Christmas Massacre

About Christmas Massacre

Christmas Massacre is a horror game by Puppet Combo, the studio behind Murder House, Nun Massacre and Stay Out of the House. It came out on Steam in December 2021 and later on PlayStation 4 and 5 and Xbox.

Usually in Puppet Combo's games you are the one being hunted. Here you are the killer. Larry's Christmas tree has been telling him to kill, and in a Santa mask and red suit he goes out to do it. The game asks whose side the tree is really on, and whether Larry can trust what he hears.

Each level is a place full of people: a house at night, a supermarket, a school and more. You sneak through the shadows, keep your noise down and pick people off one at a time. A meter shows how hidden and how loud you are. If someone spots you and escapes, or a body is found, you are caught and the level fails. You can play in first or third person, wear several masks and costumes, and use a fast-forward button. The kills are bloody, with decapitations and dismemberment.

The look is the crusty low-poly style of Puppet Combo's other games, with a smeared, tape-like picture and a soundtrack players praise. Some players find it tense and disturbing to play the killer; others note jank and bugs and say it is lighter than Stay Out of the House. It suits players who want to see a slasher film from the killer's side and do not mind gore and dark humour.

How to play Christmas Massacre

1. Pick a level and choose first or third person view.
2. Watch your status meter: keep to the shadows and make as little noise as you can.
3. Stalk a victim until they are alone and out of sight of others, then strike.
4. Stop anyone who sees you before they escape, and keep bodies where they will not be found.
5. Kill everyone the level asks for without being caught to move on; the game offers several masks and costumes for Larry.

Tips

• Your status meter shows how hidden and how loud you are; keep both low when people are near.
• Watch groups first and wait for someone to wander off alone.
• A witness who runs is hard to catch, so make sure no one can see you before you attack.
• Play it close to Christmas for the full effect.

Questions