Killer Frequency

About

Killer Frequency is a single player simulation game. It was developed by Team17 Digital and was released on June 1, 2023. It received very positive reviews from players.

In "Killer Frequency" , set in 1987, you play as fallen radio DJ Forrest Nash, now hosting a show in a small town with a mysterious killer on the loose. Solve puzzles, interact with eccentric locals, and make real-time decisions to help callers survive the night in this horror comedy with a retro slasher setting.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

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94%

Audience ScoreBased on 4,790 reviews

story1.1k positive mentions

monetization44 negative mentions

Engaging story with unexpected twists that keeps players on the edge of their seats.
Great voice acting and character development, making the characters feel real and relatable.
Unique gameplay mechanics that blend puzzle-solving with a narrative-driven experience.

Some puzzles can feel too easy or obvious, lacking challenge for experienced players.
The pacing can be slow at times, with long stretches of dialogue that may feel tedious.
Limited replayability due to the linear nature of the story and lack of significant changes in subsequent playthroughs.

story
1,864 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
38%
2%
The story of "Killer Frequency" is a captivating blend of 80s slasher tropes and interactive storytelling, immersing players in a unique narrative where they act as a radio host managing emergency calls during a murder spree. While the plot features engaging twists and memorable characters, some players noted occasional predictability and clichés typical of the genre. Overall, the game is praised for its strong voice acting, humor, and the ability to impact outcomes through player choices, making it a compelling experience for fans of story-driven games.
- “Killer Frequency is a unique horror experience that seamlessly blends '80s slasher tropes with modern interactive storytelling.”
- “The story is engaging and tense, with plenty of fun characters to interact with.”
- “The story is rich and the gameplay is fun.”
- “Dialogue is generally concise and witty but the plot beats it serves to convey are not as enthusing—the game leans too hard into the '80s slasher b-movie tropes and some of the genuinely tense and captivating moments are marred by stupid clichés and poorly timed humor.”
- “The plot continues on but it's really not a very good feeling to constantly be getting people killed.”
- “The story was meh, especially the end.”
music
632 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
55%
43%
2%
The music in "Killer Frequency" is widely praised for its authentic 80s vibe, featuring a varied and engaging soundtrack that enhances the game's nostalgic atmosphere. Players appreciate the blend of synth-wave and rock tunes, which effectively complement the slasher theme and contribute to the immersive experience. While some reviewers expressed a desire for more variety in the music selection, the overall consensus is that the soundtrack is a standout feature, making the game enjoyable and memorable.
- “The gameplay loop is satisfying, the OST is varied, but every song fits the 80's vibe.”
- “The soundtrack is excellent, the dialogue is frequently hilarious, and it's a cool thrasher killer story.”
- “The music is absolutely fantastic with incredibly good tracks that fit the game so well, probably the best track is the ending song; it's really good to the point I wish it was longer.”
- “I also think there is a missed opportunity with the in-game music.”
- “But the music is secondary and forgettable; a missed opportunity considering you play a DJ.”
- “Shame the music wasn't classic 80s music; it could have been a great game to boot up just to use as an 80's jukebox.”
graphics
416 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
52%
46%
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The graphics of the game are characterized by a vibrant 1980s aesthetic, featuring cel-shaded visuals and a comic book style that effectively captures the retro horror vibe. While some reviews note that the graphics are not cutting-edge, they are generally praised for their charm and ability to enhance the immersive atmosphere, making them appealing to fans of the genre. Overall, the art style and visuals contribute significantly to the game's nostalgic and engaging experience.
- “The graphics, though not the most high-end, fit perfectly with the retro style and complemented the game’s eerie atmosphere.”
- “The graphics are really good; it has a beautiful cel-shaded look with a great use of colors, scenery, and character designs that make everything just stand out.”
- “The visuals were stunning (in my opinion) and the music was pleasant.”
- “The graphics are passable but they are a bit cartoonish.”
- “The graphics aren't anything remarkable, but they have a sort of comic book style, which fits the type of story the game has.”
- “Everything in it is pretty average - graphics, story, etc.”
gameplay
412 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
62%
5%
The gameplay is primarily dialogue-driven, focusing on solving puzzles and making choices to save callers while navigating a radio station, which creates an engaging atmosphere reminiscent of 80s slasher films. While some players appreciate the unique concept and narrative depth, others find the mechanics simplistic and repetitive, with limited interactivity and a lack of challenging gameplay elements. Overall, the experience is more about the story and atmosphere than traditional action or complex gameplay, appealing mainly to fans of narrative-driven games.
- “The gameplay loop is satisfying, the OST is varied, but every song fits the 80's vibe.”
