Despite Killer Klowns from Outer Space earning just $352 at the box office, the movie has become a cult classic and one horror fans around the world love. According to developer IllFonic, it’s also the perfect basis for a video game. IllFonic is no stranger to the world of asymmetrical horror, and its latest endeavor is one of admiration for its source material. Thankfully, it helps that the overall plot and concept of Killer Klowns translate pretty seamlessly to the world of video games.
During PAX East 2024, I got the chance to go hands-on with IllFonic’s game version of the cult movie. Fans of the movie will be glad to know that careful care was taken to make sure there are tons of nods and Easter eggs for fans, while fans who are new to the world of Killer Klowns can simply enjoy the absurd chaos of trying to escape an evil Klown’s bubble gum ray.
Fans of other IllFonic games like Friday the 13th: The Game or Predator: Hunting Grounds will be right at home with Killer Klowns. The game is another asymmetrical survival horror game that pits players against each other. This time, though, instead of going up against just one enemy, it’s multiple. Killer Klowns operates on a 3-v-7 format, with three Klowns trying to track down and capture seven humans.
Once players touch down in the game, humans will have to try and hide from Klowns and make their way to one of several randomized escape locations. Klowns, on the other hand, have to use their abilities and weapons to hunt down humans. While there are five Klown classes to choose from (each representing a Klown from the movie), I only got to play as Shorty, the Scout of the Klowns.
Gameplay plays out similarly to other asymmetrical horror games. Klowns use any and all items at their disposal to capture and kill humans, and humans have to try and stop it. For fans of the Killer Klowns movie, the attention to detail is surprisingly great. Everything from the popcorn gun, cotton candy gun, and giant cocoons are in the game, and they look and work exactly as you’d remember them.
Due to the movie the game is adapting being so outlandish in nature, it lends itself extremely well to a video game. Humans running give away their locations to Klowns via pop-ups on screen, and capturing them allows for the chance to trap them inside cocoons, which can be delivered to hook structures that, when leveled up, make the game a bit easier for the Klowns.
Although Killer Klowns plays much like a traditional asymmetrical survival horror game, it does separate itself in some key ways. Much like the 1988 movie, the human in the Killer Klowns game can fight back, and actually “kill” the Klowns.
In the game, players can use weapons found across the map to take down Klowns, giving them a chance to fight back. Defeating a Klown simply forces them to go away for a bit, but it’s still a huge mechanic that you don’t often see in these types of games and makes it feel much less impossible to come away with a win (although it’s still pretty tough).
While my time with the game was relatively short — we played one match that lasted just about 15 minutes — it was clear that the game was in a relatively great state ahead of its launch this year. For fans of the type of game that IllFonic makes, this will be yet another great addition to a genre that continues to shine a light on some of the best horror titles out there. If you’re not a fan of these types of games, there’s still some fun stuff to be found, especially due to the unique makeup of the game’s combat.
