It’s a concept that looks good on paper. Create a hack-and-slash/twin-stick shooter with co-op support, distinctive characters that know how to go on the attack, and all sorts of skills to upgrade and loot to pick up. That sounds like a winner, don’t it?
The only thing is, we already have a handful of AAA titles that already know how to do that. That makes it tough for any indie studio to try to capitalize on the formula without genuine effort.
Nevertheless, Novarama tried to do that with Killsquad when it initially released in 2019; and now, with its arrival on consoles, it’s attempting to do so again.
The game definitely has its moments, but it also has a fair share of problems that hinder it from keeping up with the big boys. It might be good for some in spurts, but there’s no question that it could have been better.
The Killsquad Welcomes You…If You Accept
So, in case the name doesn’t tell you already, the Killsquad consists of intergalactic warriors that are completing missions handed to them. This usually revolves around destroying some large alien that’s wreaking havoc, along with a handful of his buddies, as well as other secondary missions. Like, for instance, feeding a machine batteries so that it overloads and explodes (because who needs self-destruct, yeah?).
The game’s distinctive characters are the best thing going for it, including a smack-talking robot with a laser beam, as well as a shooter that looks like he borrowed from Terry Bogard’s wardrobe. There are some good characters here, and the ability to unlock new skills and add extra perks is a decent touch.
Alas, the big problem is that the gameplay never really evolves the right way. First off, it’s repetitive, as shooting, rolling and firing second abilities never gets to the next level. It just feels the same, no matter what you unlock.
But perhaps, more frustratingly, Killsquad has uneven difficulty. Some stages are a breeze and give you opportunity to “loot up,” so to speak. Others, however, are gnashingly difficult, even with a battle party. And soon you’re overwhelmed and have to start over again, with only minor rewards to come from it.
It just feels like a grind. Had we seen some sort of evolution on the level of, say, Diablo, we might be more understanding. But Killsquad keeps its basic premise on its sleeve, and, as a result, is probably best left for quick spurts. Which is a bit sad to say the least, because its nature clearly yells, “LONG-TERM!”
The gameplay isn’t bad, and the drop-in co-op works fairly well, but it would’ve been ideal to see a better endgame built for Killsquad on its second time around. Alas, that didn’t happen.
Some Good Looks, But Some Ugly Ones Too
Another problem with Killsquad is its mixed package of a presentation.
On the one hand, the game moves smoothly enough, and some of the enemy designs offer a good deal of variety. However, most of the environments you go through are drab and unimaginative. You’ve seen one rocky planet, you’ve seen them all. Later stages try to pick up the pace a little bit, but by that point, many players might wonder why they’ve chosen to stick around so long.
The animations aren’t bad, though some of the death segments really feel like afterthoughts. Some just vanish, and some die off like they’re going through acting school. It’s weird.
Audio isn’t much better, I’m afraid. The music is all right, but very segmented and doesn’t play nearly as often as it should. That leaves the sound effects, which aren’t bad, and the character voices, which…are. That’s mainly because they repeat their attacks often. Like…very often. Almost every time. That would be great if they actually had better personality, but that’s lacking, so it isn’t.
Missing the Mark
There are things about Killsquad we do like. The characters offer some diversity that make them worthwhile; the co-op drop-in drop-out gameplay works relatively well; and there’s enough to loot and level up with here. But the lacking presentation, the grindy nature of the game and the failure to really feel like you’re moving forward just fail to do any favors here.
Killsquad goes for the gut, but collapses before it can even go for the legs. It’s good for quick sessions, but you can easily find better fare for the money.
