Killer Is Dead

55%
Game Brain Score Based on 3,458 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • graphics
Killer Is Dead Game Cover
Killer is Dead is an interesting and unique game, but it's repetitious gameplay and short storyline doesn't really justify the $60 purchase.
Starting at $3.43Buy now
Get on Steam

"Killer Is Dead" is an action game where you play as Mondo Zappa, an executioner for the government. Your mission is to defeat various targets using a variety of weapons, including a katana and cybernetic arm. The game features a unique art style and fast-paced combat, with a touch of surreal and bizarre storytelling.

  • PC
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Play​Station
  • Play​station 3
  • Xbox
  • Xbox 360
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

55%
Audience ScoreBased on 3,458 reviews
story445 positive mentions
stability56 negative mentions
  • story2,193 mentions

    The story of "Killer is Dead" is a surreal and often confusing narrative typical of Suda51's style, blending bizarre elements with dark humor and philosophical themes. Players encounter a mix of episodic missions that range from engaging to nonsensical, with a central plot involving the protagonist, Mondo Zappa, navigating a world filled with eccentric characters and absurd scenarios, including the controversial "gigolo missions" that serve as both a gameplay mechanic and a source of discomfort for many. While the story may lack coherence and depth, it is often described as entertainingly chaotic, appealing to those who appreciate unconventional storytelling in video games.

    • “Please just play killer7, a 19 year old game which still shines in story, style and substance.”
    • “The story is structured like a show, so by the end of it I felt like I had watched 14 or so episodes of a pretty sick anime.”
    • “The story is not that deep, but it's kept purposefully confusing to a hit-and-miss degree; thankfully, you can get a director mode after beating the story, which tells you absolutely everything that is going on.”
    • “The story got cut somewhere along the way for the budget, so it's littered with filler missions that are all a one-trick-pony of a sex joke mini game.”
    • “The only strong issue I have with this game is that to get more subweapons (which are critical for having fun and getting more stuff done with better ranks) you need to do missions as a gigolo servicing female clients: you win these missions by staring at the client's crotch and boobs while she isn't looking until your arousal compels you to make a move and win her over by offering her gifts you think she'll like in exchange for sex.”
  • gameplay832 mentions

    The gameplay of "Killer is Dead" is characterized by its hack-and-slash mechanics, which some players find engaging and fun, particularly when mastering combos and dodging techniques. However, many reviews highlight issues such as repetitive combat, clunky controls, and a lack of depth compared to other titles in the genre like "Devil May Cry." While the game features a unique art style and quirky elements, technical problems and a convoluted story detract from the overall experience for some players.

    • “Solid hack and slash gameplay, good variety of environments, and very creative/interesting bosses.”
    • “The gameplay is incredible; it feels smooth, fun, precise, and very skill based.”
    • “Killer is dead is fun hack and slash with a unique artstyle, and fun gameplay.”
    • “Gameplay seems depthless but a bother.”
    • “The gameplay is mediocre, if you're expecting a devil may cry or a god of war - the combat just doesn't deliver.”
    • “The gameplay itself is unpolished, the story is convoluted, and it just isn't worth the full price.”
  • graphics813 mentions

    The graphics of "Killer is Dead" are characterized by a unique cel-shaded art style that draws comparisons to previous Suda51 titles, offering a visually striking and surreal aesthetic. While many players appreciate the bold and colorful visuals, some criticize the graphical fidelity and performance issues, including a locked frame rate and limited graphical options. Overall, the art style is a polarizing aspect, with some finding it captivating and others deeming it disorienting or unattractive.

    • “The visuals are absolutely stunning when you consider this was an Xbox 360 title, and when you can actually get it running at 1080p or more with 60fps, it looks and runs like an actual dream.”
    • “The presentation and art style are beyond amazing.”
    • “The graphics are beautiful in their own style, although the world is kinda hidden and the setting in all missions is never too captivating, and the character design is nice.”
    • “The graphics suck.”
    • “Honestly, I think the graphics in this game are god awful.”
    • “The graphics are worse than bad; there seem to be like five models scattered throughout the game that are constantly being reused, animations are an utter disaster... I really regret having paid 6.79 euros for this piece of s**t.”
  • music240 mentions

    The music in the game has received a mixed but generally positive reception, with many praising its engaging and diverse soundtrack that blends orchestral, techno, jazz, and ambient elements. While some tracks stand out as memorable, others are considered forgettable, and there are moments of intentional silence that disrupt the flow. Overall, the soundtrack complements the game's unique art style and gameplay, contributing to an immersive experience, though opinions vary on its overall impact.

