There’s a Butcher Around (v2020.02.25)

A blood-soaked game of hide-and-seek drives There’s a Butcher Around, turning a simple childhood idea into a tense pixel-art survival contest. Bill, an escaped asylum butcher, stalks each arena looking for fresh victims, while everyone else scrambles to disappear before he investigates the wrong corner. Its horror is deliberately pulpy rather than realistic, mixing grim imagery, splashes of gore, and a darkly playful tone. Every round builds around that nervous wait: you may have picked a brilliant hiding spot, or you may be one unlucky search away from being found.

The objective is straightforward but effective—stay concealed longer than the other potential victims and become the final survivor. Players choose from 17 playable characters and search each map for places that offer the best chance of escaping Bill’s attention, all while knowing other players are competing for the same safety. Each round forces a gamble between obvious hiding places, risky positions, and the unpredictable route chosen by the butcher. Seven maps keep the format from becoming too repetitive, while controller compatibility makes it easy to play from the couch as well as at a desk. Achievements add a little extra incentive for players who want to master every scenario and character.

What makes it work is its stripped-back focus on suspense rather than elaborate systems: the drama comes from anticipation, uncertainty, and watching a routine search become a disaster. The chunky pixel presentation suits the retro slasher premise, giving the violence an arcade-like edge without losing the oppressive atmosphere. It is closer to a quick party-horror diversion than a deep asymmetric multiplayer game such as Dead by Daylight, emphasizing short rounds and immediate tension over long-term customization. Fans of retro visuals, silly-but-creepy horror, and competitive hiding games should find plenty to enjoy, while players seeking complex progression or tactical combat may want something more substantial.