game, users can tailor their ghost-busting character to suit their preference, team up with others on multiple maps, and even control a ghost character that aims to terrorize locations. The atmosphere is lighthearted, ideal for casual gaming sessions, and has been enjoyable for many. However, it seems more players are leaving the game than joining, perhaps due to trying new games or the initial excitement wearing off. Despite its potential demise, it’s a shame to see such an entertaining title potentially join the ranks of abandoned multiplayer games. It deserved more time in the spotlight.

5 Last Year: The New Nightmare

Work Together to Survive the Nightmare

Platforms: PC
Release Date: October 26th, 2020
Developers: Elastic Games

Previous Year’s The Nightmare appeared set to offer an enjoyable and bustling multiplayer horror experience, gaining traction among certain YouTube personalities upon its debut, prompting others to give it a try. However, if they had delved into it, they would have encountered an engaging 4 versus 1 gameplay dynamic, where four players take on the roles of teens attempting to survive by choosing from assault, technician, scout, or medic. Their objective was to accomplish various tasks and escape, while the Killers’ mission was to thwart their efforts.

With numerous maps, combined classes, and a plethora of interactions to explore, Last Year: The Nightmare offered a diverse and entertaining experience. However, due to financial difficulties, it was taken down from all platforms, leaving its owners unable to play it. Although the game was re-released as Last Year for free in 2023, sadly, the player base never truly recovered, and it now appears that the game’s future is uncertain.

4 Propnight

A Horrific Take on the Classic Prop Hunt Game

Platforms: PC
Released: November 30th, 2021
Developers: Fntastic

Prop Hunt is an entertaining twist on the classic game of hide and seek. In this game, players take turns being either the hidden ones or the hunters. The hidden players must camouflage themselves by assuming the shapes of various objects scattered throughout the map, while the hunters aim to locate them by spotting props that might have just moved or seem out of place. Amusing scenes often ensue when a player attempts to escape from a barrage of bullets, disguised as something as innocuous as an empty soup can.

Propnight adapted this concept, introducing an unbalanced terror theme where one participant manages a fearsome character, pursuing others. The remaining players assume the roles of survivors, aiming to fix machinery for their escape while staying vigilant against the hunter. They may also try to hide themselves to avoid capture. Unfortunately, its servers were closed on January 22nd, 2024, as it faced a dwindling player base, despite providing exciting gameplay during its active period.

3 V/H/S

Immaculate 80s Vibes and the Power to Fight Back

Platforms: PC
Released: July 18th, 2022
Developers: Hellbent Games

Instead of getting mixed up with the movie franchise titled “V/H/S” or “Video Horror Society”, let me clarify that this scenario puts 4 teenagers in a situation where they confront a monster taken from a horror video rented at a store. The game’s design mirrors the movie, with tape symbolizing injuries and each character wearing outfits characteristic of the ’80s decade. The teens scour the maps for weapons to ward off the relentless monster hunting them down, while they also prepare those weapons to ensure their survival.

The game was incredibly enjoyable, but there were swift lines for battling monsters, which turned out to be the issue. It was much more engaging to play as a teenager, resulting in too few players assuming the monster role. As queue times persistently increased due to a dwindling player base displeased with the game’s progression, September 8th, 2023, unfortunately marked its removal from stores, and the servers were ultimately shut down. With appropriate adjustments and updates, V/H/S had the potential to excel.

2 Evil Dead: The Game

Based on the Popular Movie Franchise

A non-licensed horror game modeled after a well-known series, featuring an unbalanced structure? It appeared as if no problems could arise…for a while, this was indeed accurate. The game attracted countless players who assumed roles like Ash and others, or demonic entities to defeat their opponents before they could be expelled by an arsenal of weapons. The game received numerous updates and expansions, suggesting its success and potential longevity, bringing delight to gamers worldwide.

Until September 19th, 2023, Saber Interactive stopped supporting the game by announcing that while the servers would stay active, they were essentially leaving it behind. There would be no more updates, patches or additional content. While players can still enjoy the game, it’s just a matter of time before it gets turned off permanently, and currently, only around 11 people are playing it on Steam at any given moment. In its current state, there seems little reason to play this now-defunct game, which once was popular and offered plenty of entertainment.

1 Friday the 13th: The Game

Copyright Battles Led to This Game’s Premature Demise

The Friday the 13th series, renowned for its slasher movie genre, is famous worldwide for Jason’s chilling portrayal as he haunts camp counselors and unruly youths across numerous films. Some instalments even venture into unique settings like space or confronting legendary nightmare figure Freddy Krueger. Given the success of asymmetrical horror games during that period, it was only logical for developers to explore creating a multiplayer game within this popular franchise.

The Game was an extraordinary game that offered authentic frightening moments and came incredibly close to replicating movie experiences in a video game format. Players could control either one of the unfortunate counselors or Jason himself, with roles being chosen at random to introduce an element of unpredictability. Unfortunately, the game looked set for success until legal complications arose, causing the servers to be closed down in 2020. While peer-to-peer matchmaking is still available, it’s not really practical for playing the game, and Friday the 13th: The Game will officially cease to exist at the end of 2024.

2024-10-01 20:08