Game: Halloween: The Game
Developer: Illfonic/Gun Interactive
Platform: PS5
Status: Early Access, launch day September 8, 2026
Time Played: 7 hours
Review Date: September 4, 2026
EARLY ACCESS DISCLAIMER
Please note: these are my opinions and thoughts. Opinions are not facts. This game is in early access as of today that I am writing this, September 4, 2026, 8 hours into early access. A post was also released at 7:30 pm EST on September 4th:
From the developers:
https://x.com/HalloweenTVG/status/2096018013027700860
“Thanks to all the players who have joined us in Haddonfield so far during our Early Access launch for Halloween: The Game.
Earlier today, our team deployed fixes for single-player challenges and VOIP and continues to monitor player feedback.
Later tomorrow, we’ll be pushing an update that introduces additional fixes for various crashes, an issue preventing Michael’s downed minigame from displaying as intended, and game resolution not displaying correctly on Xbox Series S while in Performance Mode.
Players can also look forward to our Day One Patch on 9/8/2026, which will bring further fixes and improvements. We’re just getting started.”
So give grace; they are aware of issues and will fix. It’s only been 8 hrs. Thanks, now on to my thoughts and first impressions!
My First Impressions
Halloween the Game Early Access is finally here! I have been looking forward to this day ever since the trailer announcement! So what do I think?
Early Access and Launch Issues
I love this game, but fixes/patches are needed. The game never received a beta, so they are monitoring it as we speak. But why negative criticism on a game that is not out till Tuesday and only 8 hours old?
The Bloody Disgusting Review and Online Reactions
Two words: Bloody Disgusting
Now I love the site, don’t get me wrong, but the review they left the other day already planted the seed in many people’s minds. Also, some larger creators had early access, so they played yesterday (9/3). I avoided watching these streams as I didn’t want any spoilers, and honestly, some gamers are hive like mentality, like high school. One person, they like to say it’s bad, then it’s bad without them finding out for themselves. I hate this notion.
I won’t turn this into a Gen Z rant, but I will say I don’t listen to their opinions for anything because these are the same group of people that loved Skinamarink, and that film was boring as all hell. They thought Weapons was a great film IT SUCKED. I won’t ever see eye to eye with someone who is half my age or younger, and I’m not trying to.
Anyway, so here’s what I think of the game, independently, and having played it for 7 hours, and I’ll be blunt and honest, not kissing any ass.
Playing the Story Mode
So as soon as I started streaming, even though I downloaded patch before early access. I was put into a queue. I was number 20,560. I only know this number cause I was texting my friend and told her, so I’m not pulling this number out of my ass or exaggerating. It took a few minutes, and I was just vibing to John Carpenter’s theme and talking in chat. Once it was my turn in the queue, the game suggests playing the story mode so it teaches you how to play as Michael and learn how to stalk, etc.
The prologue starts in the mental institution, and you need to leave. You also start to learn the game mechanics. Michael was drugged with a sedative, so he’s not 100%, and you’re relying on brute strength here before abilities. The abilities get introduced one by one.
It follows Halloween ’78 mostly, with a few new ideas. I don’t want to ruin the story mode, but please play it; it’s so good, especially if you’re a huge Halloween fan.
I made it to Chapter 3 (there are 5 chapters total) when I got kicked from the story mode. I checked other streamers quickly, and it seems that everyone got booted universally.
But it came with one problem. My story mode progress was not saved, and I have to do it over.
Now, normally, a story mode, which also acts as a tutorial, wouldn’t be a big deal, but this is how you earn cosmetics and other rewards. I don’t mind starting over, but it was a pain, but at least I get a second chance to be better.
Playing as Michael Meyers
Playing as Michael is incredibly fun, and yes, it is very similar to playing as Jason Vorhees/Friday the 13th (Gun is involved, after all, but this is mainly an Illfonic game), so throughout my stream (I’ll link the YouTube link as soon as it uploads to YouTube here) I did make those distinctions while playing during stream.
One thing I love about Gun is their attention to detail with movies in their games, very evident in Friday the 13th, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, and Halloween the Game. They include every detail, big and small, and should be appreciated as such.
Multiplayer and playing as Civilian/Survivor
Since I didn’t feel like doing the story mode right after it didn’t save, I decided to brave it and get on multiplayer. My friend and I played a few private matches, but nothing prepares you for public matches lol.
I didn’t realize my first public match I was set to Michael, so I was Michael. I didn’t do too badly, but the lobby decided to all get shotguns and wait for me by the escape car. So since I can be petty too and they wanted to waste time, so can I. I won’t play as Michael until I finish story mode properly and understand his abilities. Michael plays sort of like Jason, but so much more so that it is not identical gameplay. He stalks people from afar; he does not run, and he is a brutal killer.
Survivor is a bit confusing, but I got the hang of it. It’s a mix of Texas and Friday. Getting out is not so clear to me, and I was playing with a friend who kept complaining about things, not realizing it was me who did simple safety things like locking the door, etc. We are all learning how to play, so give grace, please.
Also, I just turned 51 on Monday and am stressed out; just chill and have a good time 🙂
As a survivor, you have to escape, but also talk to civilians, let them know what’s going on, and try to save them. There are also skill checks while calling the cops and using escape options. Again, since it was early access, I had issues and kept failing when I pressed buttons accurately. Again, no big deal. I know it’ll be fixed.
When you die, there are mini-games very similar to Killer Klowns from Outer Space the game to help current survivors. If you’re brought back, you can play either as a cop or even Dr. Loomis! There are several ways to escape: repairing a car, storm cellar, police wagon, and a gate? (Not sure what the gate is; haven’t done it as of this writing)
Also, my game crashed as I was about to end my stream and raid out, which I took as a sign to just stop playing for the day and make new progress tomorrow.
My verdict on Halloween: The Game
So what’s the verdict:
I like this game a lot and really enjoyed myself. Michael will take a while to learn and master. As well as being a good survivor, you need to help teammates, not shove them, and talk in voice chat.
If you don’t play like it’s DBD and play with a good group of fun-loving friends, you should have a good time.
If you’re someone who complains constantly and can’t have fun gaming with others in multiplayer, this isn’t for you. Play an FPS or something. Or play GTA VI when it comes out (if your gf lets you LOL)
Hot take: horror games are for horror fans that can appreciate things
If you’re not a horror fan but can have fun playing, then give it a shot
But if you heard about others saying it’s bad and you want to return the game or not play it because of that, why listen to others? Play it for yourself, make your own mind and decisions.
Final Thoughts
I’ll get off my soapbox, but I really enjoyed this game. If you don’t, that’s valid, whatever. I respect that. But again, give grace; it’s not launch day yet, ok?
Have a good one, everybody 🙂
