There are certain horror movies in the genre that have stood the test of time, setting benchmarks that many subsequent productions attempted to follow or emulate, inspired to shock and frighten their audiences in equal measure. But only the most iconic horror movies have extended their bloody reach into other mediums, unleashing their own particular brand of bedlam into the video gaming scene. Let’s take a look at the best examples.
Halloween (1978)
Often regarded as the definitive film of the slasher horror subgenre, Halloween (1978) was created by the twisted mind of horror maestro John Carpenter, turning murderous antagonist Michael Myers into one of the most unforgettable characters in movie history. Using the simple but chilling concept of an escaped lunatic out for revenge, the original production led to an entire franchise, with a thirteenth installment scheduled for release in October 2022.
While the continuity varies in each production series, including two complete remakes in 2007 and 2009 by Rob Zombie, the most recently produced trilogy provides the most direct sequel to the original 1978 movie. This includes the return of Jamie Lee Curtis in the role of Laurie Strode, with the other previously released sequels effectively retconned to fit the new narrative.
Interestingly, for such a successful franchise, until recently, there hasn’t been an official video game directly relating to the original 1978 movie. Titular lunatic Michael Myers has made cameo appearances, featuring in a special chapter of Dead by Daylight (2016) and Call of Duty: Ghosts (2013), yet only one game so far boasts official rights to the movie franchise itself. This is the Halloween online casino slot released by Microgaming, featuring videos and imagery from the movie, plus the haunting original soundtrack.
Microgaming has produced numerous slot games with official movie ties, many of which can be played at sites offering the best and latest casino bonuses, which have been carefully reviewed and rated by Vegas Slots Online, ensuring there are no nasty surprises awaiting players. Amongst the top casinos’ slots is Halloween, an officially licensed feature based on the movies, ideally suited to being turned into a game of chance. After all, chance and luck are what hapless victims in the movies always needed, if they were to escape the murderous intent of Michael Myers, as the spinning reels of the slot game clearly aim to faithfully represent.
Alien (1979)
Although there will be some who say this movie is firmly science-fiction, the essence of the plot and unfolding story of Alien were firmly within the horror genre. Think about what could be more frightening than being stuck aboard a spaceship, millions of miles away from any possible help, as a remorseless creature hunts down your crew, one by one. Not only is there deep fear of the unknown in the psychological horror of the situation but there’s also plenty of blood and gore when the creature finally encounters its human prey.
When it hit cinemas, literally just a couple of years after Star Wars created a fantasy universe filled with hopes and aspirations, Alien took it into the dark and unexplored corners of space. Essentially, it was akin to when “Here There Be Monsters” was fearfully scribbled on ancient sea maps, and this particular monster left one of the most lasting impressions in cinema history, even if the accompanying terror has arguably been lost in many of the subsequent franchise productions.
Believe it or not, since the original movie hit cinema screens back in 1979, there have been 59 video games featuring the terrifying titular extraterrestrial creature. They range from a Pac-Man-styled maze game released on the Atari 2600 in 1982, to several relating to the Alien vs. Predator movie franchise, up until the multi-platform release of Alien: Fireteam Elite in 2021. However, there’s one particular game that ties directly to the original Alien movie.
First released in 2014 by Sega and across all gaming platforms, then remastered by Feral Interactive in 2019 for mobile devices, Alien: Isolation is effectively a direct sequel to the original 1982 movie storyline. The plot follows Amanda Ripley, daughter of Alien protagonist Ellen Ripley, trying to solve the mystery of her mother’s disappearance, 15 years later and after finding the Nostromo flight recorder. Featuring sound effects and narratives from the original movie, this atmospheric game is filled with intense moments as players use stealth and guile, aiming to avoid and outsmart the lethal titular creature.
Love Letters to Classic Horror Movies
Perhaps what makes these two particular games most appealing, they lovingly attempt to capture what enraptured audiences when viewing the original movies. Both are filled with references to what made Halloween and Alien such excellent horror movies, filled with atmosphere and suspense, which is always difficult to recapture in different mediums.
