Killer Frequency
- June 1, 2023
- Team17 Digital
- 6h median play time
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.
Reviews
- 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.
- Pacing issues with long dialogue sequences that can feel tedious and slow down the gameplay.
- Limited replayability due to the linear nature of the story and lack of significant gameplay variation.
- Some puzzles can be overly simplistic, lacking the challenge that players might expect.
- story932 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- 38 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The story of "Killer Frequency" is a captivating blend of 1980s slasher tropes and interactive storytelling, immersing players in a unique narrative experience that unfolds through engaging dialogue and character interactions. While some players noted occasional clichés and predictable elements, the overall plot is praised for its twists, humor, and depth, making it a memorable journey with significant replay value due to multiple endings based on player choices. The voice acting and atmospheric design further enhance the storytelling, creating a compelling and entertaining horror experience.
“Killer Frequency is a unique horror experience that seamlessly blends '80s slasher tropes with modern interactive storytelling.”
“The story is incredibly interesting, easily getting me hooked within seconds of starting the game to the very end.”
“The story had me gripped until the very end, not very replayable, but a solid game out of all, especially on sale, which it frequently is.”
“The plot continues on but it's really not a very good feeling to constantly be getting people killed.”
“The story was a bit predictable, but still well-written and fun.”
“The story feels like an 80's horror b-movie but manages to rise up and provide a great mystery with some bits of humor thrown in here and there.”
- music316 mentions
- 55 % positive mentions
- 43 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The music in the game has been widely praised for its excellent 80s-inspired soundtrack, which effectively enhances the nostalgic atmosphere and complements the gameplay. Many players appreciate the variety of tracks, though some express a desire for more diversity as the game progresses. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's immersive experience and engaging narrative.
“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 the shining point for this title, as it should be!”
“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.”
- graphics208 mentions
- 52 % positive mentions
- 46 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
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 are colorful and draw you into the setting of an 80s radio station, and the ending is an exciting twist.”
“Everything in it is pretty average - graphics, story, etc. The things I didn't like about the game were the choices I was left with in a number of parts (I feel a lot more believable/logical options would have been helpful), Forrest himself, and somewhat of a disconnect between the year this took place and technology available.”
“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.”
- gameplay206 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 62 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
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 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 unique, innovative, and funny to play; the storyline is intriguing. If you like suspense and thriller, it's the perfect game.”
“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.”
“The actual gameplay is about what you'd expect from this kind of game and the puzzles are really cool but the game just made them far too easy to figure out.”
- atmosphere193 mentions
- 64 % positive mentions
- 34 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive and nostalgic 80s slasher vibe, enhanced by a captivating synth-wave soundtrack and retro visuals. Players appreciate the balance between humor and tension, with the setting of a small-town radio station contributing to a unique blend of cozy and creepy elements. Overall, the game's atmosphere is considered its strongest aspect, effectively drawing players into its engaging narrative and character interactions.
“The atmosphere is fantastic and drips classic 80s neon-colored charm.”
“Immersive atmosphere: the game expertly captures the vintage horror vibe, with its synth-wave soundtrack, grainy visuals, and chilling sound design.”
“The atmosphere shifts between cozy and anxiety-inducing, creating a unique experience as you explore the dark corners of the radio station.”
“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.”
“The atmosphere is too light for the horror elements to even make a significant impact on the player's experience.”
- humor121 mentions
- 98 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
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 hit-or-miss, many appreciated the balance of dark comedy and genuine tension, with memorable characters and funny moments that enhance the overall atmosphere. Overall, the game successfully combines humor with horror, creating a unique and engaging experience that resonates with fans of both genres.
“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 humor is great and well-timed.”
“The voice acting was hilarious and perfect for a 1980s slasher film-inspired game.”
“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, with unfunny dialogue and uninteresting mechanics.”
“Not funny, just ridiculous.”
- replayability74 mentions
- 23 % positive mentions
- 66 % neutral mentions
- 11 % negative mentions
The game's replayability is a mixed bag, with some players appreciating the multiple endings and branching storylines that encourage revisits, while others find it limited due to its linear narrative and short playtime. Many reviews suggest that replay value primarily hinges on achievements and exploring different dialogue options, but overall, it may not be compelling enough for players seeking extensive replay experiences. Despite these limitations, some players still find enjoyment in replaying for different outcomes or to experience the story again.
“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!”
“The overall story progression or length of the game is ~5 hours, and there's plenty of different dialogue options and outcomes, as well as endings, for the 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.”
- optimization25 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 48 % neutral mentions
- 12 % negative mentions
Overall, the game is praised for its excellent optimization, running smoothly on a variety of hardware, including lower-end 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 audio design further enhance the overall performance, contributing to an engaging gameplay experience.
“Runs smoothly even on my potato of a machine.”
“The game is optimized nicely, and the load times were short.”
“I didn't experience any bugs or performance issues whatsoever, very polished.”
“That said, you spend a lot of time sitting in one place just listening... I can tell this was optimized for VR, but it's 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.”
- emotional22 mentions
- 95 % positive mentions
- -9 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its immersive tension and the moral dilemmas players face, creating a blend of fear and empathy as they navigate the narrative. Players report feeling genuinely affected by the story, with moments of heartbreak and emotional engagement, particularly when saving or failing to save characters. However, some criticism arises from inconsistent voice acting that can disrupt immersion, despite the overall emotional depth and nostalgic atmosphere reminiscent of classic horror films.
“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.”
“At first, I thought it would be way too cheesy and lame, but it was really cool and honestly affected me emotionally at some parts.”
“I spent an hour standing around listening to a boring story and lackluster voice acting.”
“The emotional moments felt forced and didn't resonate with me at all.”
“I expected to feel something, but the game left me completely indifferent.”
- monetization22 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game is primarily centered around humorous and exaggerated in-game advertisements that players engage with during gameplay, creating a lighthearted atmosphere. While some players appreciate the comedic value of the ads and the nostalgic feel of the cassette player, others find the length and corny nature of the ads tiresome. Overall, the integration of ads is seen as a fun, albeit sometimes overdone, element that enhances the quirky charm of the game.
“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.”
“I also think aside from the amazing music/funny callers and ads you play that the DJ character was not fleshed out enough because we don't find out exactly why he got booted from his hot shot gig in Chicago or how he ended up in the middle of nowhere.”
- grinding11 mentions
- 9 % positive mentions
- 27 % neutral mentions
- 64 % negative mentions
Reviews highlight that the grinding aspect of the game is often tedious and repetitive, with players expressing frustration over unskippable dialogue and a lack of variety in actions. While the story and puzzles are appreciated, the overall experience can feel like a chore, leading some to suggest that extensive grinding may require an excessive time commitment.
“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.”
“One word: tedious.”
- stability8 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 63 % negative mentions
The stability of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players experiencing significant bugs and glitches that can disrupt gameplay, while others report a smooth performance with no issues. Overall, while many users praise the game's optimization, a notable number have encountered frustrating technical problems.
“The game runs great, with zero issues related to performance or bugs.”
“It plays wonderfully and runs smoothly; I have nothing to complain about.”
“To say the game is 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 to be incredibly buggy at times.”
- character development4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is highlighted as a strong aspect, with players appreciating the depth and engagement it offers through interactions with NPCs and the unfolding narrative. The character designs and voice acting further enhance this experience, making the characters memorable and visually appealing. Overall, the combination of compelling storytelling and well-crafted character aesthetics contributes significantly to the game's immersive quality.
“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.”
“The character development feels shallow and lacks meaningful progression.”
“I found the character arcs to be predictable and uninspired.”
“There is a lack of depth in the characters, making it hard to connect with them.”