For almost a decade, games have tried to knock Dead by Daylight off its throne as the king of the asymmetric multiplayer landscape, especially when it comes to survival horror. While Friday the 13th and Evil Dead did their best, nothing really has come close so far.
So, will the latest attempt to revive a classic horror movie into the genre with Killer Klowns from Outer Space going to end up suffering from the same fate? Even though it is a bit too early to answer that question definitively, the answer might end up being a bit more nuanced than yes or no.
As soon as I got my hands on the game at PAX East 2024, I could tell that while it had the same general premise and bones as games like Dead by Daylight. Killer Klowns from Outer Space: The Game had one key difference: teamwork isn’t just for the good guys. Instead of it just being one monster vs a handful of survivors, the game pits up to seven humans against three powerful Klowns.
I spent my time playing as a Klown, as I really wanted to feel what it would be like to be on the hunt with two other kohorts. At first, it was pretty surprising just how difficult it was to down and capture the humans. On top of the fact that they are fast and contain abilities of their own, the hunted can also fight back, giving them a bit of agency alongside just playing hide and seek.
While limited, humans can gather and craft weapons to down or even momentarily kill klowns, though kill shots have to be done with a weapon that can hit the monsters in the nose, just like in the movies. Weapons range from more common melee items that will help stun opponents to rare and valuable ones like a pistol that will actually kill them. If you can kill a Klown, then that provides the group with ample time to complete objectives that would help them escape. The best way to accomplish this is by using the numbers game.
I found myself getting ganged up on by four or so humans at a time and getting downed, and even killed, very easily and often at the start of the match. This was the case for my teammates as well, as it looked like the humans would end up escaping if we didn’t get things together. Once the three of us started sticking together and using our abilities, the tables definitely turned in the villain’s favor.
Using skills like teleportation, a tracking balloon animal, or a heavy melee mallet in tandem with one another opened up the gameplay considerably as a Klown, as we started to down and capture humans quickly once we got the hang of things. This is where the usual fun of asymmetrical horror comes in as the villain. I’d capture one person, leave them on the hook, and make it seem like I was walking away, only to teleport back once I found their friend trying to free them.
It’s also important to note that Killer Klowns from Outer Space: The Game is a smorgasbord of nostalgia for fans of the original. It features Crescent City locations fans will know and love, including the creepy carnival, and is set to have a roster full of everyone’s beloved, creepy goons. While a full list hasn’t been revealed yet, the developers at IllFonic did state they hope to continue to iterate the game continuously going forward, adding in Klowns and abilities known to the series as time goes on to keep things fresh.
I just hope they keep adding in even more ridiculous executions (called Clowntalities), as I couldn’t get enough of killing humans with pies to the face or tearing them to sheds with Shorty’s dizzying tornado attack. Regardless, Killer Klowns from Outer Space: The Game is set to be a unique asymmetric multiplayer horror experience. One that gives agency to both humans and Klowns alike, putting a heavy emphasis on creativity and teamwork.
Killer Klowns from Outer Space: The Game is set to release on June 4, 2024, developed by Illfonic, and will be available on Steam, PS5, and Xbox Series consoles. You can follow Illfonic on their social media channels, such as Twitter/X (@IllFonic), Instagram (@illfonic), and Facebook (@IllFonic), to stay updated on the game’s release and development progress. Or you can also give a follow to the Twitter/X Killer Klowns from Outer Space: The Game account (@klownsthegame).
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