Updates

The successful Friday the 13th series takes its plunge into the 8-bit realm with its 1989 video game release. The plot is loosely based on Friday the 13th Part II though Jason has his iconic hockey mask. And the knife going into the hockey mask thing is from Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter. It's just a hodgepodge of the classic Friday the 13th films rolled into one game. In fact, there were already seven movies out by the time this game was released with Friday the 13th Part VIII: Jason Takes Manhattan only a few months away.

Now then, this is the first NES vs Film article I have done, so I might as well establish a formula. What I am going to do is find different elements of the game that resemble the films and compare them. While the choices are usually going to favor the films, it is still fun to compare and contrast.

- Story -

This one is pretty hard to say which is really better, because neither really has much of a story. It’s usually some generic plot that gets them set up to be killed by Jason. Though, the movies actually have some character development with Jason and his victims. The game just throws you into the thick of things with no character development. You just run around Crystal Lake and light fireplaces and run from zombies and birds and wolfs. I don't remember any of those things from any of the movies unless you count those shockers at the end of the movies. I also don’t recall a camp counselor having to run around the grounds finding clues and lighting the fireplaces. But I digress, the stories in the movies are far better simply because there is more to the characters... and you actually get to see blood!

- Crystal Lake -

The ominous lake in which Jason Voorhees drowned and started this whole mess. It's also the scene of most of the movies. So lets comparing the games atmosphere to the movies. The main difference between the game and the movies is that the game has shit flying all over the place hitting you left and right. This is far different then the ominously calm Crystal Lake with who knows what’s under its murky waters. Also the music is far better in the movies with the ever-popular "KI-Ki-ki-ki MO-Mo-mo-mo" thrown in there every so often. The game made a decent attempt at portraying the campgrounds and Crystal Lake, but there is too much stuff flying at you to make it frightening. I also like how Jason surfs across the screen when you’re rowing around in the lake.

- Victims -

Ah, yes, what’s a horror movie (or game) Without its victims? The game provides 6 faceless characters for you to throw to the slaughter. They are literally faceless. Look at the sprites when your playing the game.... and they have no back-stories. For all we know, they are a band of circus performers lost in the wilderness that so happens to be Crystal Lake. But that would just be silly. At least the movies flesh out these characters a little more, giving you some idea of who they are. The only difference in these 6 NES characters is how they control. Some are slow and can hardly jump, while others run really fast and can jump inhumanly high. Even though the movies have a cliché model for all of its characters, at least it gives you something to go off of.

- Jason Voorhees -

Now for the main reason you would be interested in anything Friday the 13th related, Jason Voorhees. Which one is more frightening? The one that actually produces blood when he kills someone. Basically, the most frightening part of the movies is the hunt and the tension built up before the kill. Then of course, Jason usually goes one step further giving us different ways to kill people. How Jason is presented in the game is lackluster at best. He occasionally attacks fellow counselors at which point, you run to their rescue. Once you reach the cabin, you must search it for Jason and fight him. You then enter one of the most laughable battles ever. He walks back and forth and occasionally comes after you, attempting to axe you. He is easily defeated, and you will also encounter him randomly in the over world, where again he is easily defeated. Though he doesn’t stay dead with all of the rocks and knifes you throw at him. You need to throw torches at him out in the open. Why? Who knows? He must be allergic to fire. You also get to see Mrs. Voorhees severed head too in the caves if you can find her. You can actually loot her sweater too and use it as armor (like in Friday the 13th Part II).

- Overall -

The game doesn’t to the movies any justice. It does however make you wish you were watching the movies instead; and in that respect, is successful. Because what more is a movie game then just an interactive advertisement that we pay for to play? The game does however get the basic idea of a Friday the 13th movie and in that aspect is rather successful. Though the game its self is shallow and pedantic (yes, a referencing Family Guy). But really, there isn’t much else going for the game. Rent the movies instead, play the game if you want to experience horrifyingly BAD game.

NES < Film

P.S. Best game over ever!