- “Engaging gameplay loop: the core gameplay loop of receiving calls, gathering information, making choices, and navigating the radio station is surprisingly engaging.”
- “The gameplay is very good; basically, you play as a radio host and your main objective is to answer calls and guide the caller to safety, making each call feel like a puzzle.”
- “Unfortunately, 'gameplay' isn't what I'd call it as I spent most of the time listening to the characters talk and wishing I had something to do other than throw paper balls into the garbage.”
- “The game is boring because the setting's mechanics are irrelevant to the gameplay itself.”
- “I wanted to like this game, and it had some strengths, but I found the gameplay shallow and boring.”
atmosphere
386 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
64%
35%
1%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive and nostalgic 80s slasher vibe, enhanced by a synth-wave soundtrack and retro visuals that effectively create a chilling yet engaging environment. Players appreciate the balance between humor and tension, with many noting that the game relies on its atmospheric storytelling rather than cheap jump scares, making it a unique experience in the horror genre. Overall, the game's ability to evoke a sense of unease while maintaining a cozy, interactive setting has resonated strongly with fans of atmospheric and narrative-driven games.
- “Immersive atmosphere: the game expertly captures the vintage horror vibe, with its synth-wave soundtrack, grainy visuals, and chilling sound design.”
- “The atmosphere is fantastic and drips classic 80s neon-colored charm.”
- “The atmosphere shifts between cozy (when you play music records, chat with a colleague or answer prank calls) and anxiety-inducing, when you explore the dark corners of the radio station or try to pick the correct line of dialogue extremely carefully, as one mistake will lead to your caller's immediate death.”
- “Chilling to some tunes in a creepy atmosphere while having constant banter should be extremely fun but quickly becomes a tedious and predictable loop of pretty much the same actions time and time again.”
- “I feel conflicted about the atmosphere because while it's aesthetically pleasing, somehow it's hard to get immersed into it.”
- “Overall, the game has okay vibes and atmosphere, but that alone isn't enough to make me want to finish this game.”
humor
242 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
98%
2%
The humor in the game is a standout feature, blending witty dialogue and clever wordplay with a campy, '80s slasher vibe that keeps the experience entertaining. While some players found the humor well-timed and genuinely funny, others felt it occasionally fell flat or was overshadowed by clichés. Overall, the game successfully balances dark humor with tense moments, creating a unique atmosphere that resonates with fans of horror-comedy.
- “What I love is that the game doesn’t take itself too seriously either – it has a great balance of horror and dark humor that keeps things fun and entertaining.”
- “The voice acting is great, the characters are funny and relatable, the puzzles require an eye for detail and the story progression as well as the resolution felt really satisfying and well-paced!”
- “The way situations play out as they happen can be either intensely rewarding as you successfully solve how to save your callers in jeopardy from the stereotypical slasher villain, or incredibly hilarious as they die in various gruesome ways.”
- “In a 5 hour game, the majority of my 1.6 hours was just idling looking at my second monitor while characters discussed unimportant and unfunny things.”
- “Too boring and repetitive, unfunny dialogue and uninteresting mechanics.”
- “Not funny, ridiculous.”
replayability
148 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
23%
66%
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The game's replayability is a mixed bag, with some players appreciating the multiple endings and branching storylines that encourage revisits, while others find the linear narrative limits replay value significantly. Many reviews suggest that replayability is primarily driven by achievements and exploring different dialogue options, but overall, the consensus leans towards limited replay value unless players are completionists or interested in experiencing alternative outcomes.
- “Multiple playthrough value: the game encourages replayability with multiple endings and branching storylines depending on your choices.”
- “It's a tight game with great replay value because the stories can change each time!”
- “This is a really great murder mystery, with great replay value!”
- “Although the game is pretty good, I don't think it's worth the full price because of its length and it has no replay value.”
- “The one and only downside I can think of is that, as a suspenseful thriller-mystery game, the replay value kinda goes down once you know the mystery and all the right choices.”
- “It doesn't have much in the way of replay value, and it's a little short (beat it in a little over 5 hours), but the core concept is exceptionally done.”
optimization
50 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
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Overall, the game is praised for its excellent optimization, running smoothly on a variety of hardware, including older machines, with minimal performance issues and short load times. Players report a polished experience with no significant bugs, although some noted minor stuttering in specific areas. The strong voice acting and engaging audio design further enhance the overall performance, despite some criticisms regarding the writing quality.
- “Runs smoothly even on my potato of a machine.”
- “The game is optimized nicely, and the load times were short.”
