Friday the 13th: The Game on Steam — Survival, Strategy, and Slasher Horror Done Right
There’s something uniquely chilling about the combination of a full moon, a remote summer camp, and the date Friday the 13th. For horror fans, it’s not just a superstition — it’s an invitation to step into a world where survival hinges on wits, teamwork, and sheer luck. Enter Friday the 13th: The Game — a multiplayer asymmetrical horror title that brings the iconic slasher franchise to life on Steam. Whether you’re dodging Jason Voorhees in the woods or stalking camp counselors as the masked killer himself, this game delivers an adrenaline-fueled experience unlike any other.
Originally released in 2017 by IllFonic, Friday the 13th: The Game quickly became a cult favorite among horror enthusiasts and slasher genre aficionados. Built on Unreal Engine 4, the game pits seven players against each other: one assumes the role of Jason Voorhees, while the other six play as camp counselors trying to survive the night. Set across multiple maps — including the iconic Camp Crystal Lake — the game blends stealth, strategy, and psychological tension in a way that few titles dare to attempt.
Why Friday the 13th: The Game Stands Out on Steam
Unlike traditional horror games that rely on jump scares or scripted sequences, Friday the 13th: The Game thrives on unpredictability. Every match unfolds differently based on player decisions, Jason’s chosen abilities, and environmental factors. This emergent gameplay loop is what keeps players coming back — and what makes the Friday the 13th game Steam version a standout in the horror genre.
The game’s asymmetrical structure is its greatest strength. As a counselor, your goal is simple: escape, hide, or fight back. You can repair phones to call the police, barricade doors, search for weapons, or band together with teammates to launch a coordinated assault. But as Jason, your tools are far more brutal — from teleportation and traps to raw strength and fear-inducing audio cues that disorient your prey.
One of the most compelling features is the Sense mechanic. Jason can press a button to “feel” the presence of nearby counselors — represented by pulsing red outlines through walls. This creates a cat-and-mouse dynamic where sound management becomes crucial. Running creates noise. Breaking windows alerts Jason. Even healing a teammate can give away your position. The tension is palpable — and perfectly suited for streaming or late-night co-op sessions.
Mastering the Roles: Counselor vs. Jason
Success in Friday the 13th: The Game hinges on understanding your role — and exploiting the weaknesses of your opponents.
As a Counselor: Speed, stealth, and situational awareness are your greatest assets. Not all counselors are created equal — each has unique stats in composure, stealth, repair, strength, and luck. For example, Vanessa is the fastest runner, perfect for distracting Jason or sprinting to a vehicle. Meanwhile, AJ Mason excels in combat, making him ideal for players who prefer to stand their ground.
Team coordination is essential. A solo run rarely ends well. Calling for help, sharing items, and setting up ambushes can turn the tide — especially when Jason is distracted by another player. One clever tactic: have one player act as bait near a cabin while others repair the car or boat for escape. Timing and misdirection are everything.
As Jason: Patience and pressure are key. New players often rush in swinging — a surefire way to let counselors slip away. Instead, seasoned Jasons use environmental traps, lock doors to bottleneck escape routes, and cut phone lines to delay police arrival. Choosing the right Jason variant (there are seven, each with unique perks) can dramatically alter your playstyle. Jason Voorhees Part 3, for instance, excels at chasing, while Part 6 Jason is a master of traps and area control.
Case Study: The “Tommy Jarvis Gambit”
One of the game’s most thrilling mechanics is the arrival of Tommy Jarvis — a legendary character from the films who can be summoned by finding hidden items. When Tommy spawns, he’s equipped with superior stats and can actually kill Jason if the stars align. This creates a dramatic shift in momentum.
In a memorable community match documented on Reddit, a group of counselors — down to their last player — managed to summon Tommy just as Jason had cornered them near the lake house. What followed was a tense 3-minute duel: Tommy dodged Jason’s swings, baited him into traps, and finally landed a killing blow with a shotgun. The clip went viral, amassing over 500K views, and perfectly encapsulates the game’s potential for cinematic, player-driven moments.
This kind of emergent storytelling is rare in multiplayer games — and it’s exactly why Friday the 13th: The Game continues to thrive on Steam, even years after its initial release.
Optimization and Community Support
Despite a rocky launch marred by server issues and bugs, IllFonic and the community have worked tirelessly to polish the experience. Regular patches, community events, and mod support (via the Steam Workshop) have kept the game alive. Players can now enjoy custom maps, new Jason skins, and even horror-themed music packs — all contributing to the game’s longevity.
The developers also introduced single-player modes and offline bots, making it accessible for newcomers or those who prefer to practice before diving into ranked matches. These additions transformed the game from a purely multiplayer experiment into a more complete horror package.
Performance-wise, the Friday the 13th game Steam version runs smoothly on mid-tier PCs,