Killer Klowns From Outer Space: The Game is not the first horror franchise that a game studio has adapted into a video game. Friday 13th, Texas Chainsaw Massacreand, by union, Dead by Daylight they have all made the leap into the world of gaming. Killer Klowns it lacks in recognition, but it makes up for it by fully embracing everything that fans love about the cult classic.
On the surface, this plays with the same asymmetrical multiplayer experience as every other entry in the genre. A group of people aims to survive the attack by the famous clowns. The more you play, though, the more Killer Klowns stands out, thanks to new ideas that help keep players engaged throughout an entire match.
Killer Klowns is the first asymmetrical multiplayer game that feels like it does everything right
For example, there is nothing more frustrating than being dead for most of a game session. Watching friends have fun while you’re on the sidelines is the opposite of a good time. Killer Klowns gives blocked players to complete mini-games that can help give allies valuable resources they need to survive. The human team needs all the help they can get as this is not a fair fight.
This is the same for the path in the genre: there will always be more people trying to overcome the bad guys. However, despite the odds stacked against them, the villains are able to take people out given their powerful abilities. Even if only a few human players are eliminated, this is still a “bad” time for participating members. It doesn’t matter if your team won if you didn’t participate in most of the game.
Mini-games available at Killer Klowns The show ranges from whack-a-mole, Simon and other puzzle games. Prized items have varying degrees of utility. On the surface, shotgun shells have more benefits than a tennis ball or a burger, but the human group needs to survive at all costs. Sometimes, the most innocent objects turned the tide.
Killer Klowns is a love letter to movies
More often than not, video game adaptations try to live up to their source material only to fail. Killer Klowns not only does it perfectly bring the cult classic film to life, but it also includes several notable nods that fans will love. “Klownalates”, which can occur when Clowns kill a human, are kills taken straight from the movies.
Instead, humans can cause damage when they find the right weapons. Despite their power, Clowns are not invincible. They can be killed by aiming their nose, which is, you guessed it, just like the movies.
The balance of people doing their best to survive and being able to hold their own helps the Clowns not feel too overpowered. They definitely have an advantage while playing at PAX East, but that could be because the environment isn’t conducive to playing a team game.
As it is, Killer Klowns from space The game it’s an absolute blast full of potential. Leaning into everything that makes the cult classic B-movie great, it delivers everything fans could hope for. The simple idea of allowing banned players to contribute to their teammates only increases the potential of a multiplayer hit.
