John Carpenter’s Toxic Commando Review – Lost in the Horde

John Carpenter’s Toxic Commando Review

John Carpenter is a legend in the film industry. A pioneer in practical effects, he managed to create several iconic cinematic masterpieces that have been woven into the fabric of modern horror and science fiction, influencing generations of filmmakers. In addition to directing and writing, the visionary also composed the soundtracks for many of his films, crafting a signature style that is instantly recognizable. An advocate of video games, John has dabbled in the medium, working on F.E.A.R 3 and other projects, but none to the level of Toxic Commando. Not only does the title bear his name, but he also acts as a creative collaborator, contributing to the game’s story, setting and score. But will this be the project that translates his unmistakable voice into an interactive experience worthy of his legacy?

Set in the near future, a tech giant attempts to drill into the Earth’s core to harness a new, clean energy source. Unbeknownst to them, this futile effort unleashes the Sludge God, which spreads across the land, transforming people into monsters and the environment into a hellscape. You play as part of a ragtag group of criminals hired to clean up the mess and restore the world to its former glory. Infected with the virus, the mission turns from a job to a desperate attempt for survival.

Big Trouble…

Framed as an ’80s action movie, Toxic Commando aims to capture the over-the-top, relentless chaos that defined the era. Unfortunately, it fails to strike that fine balance, landing on the side of cringe rather than cool. The cast is conventional and lacks depth, making it difficult to form any real connection with the characters. One-liners from stars like Arnie and Sly are synonymous with the time and genre, adding humour to even the most intense sequences. The same approach is attempted here, but it simply doesn’t land. More could have been done to capture the ’80s vibe that the game so clearly targets; instead, it spirals into a familiar aesthetic shared by similar titles, losing the identity its promotional material promised.

Before taking on the horde of zombies, you must select a character and each has a special ability to support you on your quest. From the Medic, who can heal the squad, to Strike, who can unleash an electrical blast to wipe out a bunch of enemies at once, all of them have a specific skill to help you survive. A skill tree dedicated to each class allows you to improve your abilities on the battlefield; however, it takes a considerable amount of time to unlock.

They’re Everywhere!

Missions are housed in an open area. While the objective is clear, there are a number of optional tasks dotted around the map that will support you with the task at hand. The sheer volume of enemies lurking makes traveling on foot unwise. As a result, you must acquire a vehicle as these are the safest way to move across the map. Speeding through and mowing down zombies never gets boring; however, you’ll need to keep an eye on fuel as running out in the middle of a horde is no joke! Sludge also drenches the roads, creating pockets that slow you down and halt your progress. Luckily, some vehicles have winches, which you can use to pull yourself out of tricky situations and to destroy blockades.

Although the core gameplay remains consistent, mission objectives vary, adding a new layer to proceedings. In one scenario, your truck creates a safe zone, forcing you to stay close; otherwise, your health steadily depletes in the toxic air. In another, you must carry cargo to a key point but are unable to shoot while holding it, making you rely on your teammates for protection. While nothing groundbreaking, it adds enough variation to keep missions engaging.

Slaughtering zombies is at the heart of the experience. Due to Saber Interactive’s Horde technology, hundreds of zombies can appear on screen at once, making it easy to become overwhelmed. As a result, teamwork is vital, requiring you to coordinate with each other to complete the mission. Mission structures make strong use of the technology, often culminating in defence-style finales. While it’s exciting to experience these overwhelming battle conditions, they can become a little repetitive over time.

A Safe Bet

I was also a little disappointed with the lack of enemy variety. Suicidal zombies frantically race towards you, larger foes trudge through the area, and Lovecraftian-style tentacles fire beams from a distance; however, the tactic to defeat them remains largely the same. With clear inspiration drawn from Left 4 Dead, I would have liked to see a similar level of variety to heighten the tension of each encounter.

Weapons are plentiful, with a wide range of types to help you eliminate foes. Each gun features a variety of attachments, allowing you to upgrade your favourite. There’s also an individual levelling system for every weapon, which can discourage experimentation. While this does support replayability, levelling up each gun separately can feel a little tedious.

John Carpenter’s Toxic Commando is a fun, over-the-top co-operative shooter. The use of Saber’s Horde Engine creates thrilling moments where you face off against hundreds of bloodthirsty zombies at once. Although the game bears Carpenter’s name, it doesn’t fully capture his signature style and instead blends in with the many zombie shooters currently available. If you’re looking to scratch that Left 4 Dead itch, this will suffice; however, it ultimately blends into the horde it’s trying to outgun.

***PS5 code provided by the publisher for review***