    • “The gameplay, the anarcho-post-punk feeling, setting and vibe that it had and that awesome soundtrack was an experience that I wish I could experience again for the first time.”
    • “The music is absolutely fantastic, brilliantly composed by Akira Yamaoka who is famous for the original Silent Hill soundtracks as well as Contra: Shattered Soldier and Lollipop Chainsaw.”
    • “Great jazzy music made me feel like I was playing some weird alternative universe of Cowboy Bebop.”
    • “And there are gameplay sections without audio (that seems intentional) so it will go from a decent hip-hop soundtrack on a loading screen to immediate silence with your character standing there.”
    • “The game mechanics are really polished, music is forgettable, mini games are meh; except scarlet challenges.”
    • “I turned the music off the first 30 minutes of the game as it was terrible in my opinion, but others may enjoy.”
  • humor160 mentions

    The humor in the game is a mix of absurdity, dark comedy, and surrealism, often drawing on Suda51's signature style, which includes quirky characters and fourth-wall breaks. While some players find the humor to be hilariously offbeat and entertaining, others criticize it for being inconsistent or overly reliant on stereotypes. Overall, the game offers a blend of mindless fun and bizarre storytelling that can be both amusing and cringe-worthy, appealing to fans of unconventional humor.

    • “The story is crazy and over the top, you will see and hear the craziest things all accompanied with humor making you chuckle.”
    • “It has all of the Suda 51 trademarks; constant hectic action, stylish cel-shaded visuals, colorful oddball characters, sexy women, and enough humorous fourth-wall breaks to fill an entire Family Guy season.”
    • “The refined and eccentric sense of humor present in this game is hard to describe; the gigolo missions are hilarious.”
    • “Mika is an extreme force cliché (the same goes for many characters, though) and is not funny.”
  • stability66 mentions

    The stability of "Killer is Dead" has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting significant bugs, freezes, and crashes that hinder gameplay, particularly in specific episodes. While some users have experienced smooth performance after applying fixes, others warn that the game is currently unplayable for many due to persistent glitches. Overall, potential buyers are advised to wait for patches before purchasing, as the game's stability issues detract from its otherwise appealing design and atmosphere.

    • “Once you apply the fixes, the game runs great.”
    • “Very fun game, no glitches that I experienced, great buy.”
    • “I've encountered no glitches, freezes, or bugs up to this point.”
    • “The 14 minutes of playtime I have logged right now are more or less spent on troubleshooting. Do not buy the game in its current condition, even if it looks like a steal.”
    • “Atrocious port that regularly freezes up so bad your PC will require a reboot.”
    • “It has been made unplayable by myself and many others due to major glitches, endless loading, and crashes.”
  • replayability62 mentions

    The game's replayability is a mixed bag, with many players praising its high replay value due to multiple difficulty levels, side missions, and hidden challenges. While some find the main campaign short, the abundance of content and the pursuit of high scores keep players engaged. However, a few reviews note a lack of replayability for those who feel they have fully completed the game, highlighting that enjoyment may vary based on individual preferences.

    • “It wasn't incredibly long, and has a ton of replay value if you want to go for the mission challenges and really test your mettle.”
    • “The game is fairly short but very replayable with multiple difficulties to keep things fresh and fun.”
    • “Packed with bright and luscious color, fast-paced action, and unique gameplay mechanics, Killer is Dead offers high replay value.”
    • “It doesn't have any replayability though.”
    • “There isn't any replayability.”
    • “Though, you won't find any replay value here.”
  • optimization58 mentions

    The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players noting that it requires significant tweaking to achieve stable performance, particularly on PC. While some users report good performance after adjustments, others experience frequent crashes and inconsistent frame rates, indicating that the port is poorly optimized overall. Overall, the game's optimization issues detract from the experience, despite its engaging gameplay and visuals.

