Nato – Hack/Slash: Murderer’s Row
The Idea:
This may seem like a no-brainer, but I’m saying we need a fully licensed, totally immersive, start to finish badass game based on the exploits of Cassie Hack and her trusty sidekick Vlad. I know all the kids are talking about MMO games, and while online gaming is all the rage, there’s nothing better then a deep, weighty, time-consuming single player campaign that kicks so much ass – so here’s my pitch.
Pick about ten legendary slashers, create an entire world based on whatever the theme may be (for example, Freddy Krueger would have a nightmare world), create henchmen and other baddies Cassie has to fight her way through, throw in some epic puzzles, inject the same dark humor and horror homages, and you’ve got a brutal game I’d invest hours into. Sure, it sounds like anything else, but there’s something entirely more epic about controlling Cassie as you’re defeating horror icons left and right. This gives the opportunity to not only expand upon worlds and get creative with current horror universes, but it also gives Cassie the chance to interact with a bevy of characters. Think Brutal Legend meets God Of War, with co-op availability between Cassie and Vlad.
The Hook:
Killing monsters is one thing, and I know Cassie Hack is more of a cult icon, but let’s put it this way – what gamer wouldn’t want to dethrone the mightiest horror movie villains of all time while controlling a wickedly awesome goth chick with a twisted sense of humor? I’ll even outline the names I’d choose as “world” leaders: Freddy Krueger (Nightmare-type world), Jason (Camp Crystal Lake location), Chucky (Play Pals Toy Factory), IT (It’s an evil clown, throw him anywhere), Leprechaun (Generic town), Michael Myers (Mental institution), Victor Crowley (Honey Island Swamp), Leatherface (Country bumpkin community), Scream Mask Killer (Go Scream 3 and put her on a movie set), and for shits and giggles, a killer Christmas finale featuring Jack Frost (killer snowman), the Gingerdead Man, and Billy from Silent Night, Deadly Night. You want a hook? Putting Cassie Hack directly in contact with horror’s heaviest hitters, battling them on their home turf.
Think about it, with Chucky, you could bring out Tiffany and Glen/Glenda, or with Leatherface you’ve got the whole dysfunctional family, and hell, Cassie already met with Victor, so we KNOW that can happen. On the good side of things, maybe she runs into Dewey while tracking Mr. Scream, or maybe she runs into Marybeth while fighting Victor – the possibilities are endless, and the nerd factor breaks through the roof like a Wonka-vator.