Killer Klowns From Outer Space Review (PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and Series S, GeForce Now, Microsoft Windows)

It still puzzles me how a character who brings children so much joy can inspire intense fear. Yes, I am talking about clowns. In the film industry, Pennywise epitomizes terror, closely followed by The Joker, whose villainous antics always rock Gotham.

Perhaps this inspiration can be traced to the 1980s cult classic film Killer Klowns from Outer Space. This theatrical masterpiece joins the ranks of other absurd yet incredible films that laid the foundation for horror-comedy. Unfortunately, the film has been stuck in development hell, with no sequel released since then. But good news for fans: you can relive the chilling moments in Crescent Cove virtually. Illfonic recently launched an asymmetrical horror video game that wears the classic film’s inspiration on its sleeve. It’s all included, from the legendary cast to the creepy, white-faced monsters.

Are you ready for a spine-chilling adventure? Stick with us as we peel back the layers in our Killer Klowns from Outer Space review.

Klowning Around

In a wild, asymmetrical fashion, Killer Klown From Outer Space lunges you into Crescent Cove, where killer clowns are running wild. You and your teammates stand between restoring the town to normalcy or having the diabolical characters wreak havoc. However, you get the option to switch sides. You can be the ray gun-holding clown turning people into cotton candy. 

The game unfolds through matches where teams of Clowns and humans face off against each other. Each match consists of three voracious killer clowns and seven ill-fated humans. It’s ideally a game of cat and mouse, where, as a human, you must avoid being spotted by Klowns. 

But that’s not all. You and your teammates must work through objectives that give you an edge against the Klowns. 

From face value, the game features elements that are familiar to Dead By Daylight. For those unfamiliar with the game, it’s an asymmetrical horror that pits four victims against one killer. There is clearly no reinventing the wheel here, to say the least. But the game does an excellent job reviving the franchise, reminding us of the horror movies that defined the eighties. 

Big Shoes to Fill

Frankly, playing as a human is not as fun as being a clown. Besides lurking in the shadows and hoping you stay hidden, you’ll also be scouting for items such as key cards, weapons, canisters, and other things to get you out of the kill zone. You get multiple options for your escape, but it comes with a twist. Only a maximum of two or three people can use the exits. 

For example, the damaged boat can hold only about three people. The bridge exit could easily collapse after two members cross it. In some way, the game mounts pressure on you not to be the last man standing because your chances of survival are not great.

To make your grand escape, you must work through the map to find items corresponding to the various exit routes. For instance, the damaged boat needs repair. You need to find and install a missing spark plug. Remember to also fill it with gas, or you’ll be a sitting duck. 

Cotton Candy Corpses

It might seem like the game is influenced by cult films, but it manages to carve its own niche. Killer Clown has some pretty decent humor that adds to the gameplay experience. The level of teamwork pushes the boundaries for this asymmetrical horror. Playing as a clown, you get a decent choice of weapons, from a popcorn bazooka to weapons that cause intense damage. Humans don’t get weapons at the start. But running around the game map could give you access to them. This means humans are pretty vulnerable at the beginning, and as a clown, this makes things easier for you. But the game levels things up by allocating more slots to the human team. 

Clowns can kill humans in three ways: triggering the Klownpocalypse, beating them black and blue, or performing a finishing move. The Klownpocalyspes is an Armageddon move, claiming the remaining survivors’ lives once the time runs out. It can also happen when you turn enough humans into candy cotton cocoons. The cocoon can also power up generators on the map.  These generators are crucial to spawning more lackeys to patrol the game map. Think of it as getting reinforcement. 

While the odds may seem stacked against the clowns initially, teaming up and strategizing can be the key to success. Plus, the cooldown timers give you a competitive edge. You can quickly jump to various sections or summon hound-sniffing balloons to join the hunt. But the greatest thing about clowns that makes them unbeatable is that they can respawn after being killed. As a human, you can be resurrected, but this happens only once. After that, you are a goner.  

It’s a Circus Out There

As a human, your chances of survival hinge on how quiet you are. Running fast. Breaking a gate or firing a weapon can give the clown wind of your direction. Before you know it, you’re covered in candy goo and can’t move. The clowns, however, do a terrible job of being quiet. Their humongous shoes leave cartoonish prints all over the floor, plus make squeaky sounds as they move around. 

You must find escape routes and all the items needed before time runs out. But in some way, the game makes it harder for humans to survive. If a clown gets to an exit before you, the maniacal character can coat it in cotton candy, thwarting your escape plans. Thankfully, if you happen to die or make your exit early, the game gives you reasons to stay. You can play minigames, which gift items to pass on to the remaining survivors. It’s like offering a helping hand even though you are incapacitated. 

The Good

Compared to other symmetrical multiplayer games, Killer Klowns makes playing as the killer exceptionally thrilling. Instead of the typical lone killer struggling to catch survivors, you team up with other killers, utilizing creative and engaging methods to hunt down your victims. The game’s feature of randomly matching you with a team keeps the gameplay fresh and unpredictable, ensuring that you never know what quests or dangers await you.

Visually, Killer Klowns is stunning. The clown characters strike the perfect balance of horror, guaranteed to make you jump when they get close. The soundtracks enhance the experience, creating an eerie and haunting atmosphere that fully immerses you in the game. The spine-chilling visuals and unsettling audio design make Killer Klowns stand out in the horror multiplayer genre.

The minigames are also a super cool addition. You don’t ideally leave the game. The screen splits into two, and you watch over your teammate’s progress and play minigames from the bottom screen. You can start a minigame when a teammate is in distress and earn rewards that improve their chances of survival. Plus, it’s a great and deserving break from the chaotic runs. 

Moreover, the game achieves a neat balance between the two opposing sides. Both humans and clowns get access to various weapons. Humans have a decent chance of killing the clowns. All you need is to turn back and beat the crap out of the whimsical characters. 

The Bad

Killer Klowns from Outer Space features about five maps. As a human player, you receive hints to help navigate the map, but it’s a dark and challenging world for clowns. Besides the occasional jump scare, navigation can be frustrating, especially for new players who might find themselves running aimlessly from one end of the map to the other. However, once you learn the ropes, the gameplay becomes quite enjoyable.

Speaking of gameplay, it can start to feel repetitive after an hour or two of playing. There is little content to keep you engaged beyond the initial thrill. While the concept and atmosphere are captivating, the lack of variety in missions and challenges might leave players wanting more.

The game does provide some unlockable items. But you can access them after a couple of hours. After that, the gameplay seems predictable. Plus, there are some buggy issues, especially when joining a match. 

Verdict

Killer Klowns from Outer Space is a decent symmetrical multiplayer horror game that captures the thrill of others in the genre. The game’s charm lies in its goofiness, staying true to the spirit of the classic 1988 film. Perhaps its greatest assets are the Easter eggs that cult film fans will undoubtedly enjoy.

Although the game becomes repetitive after a decent number of hours, it still provides varied fun for players of any experience. So, is it worth the $40 price tag? Given the amount of content, I’d say this is a tall order. But the best part is that the developers haven’t stuffed the game with microtransactions. 

The bottom line is that Killer Klowns pays tremendous tribute to the film, offering a nostalgic ride on a modern vehicle. The game’s quirky humor and faithful recreation of the film’s iconic elements make it a unique and entertaining experience for new players and long-time fans.