Slasher Films Get the Game Treatment in Party Hard (2015)

With Scream 6 getting closer to its March 10th release date, I thought I would do some slasher-related posts to tie in with the arrival of the much-anticipated sequel. Yet this post isn't about slasher films; instead, it's about a video game that was heavily influenced by slasher films, Party Hard. Party Hard was developed by PinoklGames released in 2015 by tinyBuild. 

Slasher films have had an impact on video games since the beginning, with both Halloween and Texas Chainsaw Massacre getting their own video games for the Atari 2600. In more recent years, Dead By Daylight has become the most popular slasher-themed game, and it includes DLC content that allows gamers to play as popular slashers such as Freddy Krueger, Michael Meyers, and even Ghostface himself. 

In contrast to other slasher games, Party Hard puts strategy above everything else. Gamers play as a serial killer who sneaks into a series of parties across the United States to kill every attendee. The parties take place in various locations such as rooftops, beaches, nightclubs and yachts, and players have to avoid getting caught in order to finish each level. The levels have plenty of traps players can use, including explosives, poisons and fires; however, even if partygoers don't see players set a trap, they can still be accused of being the killer in the panic that ensues. Each level takes place in a single screen--there are no other places to go outside of what is on the screen, which makes it very challenging to find places to knock off victims and hide bodies. 

What you see is what you get: one of the levels in Party Hard.

There is a series of cutscenes that tie all of the levels together into a single story, but that really isn't important. Party Hard is all about creative kills and high body counts, and that's it. When players finish the main campaign, there are also bonus levels, some extra DLC packs, and a workshop area where players have submitted their own custom-made levels.

If you're a slasher film buff like me, you'll find this game to be very appealing. Watching the party guests closely to spot opportunities to get rid of them puts you into to the blood-stained shoes of a silver screen slasher. Usually, the levels start off with taking out victims who wander away alone from the larger group (just like in a slasher film) and then slowly whittling down the number of guests to finish the level. If partygoers see you attack someone or if they get scared, they will call the cops and the level ends when you get arrested. Some levels include bouncers you have to avoid, because they will beat you up and that will end the level as well.

The only thing that I didn't like about this game is that it requires a LOT of patience. The levels have plenty of guests to kill off but not many places in which to do it, so players could spend plenty of time plotting out kills but wind up getting arrested due to a single mistake. (Dexter Morgan would be disappointed.) On the other hand, I was addicted enough to Party Hard that I would spend more time than I should have on a single level to finish it, even if most of that time was spent just watching the party guests wander about until one of them is alone. If you want a fast-paced, action-filled game that keeps you on your toes, Party Hard is NOT for you.

Party Hard was obviously made for slasher movie fans, so I can't imagine other kinds of gamers liking this title. So, if you find yourself itching for some slasher film action but want to play a video game instead, you'll want to try Party Hard.