Join BastichB as he explores another classic horror game for the Commodore 64: Friday the 13th, published by Domark in 1986.
Friday the 13th: The Computer Game, developed by Domark and released in 1986, marked the first gaming adaptation of the Friday the 13th film series. Designed for platforms like the Amstrad CPC, Commodore 64, and ZX Spectrum, the game tasked players with identifying and stopping Jason, the iconic horror antagonist, while also protecting themselves and their friends. Players had the freedom to explore various locations, both indoors and outdoors, with Jason and other characters moving about similarly. Jason’s ability to disguise himself as other characters added to the suspense, making it challenging to distinguish friend from foe until he reveals his true form.
Equipped with an assortment of improvised weapons—such as chainsaws, pitchforks, and machetes—players could use these items to fight back. The game was organized into five levels, with players assuming different character roles each time, randomly assigned at the start of each round. A unique feature, the “fear meter,” illustrated each character’s rising terror, represented by a woman’s face with increasingly alarmed expressions. The game used both a pseudo-3D perspective and a traditional side view, depending on the character’s location within the game world. Unlike its later NES counterpart, this game did not shy away from graphic horror elements, displaying scenes of violence that mirrored the intense visuals of the Friday the 13th films.
A strategic element involved locating a “sanctuary,” a safe zone where Jason could not enter, by using a Sanctuary Cross and persuading friends to gather there. However, Jason would inevitably continue hunting the most terrified character, adding an element of unpredictability and suspense to each round. This early adaptation captured the horror and thrill of the movie series, setting a benchmark for horror-themed video games.
