What Is Friday the 13th: Killer Puzzle?
Ever since the early days of video games, horror has proven to be a popular genre. Having the ability to play within these stories and experience these scares first-hand allows for shocks and an adrenaline rush that many gamers find exhilarating. When studios get the chance to adapt a horror movie franchise, players get to dabble in their favourite films and face off against their favourite horror baddies.
Horror movies have had video game tie-ins as far back as the early 80s, with 1983’s Halloween for the Atari 2600, all the way up to the recent release of Evil Dead: The Game and The Texas Chain Saw Massacre. Both of these titles, like many horror games in recent years, have followed the asymmetrical multiplayer formula popularised by 2017’s Friday the 13th. But what if we were to tell you that there was another game based on everybody’s favourite hockey mask-wearing slasher that doesn’t need online servers, and best of all you will always get to play as Jason?
Game Snapshot
Developer: Blue Wizard Digital
Publisher: Blue Wizard Digital
Release Date: 2018
Platforms: PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, PC, mobile
Genre: Puzzle / horror
Gameplay
Releasing less than a year after its bigger budgeted brother, Friday the 13th: Killer Puzzle couldn’t be any different from the multiplayer game. You play as Jason, and it’s up to you to hunt down and kill all the campers across 150 levels. Set from an isometric view, you must move around obstacles and avoid hostile enemies to get to your targets and kill them. When the final girl appears, you must manage to get to them and complete a timed mini-game to deliver the kill with a cinematic camera angle.
The first dozen levels are set at the iconic Crystal Lake where it all began and the game moves through the history of Jason Voorhees, with iconic levels like a prison and Manhattan as well as the spaceship from Jason X, with a few surprises thrown in too. As you progress through the game you unlock more weapons to murder with, as well as over 15 skins for Jason, many of which can be used with or without his mask. Don’t worry if you fail the level though. The decapitated head of Mrs Voorhees will appear to encourage you to give her boy the chance to go back and restart the level.
As the game goes on the puzzles become more complex, with more obstacles added as well as some very clever traps that Jason can scare his victims into.
Extra Modes
Once you finish the main levels of Friday the 13th: Killer Puzzle there are two extra modes that are worth your attention. Daily Death gives you a new puzzle each day and returning every day gets you a kill streak to unlock more goodies. Murder Marathon takes away the puzzle element of the game and just gives you those sweet close-up kills. The difficulty here is the timed mini-game changes difficulty with each round. Mrs Voorhees will only allow you one miss, so try your best to get the highest kill streak possible, earning you more unlockables as you level up.
Scoring
| Category | Score |
|---|---|
| Replayability | 8/10 |
| Gameplay | 7/10 |
| Graphics | 7/10 |
| Puzzles | 8/10 |
| Average | 7.5/10 |
Final Word
What Killer Puzzle delivers is a playable love letter to one of Hollywood’s longest running horror franchises. Taking elements from over 30 years and 12 movies, these types of projects are few and far between and you definitely owe it to yourself to check it out. Maybe pick it up for Halloween? Friday the 13th: Killer Puzzle is available on PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch and PC via Steam.
FAQ
Is Friday the 13th: Killer Puzzle still available to buy?
Friday the 13th: Killer Puzzle was delisted from Steam due to licence expiry issues related to the Friday the 13th property. Console versions may still be available on storefronts. Check the PlayStation Store and Xbox Store for availability in your region.
Do you need to be a fan of the Friday the 13th films to enjoy Killer Puzzle?
Not at all. While fans of the franchise will appreciate the references to specific films and Jason’s various looks across the movies, the core puzzle gameplay stands on its own merits and is enjoyable regardless of your knowledge of the horror series.
Is there a multiplayer mode in Friday the 13th: Killer Puzzle?
No, Friday the 13th: Killer Puzzle is a single-player puzzle game. This is a key distinction from the other Friday the 13th game, which was the asymmetrical multiplayer title. Killer Puzzle never requires online servers to play.
Useful Links
Blue Wizard Digital Official Site
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