Halloween: The Game had a difficult mission: to make Michael Myers the protagonist without simply copying the formula of other asymmetrical multiplayer games. After playing the PS5 version, the feeling is quite positive. IllFonic understands what makes the original film special and uses Haddonfield to build matches where tension matters as much as chasing or escaping another player.
The core formula pits Michael Myers against four players, but introduces AI-controlled inhabitants scattered throughout the map. Survivors must not only focus on their own survival but also on helping their neighbors, finding resources, and searching for a way to escape. This small difference makes the matches more dynamic and gives Haddonfield the feel of a living, breathing place rather than a simple map designed for running around in circles.
Being Michael Myers is exactly what we expected
Stepping behind the mask is probably the most fun part. Michael doesn't desperately chase after his victims, but rather advances with that unsettling calm that has always characterized the character. To make that work in a video game, he has abilities to detect survivors, take advantage of shadows, or quickly appear in certain locations, giving the pursuit a more strategic element.
When we manage to get close to a victim, Halloween doesn't hold back either. There are straightforward executions and others involving elements of the environment, some quite creative, which add variety and fit the tone of a slasher film. The interesting thing is that playing as Michael isn't just about attacking: observing, cutting off escape routes, and deciding when to appear in front of another player is often much more satisfying.
There's also space to play alone
While multiplayer is clearly the core of the experience, IllFonic has included single-player content. The campaign serves to familiarize players with Michael's abilities as they revisit events from the 1978 film. It's not particularly long, but it works well as an introduction and shows enough affection for the franchise that a Halloween fan will want to explore each level at their leisure.
That respect for the original material is especially noticeable in Haddonfield. The houses, the cars, the decor, and numerous small details perfectly convey the late seventies. Exploring its streets at night has something special about it, even when you're not chasing anyone. It doesn't try to dazzle technically, but artistically it knows exactly which film it wants to evoke.
There are aspects that still need polishing
Our playthrough on PS5 also revealed some areas for improvement. We encountered some odd behavior from AI-controlled characters, animations that didn't always finish smoothly, and a few interaction and stability issues. These are noticeable problems, but during our play sessions, they didn't detract from the overall positive experience when everything clicks.
It's also worth noting that we played before the general release, so it's reasonable to expect adjustments and updates around launch time. Rather than focusing on these points in the review, we see them as aspects that IllFonic should continue to refine. The core gameplay is entertaining enough to make us eager to see how it evolves when more players are filling the servers and the studio has time to polish these minor flaws.
Price, platforms and final opinion
Halloween: The Game is launching on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. On PS5, the platform on which we conducted this review, the standard edition costs €39,99, while the Digital Deluxe edition goes up to €59,99. This is a significantly more reasonable price than is typical for major current releases and better reflects the game's scope and ambitions.
It doesn't aim to suddenly dethrone Dead by Daylight or completely reinvent asymmetrical horror. Its greatest strength lies elsewhere: it understands Halloween, lovingly recreates Haddonfield, and makes controlling Michael Myers as fun as you'd expect. It still needs some work in certain areas, but there's a good idea beneath the surface. For fans of the original film and those who enjoy this type of multiplayer, a visit to Haddonfield is easy to recommend.