Killer Klowns from Outer Space is not the game that the asymmetrical horror genre wants, but it is the game that the asymmetrical horror genre needs. I make such a bold statement out of the gate with this review because Killer Klowns from Outer Space: The Game has done something for me that no other asymmetrical horror game has ever done before. It makes both sides fun to play. That statement alone seems absolutely bonkers to hear in this genre.

Every game from Dead by Daylight to Friday the 13th to Video Horror Society, they have all failed to deliver a game that is fun to play on both sides. While I would make the argument that Ghostbusters: Spirits Unleashed and Midnight Ghost Hunt are the two games that have come the closest to creating a fun balance between both sides, Killer Klowns from Outer Space: The Game has taken the win in this regard. While I have made such a bold statement, allow me to go into detail on the game and defend my statement.

Killer Klowns from Outer Space: The Game works like most asymmetrical horror games where you have one side that is trying to escape the map while the other side is trying to kill everyone else. While the typical formula for this is one killer versus four or five survivors, this game adopts a system of three Klowns versus seven humans. This team setup allows for there to be a stronger sense of teamwork required for success in every match.

The Killer Klowns are often able to take on two humans at once, but they are nearly unstoppable if together. Humans on the other hand are often rather vulnerable on their own unless they have the right tools and skills to take out a Klown on their own. When together, humans can often turn the tide on a Klown if it is a 3 versus 1 scenario. It should be noted though that this is not always a guarantee. 

Let’s dive into the specifics of the Klowns to get a better picture of how they work. Klowns have a selection of archetypes and tools that can be used to change how effective they are. Some Klown setups are better at group confrontations while others are better at tracking humans. I tend to go for the Tracker archetype with the Balloon Dog skill so that I can track down humans, especially in dense foliage. The weapons that the Klowns have access to span from ranged to melee weapons.

Ranged weapons are primarily used to cotton candy your enemies while melee weapons are used to knock humans out to the ground for a period of time. Depending on the ranged weapon chosen, you also have the ability to cotton candy the various escape routes that the humans have access to. The Klowns gain victory by killing all the humans by one of three methods: Knocking them down and performing a Klowntality, Cocooning them in cotton candy and stringing them up at one of four stations, or triggering the Klownpocalypse by either activating all of the stations or with time running out.

The humans’ primary goal is to escape the map through one of four primary escape routes. To use any of these escape routes, the humans have to find a variety of parts scattered throughout the map to get everything up and running. It is important to note that not all humans can escape through a single route. Each escape route tends to allow three humans to escape, meaning that the humans will have to work together to get at least three of the escape routes open to get a perfect human victory.

While most asymmetrical horror games don’t give anything for the humans to do once they have been killed, Killer Klowns from Outer Space: The Game fixes that problem. The first way that they fix this is by providing the dead or escaped humans with mini-games to earn items.

These items can be given to any of the humans still alive or kept in your inventory in case the remaining humans activate the resurrection machine. This machine brings back all of the dead humans and gives them a second chance at getting out alive. This chance also comes with the risk of the Klowns being able to cocoon more humans and fill up the various stations even faster in order to trigger an early Klownpocalypse.

There are currently four unique maps from what I saw during my playtime, each with its own unique spawns and advantages. The forest map for example is quite easy to get lost in, but it is also extremely easy to hide in. Meanwhile, the other maps are easier to navigate, but have easier lines of sight for Klowns to be able to detect humans. Knowledge of the maps is key to capitalize on situations on both sides. Knowing where escape routes could spawn helps you to narrow down where to be or where you need to go.

Beyond finding the primary escape routes, knowledge of the maps can help last-minute humans track where the Terenzi Brothers could burst through with their ice cream truck to provide a last-ditch attempt to escape. This knowledge can also be used by Klowns to shut down any escape at all.

While all of this sounds like a lot to absorb for a game, the good thing about it is that Killer Klowns from Outer Space: The Game is not that serious. That is part of the reason why I stated that Killer Klowns from Outer Space is not the game that the asymmetrical horror genre wants, but it is the game that the asymmetrical horror genre needs. This is not a game that is geared towards the hard-core audience that sweats in every match of Dead by Daylight or for the gory thrill seekers that populate the Texas Chain Saw Massacre servers.

Killer Klowns from Outer Space: The Game is designed to be a relaxed asymmetrical horror experience that allows gamers to just have fun. A majority of the time that I have put into the game so far has made me laugh and experience joy with friends and strangers, which is rare in a genre that has primarily been defined by games that focus on sweating and exploiting various systems in order to gain maximum points.

I have run into a few try-hards here and there in Killer Klowns from Outer Space: The Game, but they have been too few to make it a prominent aspect. This is why I encourage everyone to give this game a try. It is by no means perfect, but it is the most fun that I have ever had in an asymmetrical horror game.

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Killer Klowns from Outer Space: The Game

$39.99

8.5

Score

8.5/10

Pros

• Fun Gameplay on Both Sides
• Great Teamwork Mechanics
• Very Little Downtime
• Amazing Soundtrack and Sound Effects
• Fun to Play Co-op and Solo

Cons

• Occasional Bugs
• Lack of Distinctive Human Archetypes