    • “From 8 to 10: it is perfectly optimized and it has little or no requirement to rely on configuring it.”
    • “No stuttering, no lag.”
    • “I would say performance-wise it's as good as DMC Devil May Cry with lots of action/movement on screen with no slowdown/lag/drop in frame whatsoever.”
    • “I've played for about half an hour and got 5 crashes, along with performance issues using a Core i5 11500 with a Radeon 6600 XT.”
    • “The only thing I didn't like was that the optimization is poorly done.”
    • “Getting into the performance area, I'm not going to blame Grasshopper entirely since they weren't totally responsible for the PC port, but it's bad, really bad. Video configuration is kept at bare minimum and the inconsistent frame-rate deteriorates its most important part. To summarize, this game is a disappointment to me, that really in the end expected a more serious toned No More Heroes and ended up with a mesh of ideas turned into an awful game.”
  • atmosphere50 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its unique art style, surrealistic elements, and immersive sound design, creating a distinct and engrossing experience. Reviewers highlight the combination of rich colors, deep shadows, and bizarre character designs that contribute to a foreboding yet captivating ambiance. Overall, the game's atmosphere is considered a standout feature, enhancing the storytelling and gameplay, despite some technical issues.

    • “It is a masterpiece of storytelling, atmosphere, and mechanics blended into one.”
    • “The aesthetic design is also fantastic, with rich colors and deep shadows, and surreal characters and stages that make for a foreboding but engrossing atmosphere.”
    • “The atmosphere and imagery in the game is so different from anything else that I've experienced on the PC.”
    • “The majority of it being slower-paced, or specifically designed to set an atmosphere for the levels, at times being unnerving, and at others intent on giving a sense of urgency.”
  • character development50 mentions

    Character development in the game is generally viewed as lacking depth, with many characters, including the protagonist Mondo, being described as underdeveloped or bland. While the character designs are praised for their uniqueness and visual appeal, the narrative fails to deliver substantial growth or engaging story arcs, often relying on cutscenes that do not significantly enhance character depth. Overall, while the game features interesting aesthetics and some engaging dialogue, it does not fulfill its potential for meaningful character development.

    • “I was in absolute love with the dialogue, character design, and atmosphere of the entire game.”
    • “Killer is Dead is very cut-scene and doesn't really tell anything resembling a story until later on, as Mondo gets some character development and evolves from being a bland, forgettable character into something more interesting that makes you question who your allies are.”
    • “The character development stories are pretty good.”
    • “I don’t think any of this would be a problem, considering I’ve enjoyed a lot of games in the past with barely any story or character development, but the game’s tone dictates that these things are important and the plenty of cutscenes are a constant reminder of how story-driven the game is or was supposed to be.”
    • “(In my opinion) however as a whole still generally lacks character development and thus nobody stands out.”
    • “It could have been an opportunity for actual character development à la Persona 3 & 4's social links, but nope, it's just dumb.”
  • grinding34 mentions

    Players consistently describe the grinding in the game as tedious and excessive, particularly when pursuing achievements and character upgrades. Many aspects, such as gigolo missions and money accumulation, require repetitive gameplay with unskippable cutscenes, leading to a frustrating experience. Overall, the grinding detracts from the enjoyment, making the game feel longer and more monotonous than it should be.

    • “Then, I started grinding for the achievements. The difficulty achievements don't stack, so you need to finish a playthrough on normal, hard, and very hard for starters. The 'get 100 million' dollars is not cumulative, so you need to hold that amount at one time. In other words, you need to grind money for hours without buying anything.”
    • “The gigolo missions have their sets of achievements, and the thing is, after the first three times you clear them, they are absolutely useless. But you need to keep grinding them to get the achievements, so you need to repeat a tedious minigame with unskippable cutscenes for rewards that are useless. You also have to grind a ton of money for achievements, and their price goes up every time too.”
    • “If you're interested in achievements or collecting a lot of stuff in the game, then sadly you will face a totally senseless grinding marathon.”
  • emotional16 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is marked by a tonal inconsistency that shifts abruptly between serious themes and humor, often undermining the intended emotional impact. While some players appreciate the jazzy soundtrack and find the experience engaging despite its flaws, others express discomfort with certain missions and the portrayal of women, leading to a lack of emotional resonance in key narrative moments. Overall, the game struggles to balance its emotional storytelling with its quirky presentation, resulting in mixed feelings among players.

    • “I liked it, although there were flaws to it, but they never really made me feel like I disliked it or wanted to stop playing.”
    • “An attractive lover that is fun to play around with but emotionally unavailable and kind of frustrating at times.”
    • “The oscillating tone does not work well too; it varies from emotional scenes to lame humor very fast.”
  • monetization2 mentions

    The monetization of the PC port has been criticized as a low-effort cash grab, leaving users disappointed with its perceived lack of value.

    • “It's just sad that the PC port is such a low-effort cash grab.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

35% average critic score

Buy Killer Is Dead

Play time

5hMedian play time
7hAverage play time
7hMain story
26hCompletionist
4-8hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 22 analyzed playthroughs

Videos

Similar Games