Regardless of my cowardly tendencies, I occasionally enjoy jumping out of my comfort zone to get my heart pumping. It may keep me up at night, but for the most part, it always brings on a sense of thrill that other genres haven’t quite hit. My nightmares as of late have now involved clowns, thanks to my horrific preview of Killer Klowns From Outer Space: The Game. And, I mean that in an entirely good way.
I sat down with the team behind the game, IllFonic and Teravision Games, and played a few rounds through its online multiplayer. It didn’t take too long for me to be immediately immersed in its vibrant, terror-filled world. Although I hadn’t seen the ’80s cult classic that inspired the game, I could sense its deep respect and homage to its origins. Elements like Crescent Cove, Balloon Dog, and Cocoons serve as powerful reminders of the game’s roots. But fear not, whether you’re a die-hard fan or a newcomer like me, the game is designed to cater to both parties.
A killer of a time
You’ll take on the role of a Killer Klown or Human. The goal is simple: Kill everyone in your way as a Killer Klown, or discover a way out as a Human. It plays somewhat similarly to asymmetrical horror games such as Dead by Daylight and The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, with a 3v7 face-off between Klowns and Humans. As someone who’s played DbD, I could see a lot of similarities between the two, but Killer Klowns feels much more whimsical with its incredibly dark humor and carnival settings.
I got to take on the role of a Killer Klown the first time around. Never thought I would breathe a sigh of relief to be a murderous clown, but I was glad that I didn’t have to stress of the Human side. It’s also intriguing to experience it with two other players (who are also killers), which feels tremendously different from other horror games I’ve partaken in. The most I’ve seen was two killers at a time, so having three feels more like a party.
One standout feature was the method of locating targets. Instead of relying on a special ability, you must look for sound pings to detect nearby players. This adds a realistic touch, forcing me to rely on my virtual killer instincts. Fortunately, I didn’t always have to rely on that since my teammates would often shout out Human locations via Discord chat. I’m curious to see if voice chat will be available with the official launch because that would definitely set it apart from Dead by Daylight, which doesn’t have this feature.
Even if the Humans are more objective-oriented, Killer Klowns do have a sub-task of collecting Cocoons. They can be used on generators to get an early start to the Klownpocalypse, or to unlock more lackeys. However, since this is the only other objective you can do, aside from killing, it may get tedious over time. There’s only so much you can do as a killer, but maybe a new update could provide more content for the Klowns.
Despite it potentially being tedious, the one thing that never gets old is the cinematic takedowns. These are just as brutal as any classic horror kill. They not only add to the game’s visual appeal but also provide a satisfying sense of accomplishment as a player. Depending on the tool on hand, the eliminations differ, providing a variety of blood-curdling scenes. In true clown fashion, the weapons and items are just as wacky as the killers.
There’s an abundance of objects to utilize, from a Mallet to a Popcorn Launcher to a Cotton Candy Raygun. Diversity in tools makes the game far richer, providing new ways to take down human trash. To give you an example, the Pizza Box allows you to disguise yourself as a, you guessed it, pizza box. Now, I don’t think I’ll ever look at pizza boxes the same.
It’s unlike any weapons I’ve used in classic horror games, which have typically used traditional tools such as knives and chainsaws. Having these zany guns makes things much more exciting and new, adding a touch of humor to the game. I’ve had my fill with hacking and slashing in other games, so having a weapon like a Popcorn Launcher gives it some extra flair.
Killer Klowns also have the unique ability to jump almost anywhere on the map. I’ve never seen a fast-travel feature in a horror title, which is another thing that sets it apart from others in the genre.
Humans can be just as deadly as the Killer Klowns
When it was finally time to face my fears of clowns, I took on the Human role. Given that the Killer Klowns can use sound pings to find you, you’ll need to keep track of that with the Noise Generation bar.
Jumping into a survival horror game can often be overwhelming. However, Killer Klowns From Outer Space: The Game eases the stress with the Meeting Point. Beginning a match this way, where players can meet with others and unlock escape points, feels much more collaborative and accessible.
You can find a few tools here, amongst other areas, to fend against the Killer Klowns. I went with the most horror-stricken weapon: the frying pan. Who knew that kitchenware could be so deadly? I probably could have played the sneaky part better, but it’s fun to give the Killer Klowns a taste of their own medicine. It felt like Killer Klowns catered to any type of player, whether you are as quiet as a mouse or the loudest noise-maker ever.
Taking down the Killer Klowns is incredibly satisfying as a Human, especially when you have the whole team joining in. Nevertheless, the fear of being hunted never truly goes away, considering that there are two more killers who can rain down on the group’s parade.
Items can also be used as key ingredients for your great escape. The escape tactics are, by far, the best part about being a Human. It’s much more than just starting up generators; it can involve various points of interest. For instance, if you use the boat to escape in one playthrough, you can switch things up by taking the bridge the next time.
Each escape route generally shares the same objective of finding specific objects around the map. I only got the chance to do the boat route, requiring a gas can and spark plug. The other escape paths have their own unique items to grab, including keys for a locked mechanical door or a keycard for the bridge. Given that the tasks share a similar object-finding mission, I could see it becoming tedious the more you play.
On the other hand, it’s still exhilarating to search and locate these items with the threat of the Killer Klowns. Even if Killer Klowns from Outer Space: The Game plays into its humoristic tone, it’s still very much a horror game. I found it utterly terrifying to look for one tiny object as the group of murderers kept taking my team down one-by-one. The opposing side can also mess up plans by clogging exits with their sticky cotton-candy substance.
When things start coming together, it does feel truly rewarding to find the necessary items for the escape. Yet, it can sometimes be a double-edged sword. During my time playing, I had just enough objects to leave with the boat, but unfortunately, my teammate couldn’t reach it, on account of them being wrangled by a clown. It was there that I had to make the devastating decision to escape without them, leaving the team with a bittersweet victory.
Most of the escape routes have a time limit, including a countdown that shuts a door down for good. This forced me to question whether I’m a team player or someone who needs to fend for themselves. Given that you can leave teammates high and dry with escape routes, it makes it feel like there’s a touch of PvP in its online co-op. Will you play it like everyone men for themselves? Or, will you get everyone to safety?
While I enjoyed my time being alive as a Human, I found it entertaining to be on the dying side. Dead Humans can take the spectator route and play a few minigames to give the living buffs. I’m a sucker for simple minigames, and Killer Klowns From Outer Space: The Game knows exactly how to keep you entertained. It even has traditional carnival games, like whacking Klown heads, to add more to the game’s theme.
Some horror games can sometimes be a bit tedious, but I believe Killer Klowns has enough variety to keep you on the edge of your seat. The developers have indicated that there will be much more to explore with loadouts and ranks. A level-up system will likely keep things more interesting, so I’ll have to see what this will have in store. I also hope that more skins and weapons are planned for Killer Klowns From Outer Space The Game’s roadmap. A Halloween event would be perfect, too, or maybe even crossover with other famous horror clowns. (Pennywise, anyone?)
Playing the preview has inspired me to watch the film. Fans of this cult classic will undoubtedly enjoy finding all the Easter Eggs, and trust me, there’s plenty to go around. Even those who haven’t watched the movie will still have some fun with its hide-and-seek or hack-and-slash playthroughs. It may just be your next weekend multiplayer horror go-to.
You can look forward to Killer Klowns From Outer Space The Game when it arrives on June 4, 2024 on Steam, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S.
