Like it or loathe it, it seems as though the Stranger Things-led 1980s nostalgia is still going strong. Although some might be growing a little tired of the tropes by now, when done effectively the neon-tinged settings and synth-led ephemeral soundtracks can really resonate. This is where Killer Frequency aims to land, with Team17 turning its eye to the 1980s through the lens of a slasher horror story.
Killer Frequency casts the player as late night radio show host Forrest Nash, who is roped in to help with saving the inhabitants of a sleepy town from a masked serial killer on the loose. It’s far from the only game with a slasher focus – and The Quarry even has some 1980s outfits for its characters – but where Killer Frequency differs is that the player has the restriction of remaining in the studio at all times. How much can they help at a distance, and can they solve the mystery of the killer’s identity?
From a gameplay perspective, this means finding materials from around the station that can help give the would-be victims an upper hand. This could be guiding someone through a maize maze away from the killer, giving guidance on how to hotwire a car, or even giving instructions to get an outside party to come and help. It’s a fun and creative way to run this kind of story, although occasionally the charm of this structure does run out a little.
What it means is that Killer Frequency ends up feeling a little like an extremely high stakes puzzle game. It’s about using logic and memory to give the potential victims of the killer a fighting chance of escaping. There are occasional time-sensitive answers here and there where the player will have to think on their feet, but overall it’s far more about putting together the pieces to make sure each person gets out alive.
Another area where Killer Frequency finds success is with its story. It’s a game that understands the cliches of the slasher horror, from the small town setting through to characters that give a nod and a wink to the classic films of the genre. It’s worth noting that Killer Frequency is also a rather funny game, a comedy horror that really manages to shine through some conversations and through the adverts that the player sometimes has to play on air.
2023-06-12 12:30:04
Original from screenrant.com
