Michael Myers isn’t the only constant in Haddonfield. The new trailer for IllFonic’s upcoming Halloween video game leans heavily on Dr. Loomis, who once again returns to warn about the unstoppable evil lurking in the shadows on October 31.
With narration heavily inspired by Donald Pleasence’s iconic performance in the original 1978 film by director John Carpenter, the trailer reinforces a familiar truth: this franchise continues to struggle to move beyond its core protagonists. Watch the trailer below:
Related: Could Michael Myers Be Living a Secret Life Between ‘Halloween' Movies? : Disney Fanatic
The Game Sounds Fun, but There's a Catch
On a more positive note, the trailer for “Halloween” is a tense mood piece. Haddonfield is shown at night, where Halloween decorations on porches glow faintly in the darkness, before giving way to the reintroduction of the iconic “bogeyman” Michael Myers.
His appearance — bulkier and reminiscent of 1995’s Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers — anchors the fear that has carried through decades of sequels and reboots.
We also see a young woman attempting to escape Michael, echoing Laurie Strode’s desperate fights for survival in the original film and its many follow-ups (it may very well be the legendary final girl played by Jamie Lee Curtis, but it remains unconfirmed).
Halloween Can't Let Go of Legacy Characters
Halloween may have experimented plenty with tone over the years, from Rob Zombie’s gritty reinvention to David Gordon Green’s recent trilogy, but it always seems to circle back to familiar territory. Loomis. Laurie Strode. The darkened streets of Haddonfield.
While the game is set to introduce both a single-player mode and asymmetrical multiplayer options, IllFonic (the studio behind “Friday the 13th: The Game”) at least understands what fans want from a Halloween title — even if it means revisiting ground that has been tread countless times before.
“Halloween” Will be Familiar and Frustrating
For some, hearing Loomis’ warnings over footage of Haddonfield feels like coming home to a classic horror story. For others, it’s a reminder that Halloween seems reluctant to fully commit to new blood.
Do you think the new Halloween game looks fun? Let us know your thoughts in the comments down below!
