In 1988, the Chiodo brothers introduced the world to a peculiar brand of terror with their film, Killer Klowns from Outer Space. This cult classic involved alien clowns turning a small town into their playground of horror, using cotton candy cocoons and popcorn bazookas to capture and kill. The bizarre charm of the movie has now been transformed into a video game format by Teravision Games and IllFonic, the latter known for their work on asymmetrical multiplayer horror games like “Friday the 13th: The Game” and “Predator: Hunting Grounds.” Here, we delve into whether Killer Klowns from Outer Space: The Game captures the original’s quirky terror or falls flat on its painted face.
Gameplay Mechanics
Killer Klowns from Outer Space: The Game pits three alien clowns against seven humans in a classic asymmetrical multiplayer setup. Drawing parallels to “Dead by Daylight,” the game tasks the Klowns with hunting down humans while the latter must strategize, collaborate, and escape the grotesque invaders. This premise sets the stage for intense chases and nerve-wracking hide-and-seek sessions across various maps inspired by the movie.
Players embodying humans can scour the environment for items like knives, which are crucial for escaping traps like the infamous cotton candy cocoons. The gameplay for humans revolves around stealth and cooperation, creating a thrilling survival experience against the overpowered Klowns. However, the game mechanics can feel unbalanced at times, with the overpowering Klowns sometimes making matches feel lopsided against uncoordinated human teams.
The Klown Conundrum
Playing as a Klown offers a different kind of thrill: one that involves setting traps and executing cartoonishly evil plans against the human players. Each Klown character comes with unique abilities like using psychic powers to lure humans or bashing them with mallets. However, despite these interesting tools, playing as a Klown often feels less engaging than the human experience. The tasks, like hanging cotton candy pods and navigating the larger maps, can become monotonous, lacking the frantic excitement of the human survival struggle.
Aesthetic and Atmosphere
Where the game truly excels is in its faithful recreation of the movie’s aesthetic. Fans of the 1988 film will appreciate the meticulous attention to detail in the environments and character designs. The iconic locations are beautifully rendered, and the in-game banter and classic theme song add layers of nostalgia and charm. This attention to detail extends to the character customization and progression systems, which offer various challenges and rewards, keeping the gameplay somewhat fresh for longer periods.
Technical Shortcomings
Despite its stylistic achievements, Killer Klowns from Outer Space: The Game is plagued by several technical issues. Players have reported problems with scoreboards, glitchy mechanics with cocoons, and non-interactive map objects that contribute to a less immersive experience. Additionally, the AI for bot-controlled characters is notably weak, often hindering the gameplay rather than enhancing it.
Conclusion
Killer Klowns from Outer Space: The Game is a mixed bag of thrilling moments and frustrating gameplay imbalances. While it brilliantly encapsulates the essence of the original film, making it a treat for fans, it struggles to stand out in a genre filled with more polished titles like “Dead by Daylight.” The game will likely appeal mostly to die-hard fans of the movie or those looking for a quirky twist on the asymmetrical horror genre. However, for others, the novelty might wear thin too quickly to justify a long-term commitment.
