Killer is Dead: Nightmare Edition

Grasshopper Manufacture · May 23, 2014

Mature

About

Get ready for some seriously stylish action from renowned designer SUDA51. In this exclusive version for PC, players will be slicing, dicing, and shooting as the suave executioner Mondo Zappa. Prepare for the thrill of love and kill in KILLER IS DEAD!

Trailers & screenshots

Scores by platform

PC

Critic 7.2 (6 critics) · Gamer 7.7

Critic reviews

PC Gamer
Andy Kelly · May 30, 2014
4.5
There's such a sharp contrast between the wildly imaginative art and the tepid game underneath. The dull, ponderous cutscenes and indulgent interactive dream sequences—which are almost as bad as the ones in the first Max Payne—only make matters worse. The combat, as limited as it is, is the best thing about it. There's an enjoyable rhythm to the battles, and I love the feeling of evading an attack at the last second and responding with a tornado of slashes. But that's about as much praise as I can muster.
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Hardcore Gamer
Adam Beck · May 26, 2014
8.0
The unlocked frame rate and additional render resolutions are not something any gamer should have to go looking for in the project files, but once you get past that, you will be treated to an unreal experience. It helps that the controls to keyboard and mouse have transitioned perfectly, and the greater visual fidelity only helps to increase the magic that takes place on screen. It may be confusing and an outright crazy adventure, but it’s one that will have gamers readily engaged.
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USGamer
Mike Williams · Aug 30, 2013
4.0
The whole game can be polished off in ten hours. After that, the only replay value is in challenges and trying to get the highest grade in each level. Suda's creative vision oozes all over this title, but that doesn't save it from trite, boring gameplay that's been done better elsewhere. Add in an incoherent story and flat characters and you have a game that's only for Suda 51's hardcore fans.
PS Lifestyle
Daniel Bischoff · Aug 28, 2013
5.0
If you’re an experimental gamer who seeks out the weird and unusual, no matter how unintelligible it is, Killer Is Dead will be right up your alley. For everyone else, the game is bargain bin at best. Whether or not you believe the gameplay is sexist, you’ll loathe the total lack of rewarding gameplay in the gigolo missions. If you don’t mind those types of games, our score is sadly still the same – Killer Is Dead simply isn’t a very fun game to play.
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Push Square
Sammy Barker · Aug 27, 2013
5.0
A slice or six short of a solid recommendation, Killer Is Dead shows that Suda51’s schtick is swiftly running out of steam. The title’s sharp art style and snazzy soundtrack will no doubt lure you in, but the schlocky story and garish gigolo missions will leave you swatting at the air in regret. This is not a bad game, it’s just a boring one – and we never thought that we’d say that about a release that sees you chasing a tiger on a motorcycle.
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Destructoid
Chris Carter · Aug 27, 2013
7.0
In the end, you're left with a slightly quirky Japanese action game that felt like it could have come from any number of developers. The action isn't truly technical but it works, and the cast and narrative don't have that Suda quality charm, but they're interesting enough to compel you to keep playing. If you're a pure action fan, this is just another game to eat up -- for everyone else, there's not a whole lot for you to enjoy in Killer is Dead.
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