Play as Slasher or Survivor in 1978: The Night They Came Home

Have you ever wanted to play a game where you could be either the Slasher or the Survivor from a horror movie? Well, that’s what 1978: The Night They Came Home allows you to do.

“Please say it’ll be available on Amazon,” was among the first things I thought when I read the press release about the survivor horror tabletop game. I thought it would make a great addition to the “Not Board to Death” section of the Skareporium.

I’m not sure if it will ever drop on Amazon. It’s currently being offered via a limited-time pre-order on Kickstarter, which started June 6 and runs until June 19.

The great news is that they’ve already surpassed their fundraising goal of $6,666. As of the writing of this post, they’ve raised over $8,300. Which isn’t all that surprising. It’s a unique-looking game that also feels familiar, especially for horror movie fans.

Probably because it’s inspired by, as well as emulates, classic slasher films of the ’70s and ’80s. But it cuts to the chase, pitting a slasher against a survivor on Halloween night.

Playing 1978: The Night They Came Home

Just like any good horror movie plot, the game takes place during both the day and night on a forsaken Halloween in 1978. During the day, both Survivor and Slasher build their backstories for the showdown by customizing cards and building narratives. They also accumulate resources that they’ll use at night.

Then, when the play shifts to night, Slasher and Survivor enter the house for a deadly game of cat and mouse. They use the cards they gained during the day and engage in a violent battle for survival.

The game is played on a screen-printed cloth playmat that features the house. Custom knife tokens track resources, and the custom playing cards provide narrative prompts. The game also includes dual rulebooks for both Survivor and Slasher.

The 1-on-1 game was created by World Champ Game Co.’s Adam Vass (Cybermetal 2012) and Megacorp Games’ Logan Dean (The Company: Corporate Survival Horror). Illustrations by Justin “Black Coffiend” Valliere.

1978: The Night They Came Home Trailer

For More Info

In their Kickstarter info, they say they’ll send the game for publishing in August. They expect the game to ship in October. To order, visit http://kck.st/45LPr9V.

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Which role would you choose: Slasher or Survivor?

Courtney Mroch

Courtney Mroch is a globe-trotting restless spirit who’s both possessed by wanderlust and the spirit of adventure, and obsessed with true crime, horror, the paranormal, and weird days. Perhaps it has something to do with her genes? She is related to occult royalty, after all. Marie Laveau, the famous Voodoo practitioner of New Orleans, is one of her ancestors. (Yes, really! As explained here.) That could also explain her infatuation with skeletons.

Speaking of mystical, to learn how Courtney channeled her battle with cancer to conjure up this site, check out HJ’s Origin Story.