- “The game was well-optimized and could run relatively smoothly despite me being on an older laptop and not having to sacrifice too many visual downgrades.”
- “That said, you spend a lot of time sitting in one place just listening... I can tell this was optimized for VR... but kind of an odd choice for a VR experience.”
- “It's even crazier that in a game where 95% of the game is just a radio play, there's such a poor performance from its cast.”
- “However, I must say that sometimes the dialogue writing and the voice acting performances are laughably bad or distracting; we're talking beyond the campy and corny levels that older horror movies have.”
emotional
44 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
95%
5%
The game effectively immerses players in a tense, emotionally charged atmosphere reminiscent of classic '80s horror films, with moral dilemmas and character interactions that evoke genuine feelings of fear and empathy. While some players found the emotional delivery inconsistent, the overall experience is marked by impactful moments that resonate deeply, particularly when players face the consequences of their choices. The combination of engaging storytelling, strong audio design, and emotional stakes creates a compelling narrative that leaves a lasting impression.
- “This combined with the moral burden placed on players throughout the campaign mode - with victims literally pleading with you over the phone lines to help them stay alive - creates an experience that is both immersive and emotionally engaging.”
- “Most of the achievements feel good when you unlock them, but getting everyone killed is heartbreaking.”
- “There's good breathing room between the more heavy and serious bits where you can have a laugh and breathe out before you go into the next heavy moment, without it feeling like a bad emotional rollercoaster.”
- “Spent an hour standing around and listening to a boring story and voice acting.”
- “Spent an hour standing around and listening to a boring story and voice acting.”
monetization
44 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The monetization aspect of the game revolves around the use of humorous and exaggerated advertisements played through cassettes during gameplay, which players find entertaining despite their length and corny nature. While the ads add a unique charm and nostalgia, some players feel that the DJ character lacks depth and that the overall plot could be more engaging. The game cleverly integrates these ads into its mechanics, making them a central part of the experience without overwhelming the player.
- “You must sit and listen to ads that are twice as long as any radio ad would ever be in real life because the writers think they are very funny and they want you to listen to their bad jokes.”
- “The only time Forrest shows all that much emotion is yelling at Ponty to stop trying to get free advertising.”
- “You'll get calls from potential victims, prank callers, and Ponty of Ponty's Pizza, trying to get free advertising.”
grinding
22 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
5%
31%
64%
The grinding aspect of the game is frequently described as tedious and repetitive, with players noting that the dialogue and actions become monotonous over time. While the story and puzzles are appreciated, the inability to skip or speed up dialogue contributes to a frustrating experience, leading some to suggest that extensive grinding may require an excessive time commitment. Overall, the game is seen as enjoyable for puzzle lovers, but the grinding can detract from the overall experience.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “Chilling to some tunes in a creepy atmosphere while having constant banter should be extremely fun but quickly becomes a tedious and predictable loop of pretty much the same actions time and time again.”
- “The 'puzzles' are a tad easy and the dialogue, while overall enjoyable and well voiced, does get a bit tedious at times, especially since it is completely impossible to skip or accelerate it.”
- “Roughly a 6-7 hour play-through for casual players but under 4 for those grinding.”
stability
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
63%
The stability of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players reporting significant bugs and glitches that can disrupt gameplay, including softlocks and performance issues. Conversely, others have experienced smooth performance with no technical problems. Overall, while some users praise the game's optimization, the presence of recurring technical issues remains a concern for many.
- “The game runs great, with 0 issues related to performance and bugs.”
- “Plays great, runs smoothly, and I have nothing to complain about.”
- “To say the game was extremely well optimized and bug-free is an understatement.”
- “Technical issues: some players have reported encountering bugs and glitches that can impact gameplay.”
- “It's buggy; the game might softlock you in certain parts.”
- “The DJ aspect is incredibly limited, and I found it incredibly buggy at times.”
character development
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
62%
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Character development in the game is highlighted as a significant aspect, with players engaging in extensive dialogue with NPCs that deepens the narrative. The character designs, including the standout "whistling killer," are praised for their aesthetic appeal, contributing to an immersive experience that enhances the overall storytelling.
- “Personally, one of my favorite things about this game was the Whistling Killer's character design.”
- “The character designs, models, and voices are also really nice!”
- “Gameplay is mostly talking to NPCs, a few light puzzles, and a lot of character development while trying to figure out what's going on.”