So, you’ve decided to delve into the brutal world of Texas Chainsaw Massacre. Before we proceed, a fair warning: learning the ins and outs of this game might strip away some of the initial horror and surprise. But if you’re committed to mastering this game, you’re in the right place. This guide will cover everything from the basic mechanics to advanced strategies for both victims and the cannibal family.

The Duality of Horror and Strategy

At its core, Texas Chainsaw Massacre is a 3v4 asymmetrical horror game inspired by the 1974 cult classic. The victims spawn in the basement, desperately scavenging for tools and planning their escape. Meanwhile, the Sawyer family is on the hunt, setting traps and feeding Grandpa to enhance his deadly abilities.

As a victim, your initial experience might be chaotic and terrifying. However, as you grow familiar with the maps and mechanics, the game shifts into a more strategic battle of wits.

Surviving as a Victim

Gathering Essentials

Your first goal is to find tools such as:

• Lock Picks: Required to unlock doors and access new areas.
• Bone Shards: Useful for disabling traps or performing sneak attacks.
• Health Kits: Temporarily stop the bleeding but won’t fully heal.

The basement, guarded by Leatherface, serves as the starting point. Prioritize finding a lock pick to access locked doors, but be mindful of the noise you generate.

Mastering the Mini-Games

Rummaging and lock-picking are crucial skills for victims. Both involve mini-games that balance speed and stealth:

• Rummaging: Progress fills a noise meter. Faster searching risks alerting the family, while slower, cautious searching minimizes noise.
• Lock Picking: Requires precise timing. Filling the meter too quickly shatters the tool, leaving you exposed.

Opt for quick decisions if you sense the family is close. The longer you linger, the higher the risk of being discovered.

Navigating the Map

• Crawl Spaces and Cracks: Offer temporary invincibility but can be destroyed or blocked by certain family members.
• Windows and Wells: Allow quick escapes at the cost of health.
• Pallets: Act as barriers against the family but are destructible.

Knowing the map layout is half the battle. Memorize key escape routes and potential hiding spots.

The Art of Escaping

There are four possible exits:

1. Main Exit: Requires disabling an electric fence with a generator.
2. Rear Exit: Needs a car battery powered down and a locked gate opened.
3. Pressure Gate: Involves a pressure valve with a limited open window.
4. Basement Exit: Demands a fuse and a simple puzzle.

Choose your exit based on the items you find and the family members on patrol.

Playing as the Family

Setting the Traps

• Leatherface: Destroys obstacles and guards the basement.
• Hitchhiker: Sets traps and can move through crawl spaces.
• The Cook: Locks doors and uses sound detection to reveal victims.

Your early game should focus on setting traps and collecting blood for Grandpa, who levels up and reveals victims periodically.

Managing Grandpa

Feeding Grandpa blood enhances his detection abilities:

• Level 1: Reveals moving victims.
• Max Level: Reveals all victims regardless of movement.

As a family member, guarding Grandpa and ensuring a steady blood supply can turn the tide.

Countering Victim Tactics

• Sound and Vision: Use the Cook’s detection abilities to pinpoint victims.
• Lockdown: Trap exits and secure high-traffic areas to limit victim movement.
• Coordinated Hunts: Communicate with teammates to cut off escape routes.

The Inevitable Evolution of the Meta

As players master the mechanics, expect the meta to shift. Powerful builds and optimized strategies will emerge, potentially dampening the horror aspect. To stay ahead, keep experimenting with different builds and roles.

Final Thoughts

Texas Chainsaw Massacre may not have the longevity of other asymmetrical horror games, but mastering its brutal mechanics can provide a thrilling experience. Embrace the chaos, learn the maps, and above all, try to enjoy the ride—while it lasts.

Good luck out there, and may your chainsaw never stall!