FANGORIA's Chainsaw Awards celebrate the best of the best in horror across various entertainment industries. In the world of video games there's been plenty for genre fans to sink their teeth into over the past 18 months, but these nominees represent the ones that made an indelible impression on us. They made such an impression, that Fango created a brand new category this year: Best Video Game. From long-awaited survival horror sequels to creepy co-op experiences from the worlds of our favorite horror films, here are the first ever Chainsaw Awards nominees for Best Video Game.
Tune in Sunday, October 13th at 9pm ET to find out all the winners as we announce them live. Streaming exclusively on Shudder TV.
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Alan Wake 2
This long-awaited sequel from Remedy took the video game world by storm, capturing our hearts with an unforgettably spooky story and our ears with some undeniably catchy music. Alan Wake 2 placed us back in the shoes of the titular tortured writer as he fought to escape the Dark Place – a nightmarish version of New York – only this time he's not alone.
Out in the real world, players also take on the role of Saga Anderson, an FBI agent who's tasked with solving a series of ritualistic murders tied to a cult in Bright Falls, Washington. Little does she know this investigation will lead her on a dark, spiraling path straight to Alan. Combining rigorous detective work, Lynchian character drama, and snappy, intense combat, Alan Wake 2 brings to mind horror classics like Silent Hill and Resident Evil but with Remedy's signature touch.
In our review of Alan Wake 2, writer George Yang stated, “Remedy clearly had a vision for Alan Wake II. Rather than creating a by-the-numbers sequel with minor upgrades from its predecessor, they completely overhauled the world and level designs to make a much more captivating experience.” It's a survival horror game that gripped us with its thrilling story, compelling characters, and terrifying worlds.
Dead Space Remake
EA Motive's Dead Space Remake was one for the books. Once again taking on the role of Isaac Clarke, players were dropped into the grim, bloody carcass of the USG Ishimura to discover the terrifying truth of what happened to this mining vessel. The search isn't without its troubles, though, as Necromorphs – gangly reanimated corpses – are lurking around every shadowy corner. With the help of Isaac's trusty Plasma Cutter, you'll cut (to gruesome effect) your way through enemies to find the answers you seek, one limb at a time.
Not only did developer EA Motive give once-silent protagonist Isaac a voice as part of the remake treatment, but the Dead Space Remake is chock-full of impressive features that push it above its original. This includes the “peeling“ system, which blasts away enemy skin, fat, flesh, and bone with every shot, alongside haunting environments filled with breathtakingly eerie lighting and sound design that sends chills down your spine as you inch around every corner with bated breath. It's a remake that takes the best of the original Dead Space and builds on it to create an unforgettable and enhanced gaming experience.
Resident Evil 4 Remake
Capcom's Resident Evil remakes have so far proven to be memorable step-ups from the original games, taking a more modern approach with the help of Capcom's RE Engine, and Resident Evil 4 was another successful notch in the studio's belt. Players assume the role of Leon S. Kennedy, a US government special agent tasked with finding the President's daughter, Ashley, who's been kidnapped by a mysterious cult. The trail leads him to a village in Spain, where nothing is as it seems amongst the villagers.
Compared to the original, the world of Resident Evil 4 Remake is darker and more atmospheric thanks to modern day technology. That doesn't mean it eliminates the classic Resi touchstones, though. Puzzles remain a satisfying gameplay element, and its lineage-honoring level design rewards players as they journey deeper into its disturbing locale. On top of that, combat continues to shine, keeping the action pace and always knowing when it's time to put players back on their toes. Resident Evil 4 Remake marked another exciting enhancement from Capcom, and left us eagerly awaiting what they could come up with next.
Killer Klowns From Outer Space: The Game
They're craaazy and causing multiplayer mayhem! Killer Klowns from Outer Space: The Game was brought to life by IllFonic and Teravision Games, the former of whom you may recognize as the developers behind Friday the 13th: The Game. It's a game that captured our horror-loving hearts, giving us the opportunity to bring the cult classic movie to life by playing as either the citizens of Crescent Cove or the titular Klowns. Escaping (or kicking off) the Klownpocalypse became a thrilling part of our gaming year.
Killer Klowns is setting itself up for a bright future as well. With the recent addition of new playable human characters – including horror icons Elvira and Tom Savini, nonetheless – players can find great variety in who they play as alongside fun homages to the genre we know and love so much. With Killer Klowns, Illfonic has proven once again they understand how to craft a great horror multiplayer experience, and with such great DLC it looks like we can expect the escapades in Crescent Cove to continue into 2025.
The Texas Chain Saw Massacre
Multiplayer horror games had quite the year, and for those who hoped to be immersed in the world of Tobe Hooper's 1974 horror classic, The Texas Chain Saw Massacre delivered in every way. In this game, you can take on the role of the terrifying Slaughter family or their victims, hoping to find a way to freedom in a 3v4 structure. We stated that the game, “captures that summertime heated fear of the film by staying true to the aesthetics of Tobe Hooper's original,“ making it one of our standout gaming picks for this year.
And to keep you hooked (pun absolutely intended), The Texas Chain Saw Massacre continues to add exciting features for fans to enjoy. A new mode called ‘Rush Week' recently launched, taking inspiration from “late '70s Giallo-inspired Slasher films,“ per the game's website. It's clear that developers Sumo Digital and Gun Interactive are keen to keep the game's future alive and thriving in creative ways that pay homage to its horror roots, and as fans, we're forever grateful.
You're invited to watch with us live. We'll be live tweeting throughout the show, come on in and join the virtual party with #ChainsawAwards. As we gear up for the big day, tag us in your shared ballots, and all your Chainsaw party preparations! Print your official 2024 Chainsaw Awards official Ballot PDF right here.
Or if you prefer a jpeg, you can download that right here.
Thank you to our sponsors Vixen by Micheline Pitt, Shudder, Paramount Scares, Impale, The Criterion Collection, and RED for making this all possible! For more, check out our Chainsaw Awards survival guide.
