Check out our review of Kill Knight, the twin-stick shooter from PlaySide Studios…
We’ll take a look at the gameplay, the visuals and story to reveal whether you should check it out this Halloween.
Transcript
Hey, Halloween’s just around the corner; the time for all things spooky and/or ooky. But while it’s my favourite time of year, I’m also a big baby when it comes to scary games, so can’t play anything too intense without needing a couple of hours of Animal Crossing to calm me down.
So that’s why I was hoping Kill Knight would let me get all dark, broody and bloody, but with more action than pants-crap-tion. I’m so sorry.
Developed by PlaySide Studios, the same team that brought us Age of Darkness: Final Stand, this top-down, twin-stick shooter throws you headfirst into a relentless abyss of eldritch horrors, where your only purpose is to slash, shoot, and survive. Simple, right? Think again.
You’re a once-loyal knight, betrayed and banished to the Abyss, now resurrected as a desecrated corpse encased in reanimated armour. You’re branded the “Kill Knight,” and your one job (because apparently, you didn’t have enough to deal with) is to kill the Last Angel. So, yeah, no pressure.
With retro, neon-drenched aesthetics and the promise of brutal, arcade-style gameplay, will it be a trick or a treat this October? Watch on to find out…
Starting with the gameplay, the combat in Kill Knight is its biggest selling point, and boy, does it deliver. You’re armed with a variety of weapons—like twin pistols, a shotgun, a sword—that offer you multiple ways to slaughter your enemies. You’ve also got active reload at your disposal, allowing you to chain combos of carnage that’d even make Doom Guy blush.
The game’s fluidity and quick pacing keep you constantly engaged, rewarding aggressive playstyles where dodging, shooting, and slashing are part of a rhythm that feels immensely satisfying.
The game also shines with its constant minute-to-minute decision-making. You’re not just mashing buttons; you have to think about when to use your special attacks, when to parry, and when to reload. Using different weapons also gives you certain items and abilities, meaning you won’t be able to stick with one strategy for long. This keeps you on your toes, and forces a scrub like me to get good.
And get good, you must do. The difficulty spikes are rough. The game thrives on making you feel like you’re always just one dodge away from disaster, which makes every victory feel that much more rewarding.
While some of you might like this challenge, others (like me) may find it overwhelming. The game rarely gives you a breather, and the sheer volume of enemies can feel suffocating at times. Elites and bosses, especially, require precise strategy and timing, and it’s easy to feel outmatched. There are 3 difficulty options to choose from, but don’t expect an easy ride on any of them. And if you’re able to master the top difficulty, I’ll assume you’re also able to perform open-heart surgery, because that’s some mad precision.
And while the game nails the arcade shooter vibe, the lack of a more engaging progression system was a bit underwhelming. While there are weapon upgrades and challenges to unlock, they don’t drastically change the gameplay. After a few hours, the thrill of gunning down demons may start to wear thin if you’re not already bought in.
But if and when you’re bought in, Kill Knight offers plenty of replay value, especially if you love chasing high scores. The global leaderboards are a great addition, allowing you to compete against friends and other players worldwide. This, combined with the game’s Master Mode—an extended challenge mode where you tackle all five levels in one go—adds plenty of incentive for a cheeky replay.
Visually, Kill Knight… well, kills it. The neon-lit environments and isometric view create a gothic, eerie atmosphere that feels like a throwback to classic 90s arcade games. I swear they even slapped on a grainy filter to make it look even more authentically retro. The minimalist style is both visually striking and functional, keeping the focus on the action while still offering enough eye candy to keep you immersed in the world. Think if Hades and classic Doom had a baby. And head to Deviantart if you want to find out how such a baby might’ve been made.
The only thing I will say is that the arenas, while well-designed, don’t offer a massive amount of visual variety, and the colour palette tends to stick within a narrow range. After a while, things did start to feel a bit repetitive and a little blended together. Nothing was bad, and maybe I’m being greedy but I guess I was just looking for a bit… more?
But what I can’t fault is the soundtrack and sound design, which are both outstanding. Each weapon has a satisfying punch to it, from the heavy thud of the shotgun to the swift slashes of the sword. The soundtrack ramps up alongside the gameplay, and when you’re in the thick of the later stages, it really adds to the white-knuckle stress. In a good way.
But if you’re looking for a meaty story to sink your teeth into, Kill Knight isn’t the game for you. Yet, this isn’t a bad thing. The narrative in Kill Knight is intentionally minimalist. You’re a fallen knight, cast into the Abyss, and your sole mission is to kill the Last Angel. That’s pretty much it. The lack of an in-depth story actually works to the game’s advantage, as it allows the gameplay to take centre stage, without over lengthy cutscenes or dialogue.
While I do love my lore and world building, it’s nice to have something that I can pick up and play in short bursts without having to read 40,000 codex entries.
Overall, Kill Knight is a visceral, pulse-pounding experience that knows exactly what it wants to be. It’s the closest I’ve felt in a while to the nostalgic feeling of being in a musty arcade, sinking coins into something I know is too hard for me, but I can’t stop playing. The combat is fast and brutal, the visuals are stunning in their minimalist way, and the competitive edge of the leaderboards keeps you coming back for more.
It won’t be for everyone, but what game is? If you’re a fan of the likes of Hades, Doom, or just want a dark power fantasy this Halloween, I’d definitely recommend checking it out.
But what did you think of Kill Knight? Please let me know in the comments below, I’d love to read your thoughts. And while you’re down there, don’t forget to like and subscribe for plenty more on all things gaming, check out our movie channel UDS Films, or you can always visit upsidedownshark.com to keep up with everything else we’ve got going on.
Until then my name is Tom, this has been UDS, and we’ll see you next time.
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Tom Baker
I like Star Wars, heavy metal and BBQ Pringles.
