John Carpenter's Toxic Commando Review: A Nostalgic Co-op Zombie Shooter
Saber Interactive, fresh from the success of Warhammer 40k: Space Marine 2, has unleashed John Carpenter's Toxic Commando, a horde-based shooter that embraces simplicity and unadulterated fun. This PvE co-op game channels the spirit of old-school zombie shooters, delivering chaotic, mindless entertainment perfect for group play.
Gameplay and Mechanics: Simple Yet Satisfying
In Toxic Commando, players team up as infected mercenaries battling the Sludge God's hordes in a near-future Earth setting. The gunplay is a standout feature, with three weapon slots allowing for snappy, responsive combat. Popping headshots and mowing down monsters feels incredibly cathartic, though character movement lacks flexibility, notably missing a knee slide mechanic.
Enemy variety extends beyond traditional zombies to include tentacled plants and quick stalkers, keeping engagements fresh. The mission structure sets it apart from peers like Left 4 Dead, with multi-step objectives that encourage exploration. Players must complete tasks such as destroying sludge nodes or scavenging parts, culminating in intense final stands against overwhelming hordes.
Vehicles and Progression: Adding Depth to Chaos
Vehicles play a crucial role, inspired by Saber's SnowRunner series. Navigating trucks and ATVs involves winching through obstacles and managing fuel, adding a risk-reward layer to traversal. This mechanic, while potentially frustrating during attacks, enhances strategic decision-making.
Progression is driven by in-game currencies like Residium and Sludgite, used for weapon upgrades and cosmetics. With four difficulty levels and reshuffled challenges, replayability is bolstered, though the core campaign can be completed in 8-10 hours on standard difficulty.
Classes and Narrative: Functional but Uninspired
The four classes—Strike, Defender, Medic, and Operator—offer flexibility but lack depth. Skills, such as the Operator's drone upgrades, are serviceable but fail to incentivize frequent switching. The narrative, while schlocky and B-movie-esque, provides adequate motivation for the gung-ho action, with characters fitting archetypal roles without standing out.
Verdict: A Solid, If Unoriginal, Co-op Experience
John Carpenter's Toxic Commando succeeds as a brainless, fun-focused shooter that evokes nostalgia for titles like Left 4 Dead. Its satisfying gunplay, vehicle mechanics, and mission variety make it a worthwhile pick for co-op enthusiasts, despite shortcomings in class design and innovation. Rating: 3/5.