Articles: NES vs Film: Friday the 13th
	The successful Friday the 13th series takes its plunge into the 8-bit realm with its 1989 video game release. The plot is loosely based on Friday the 13th Part II though Jason has his iconic hockey mask. And the knife going into the hockey mask thing is from Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter. It's just a hodgepodge of the classic Friday the 13th films rolled into one game. In fact, there were already seven movies out by the time this game was released with Friday the 13th Part VIII: Jason Takes Manhattan only a few months away. Now then, this is the first NES vs Film article I have done, so I might as well establish a formula. What I am going to do is find different elements of the game that resemble the films and compare them. While the choices are usually going to favor the films, it is still fun to compare and contrast. - Story - This one is pretty hard to say which is really better, because neither really has much of a story. It’s usually some generic plot that gets them set up to be killed by Jason. Though, the movies actually have some character development with Jason and his victims. The game just throws you into the thick of things with no character development. You just run around Crystal Lake and light fireplaces and run from zombies and birds and wolfs. I don't remember any of those things from any of the movies unless you count those shockers at the end of the movies. I also don’t recall a camp counselor having to run around the grounds finding clues and lighting the fireplaces. But I digress, the stories in the movies are far better simply because there is more to the characters... and you actually get to see blood! - Crystal Lake - The ominous lake in which Jason Voorhees drowned and started this whole mess. It's also the scene of most of the movies. So lets comparing the games atmosphere to the movies. The main difference between the game and the movies is that the game has shit flying all over the place hitting you left and right. This is far different then the ominously calm Crystal Lake with who knows what’s under its murky waters. Also the music is far better in the movies with the ever-popular "KI-Ki-ki-ki MO-Mo-mo-mo" thrown in there every so often. The game made a decent attempt at portraying the campgrounds and Crystal Lake, but there is too much stuff flying at you to make it frightening. I also like how Jason surfs across the screen when you’re rowing around in the lake. - Victims - Ah, yes, what’s a horror movie (or game) Without its victims? The game provides 6 faceless characters for you to throw to the slaughter. They are literally faceless. Look at the sprites when your playing the game.... and they have no back-stories. For all we know, they are a band of circus performers lost in the wilderness that so happens to be Crystal Lake. But that would just be silly. At least the movies flesh out these characters a little more, giving you some idea of who they are. The only difference in these 6 NES characters is how they control. Some are slow and can hardly jump, while others run really fast and can jump inhumanly high. Even though the movies have a cliché model for all of its characters, at least it gives you something to go off of. - Jason Voorhees - Now for the main reason you would be interested in anything Friday the 13th related, Jason Voorhees. Which one is more frightening? The one that actually produces blood when he kills someone. Basically, the most frightening part of the movies is the hunt and the tension built up before the kill. Then of course, Jason usually goes one step further giving us different ways to kill people. How Jason is presented in the game is lackluster at best. He occasionally attacks fellow counselors at which point, you run to their rescue. Once you reach the cabin, you must search it for Jason and fight him. You then enter one of the most laughable battles ever. He walks back and forth and occasionally comes after you, attempting to axe you. He is easily defeated, and you will also encounter him randomly in the over world, where again he is easily defeated. Though he doesn’t stay dead with all of the rocks and knifes you throw at him. You need to throw torches at him out in the open. Why? Who knows? He must be allergic to fire. You also get to see Mrs. Voorhees severed head too in the caves if you can find her. You can actually loot her sweater too and use it as armor (like in Friday the 13th Part II). - Overall - The game doesn’t to the movies any justice. It does however make you wish you were watching the movies instead; and in that respect, is successful. Because what more is a movie game then just an interactive advertisement that we pay for to play? The game does however get the basic idea of a Friday the 13th movie and in that aspect is rather successful. Though the game its self is shallow and pedantic (yes, a referencing Family Guy). But really, there isn’t much else going for the game. Rent the movies instead, play the game if you want to experience horrifyingly BAD game. NES < Film P.S. Best game over ever!