When the hunters get a teammate too, survival becomes a whole new nightmare. Night of the Slayers takes the asymmetrical horror formula and sharpens it with a twist — five survivors don’t just face one killer, but two, working together in deadly sync. Set in a semi-open world and played entirely in first-person, this upcoming title from Vice Mask aims to shake up the multiplayer horror space with immersive tension, strategic coordination, and fear that stalks in pairs.
A new kind of horror game from the shadows of Vice Mask
Vice Mask isn’t just building another clone of what’s already out there. As both developer and publisher, the studio is crafting Night of the Slayers as its own beast. It’s set in a dark world where five players must work together to survive while two coordinated hunters track them down. This 5v2 setup shifts the balance away from lone-wolf terror toward something more unpredictable — two predators who can plot, flank, and finish off prey with ruthless efficiency.
The setting plays a big part in this shift too. Instead of tight corridors and limited paths, players explore a semi-open world. That means more freedom to move, more places to hide — or get lost — and more ways for matches to unfold differently each time. Pair that with a first-person view for everyone involved, and every shadow becomes suspicious, every sound matters.
How five survivors survive when two hunters are hunting
The 5v2 structure changes everything about how players behave. Survivors have to stick together and plan smartly if they want any chance of making it out alive. It’s not just about hiding anymore — it’s about working as a unit. Whether they’re repairing systems or unlocking escape routes, teamwork is survival.
But while the survivors fight to escape, the hunters fight to dominate — and now they get help too. This isn’t like Dead by Daylight where one killer keeps up constant pressure solo. In Night of the Slayers, both hunters can plan ambushes together or divide tasks: one flushes out prey while the other cuts off escape.
This shared power adds fresh layers of strategy for both sides. If survivors split up too much? They’re easy pickings. But clump together too tightly? They risk being cornered by two killers who know exactly how to herd their victims.
A map that breathes fear into every footstep
The semi-open world design adds chaos to each match. Players aren’t boxed into preset paths or locked rooms — they roam forests, broken buildings, twisted alleys. This open design gives them choices but also opens them up to traps.
One survivor might choose to sneak through abandoned houses while another tries scaling rooftops for a better view. But those same paths offer cover for hunters who learn the map’s weak points over time. That freedom makes every decision heavier: go left into an open field or right into dense woods where visibility drops?
One tester recalled ducking into an old barn only to find both hunters waiting inside — not because they were lucky, but because they’d predicted exactly where someone would hide next based on movement patterns earlier in the match.
A first-person view that puts fear right in front of your eyes
Everything unfolds through a first-person lens — no third-person peeking around corners or watching from above like an invisible camera crew. Survivors see what their character sees: narrow sightlines, flickering lights ahead, rustling trees behind.
This viewpoint amps up immersion tenfold. When footsteps echo behind you or breathing tightens as you squeeze through tight spaces, it feels personal. The horror isn’t happening around your character; it’s happening to you.
For hunters too, this adds intensity: tracking survivors becomes a game of real observation rather than map control alone. Spotting movement in your peripheral vision or hearing distant footsteps leads to thrilling moments of cat-and-mouse — except now there are two cats working together.
A studio that listens as much as it builds
Vice Mask isn’t lurking in silence during development either. They’ve kept communication open across Discord and Twitter since early reveals, sharing progress updates and asking players for feedback on mechanics and balance ideas.
This community-driven development shows promise not just for launch day but long after. A game like Night of the Slayers lives or dies on its updates — new maps, rebalanced tools, seasonal tweaks — and having developers who listen closely could make all the difference when things need fine-tuning post-release.
The fact that Vice Mask has already adjusted internal schedules after talking with testers shows they’re paying attention — not just pushing toward deadlines blindly but making sure each system feels right before rollout.
When does Night of the Slayers come out?
The full release is set for November 17, 2025 on PC via Steam — no consoles yet but potential ports are on the table if things go well after launch. For those eager to jump in sooner (or survive longer), there’s a beta planned for Q2 2025.
This beta window gives early fans a chance to test features ahead of time while helping shape what changes before release day hits hard later that year. But like many indie-led titles built with care instead of crunch-time chaos, timelines may shift slightly depending on feedback and polish needs during those months leading up.
A fresh twist on horror multiplayer done right
Night of the Slayers doesn’t rewrite asymmetrical horror from scratch — it refines it with smart choices: dual killers instead of one lonely threat; large areas that reward exploration instead of choke points; true cooperation between all players rather than silent solo escapes or isolated stalking.
For fans tired of rinse-repeat horror loops where everyone knows what’s coming next based on meta-strats alone? This one offers something different: unpredictability born from freedom…and dread born from teamwork turned deadly.
The moment someone whispered “it’s kind of like Dead by Daylight…but this time the killer gets a friend,” everything clicked into place: terror multiplies when threats double up — especially when those threats know how to move as one hunting pack instead of lone wolves.
With its haunting setting and unique mechanics stitched tightly together by community feedback and careful design choices, Night of the Slayers looks ready to carve its own path through crowded haunted woods filled with familiar faces. The question is: will players be clever enough to survive two killers at once?
F.A.Q.
What is the unique twist of “Night of the Slayers” compared to other horror games?
“Night of the Slayers” introduces a unique 5v2 format where five survivors face two coordinated hunters. This dual-hunter approach adds a new layer of strategy and teamwork, differentiating it from other asymmetrical horror games like “Dead by Daylight.”
How does the semi-open world design affect gameplay?
The semi-open world design provides players with the freedom to explore, hide, and strategize differently each match. This open environment means more varied gameplay experiences and potential traps, making each decision impactful.
What perspective is “Night of the Slayers” played from, and why?
The game is played from a first-person perspective, enhancing immersion and creating a more intense experience by limiting players to what their character directly sees, thus increasing the sense of vulnerability and immediacy.
When is the expected release date for “Night of the Slayers”?
The full release of “Night of the Slayers” is planned for November 17, 2025, on PC via Steam. A beta version is expected to be available in Q2 2025, offering players an early glimpse and opportunity to provide feedback.
Will “Night of the Slayers” be available on consoles?
Currently, the game is set to launch exclusively on PC. Console versions may be considered in the future depending on the game’s success post-launch.
How does Vice Mask involve the community in the game’s development?
Vice Mask actively engages with the community through platforms like Discord and Twitter, soliciting feedback on game mechanics and balance. This community-driven approach aims to refine the game based on player input.
What makes the 5v2 format more challenging for players?
The 5v2 format requires survivors to cooperate closely to survive, while hunters can collaborate to track and eliminate them. This dual threat introduces complex dynamics, making strategic planning and teamwork essential for both sides.
