Killer Frequency

{{Infobox video game

| title = Killer Frequency

| image = Killer Frequency cover.jpg

| caption =

| developer = Team17

| publisher = Team17

| director =

| producer = Christoper Chester

| designer = {{ubl|Harry Scholefield|Matt Houghton|John Lappin|Jack Wilson|Gavin Hood}}

| programmer = {{ubl|Niklas Hansson|Andrew MacKinnon|Laurie Dobson}}

| artist =

| writer = {{ubl|Harry Scholefield|Matt Houghton|John Lappin|Jack Wilson|Cash DeCuir}}

| composer = {{ubl|Conor Tissington|Danny Hey}}

| engine = Unity{{cite web|url=https://blog.unity.com/news/made-with-unity-monthly-april-2023-roundup|title=Made with Unity Monthly: June 2023 roundup|website=Unity|date=2023-06-07|access-date=2023-06-07}}

| platforms = {{ubl|Meta Quest 2|Windows|PlayStation 5|Xbox Series X/S|PlayStation 4|Xbox One|Nintendo Switch}}

| released = {{vgrelease|WW|June 1, 2023}}

| genre = First-person horror, adventure

| modes = Single-player

}}

Killer Frequency is a 2023 first-person horror-adventure game developed and published by Team17. The game takes place in a small town in 1987, where players control a DJ who acts as an impromptu radio dispatcher when a serial killer returns to terrorize the town's residents. The player must take calls from the survivors and solve various puzzles to help them escape the killer. It received mostly positive reviews from critics, who praised its gameplay and comedy horror elements.

Overview

Killer Frequency is a first-person adventure game with murder mystery elements.{{Cite web |last=Tailby |first=Stephen |date=2023-06-01 |title=Review: Killer Frequency (PS5) - An Intriguing Call-in Murder Mystery |url=https://www.pushsquare.com/reviews/ps5/killer-frequency |access-date=2023-07-18 |website=Push Square |language=en-GB}} The game takes place in 1987,{{Cite web |last=Davidson |first=Amy |date=2020-11-13 |title=Killer Frequency Is a Free Radio Show Simulator Where Callers' Lives Are on the Line |url=https://www.escapistmagazine.com/killer-frequency-is-a-free-radio-show-simulator-where-callers-lives-are-on-the-line/ |access-date=2023-07-18 |website=The Escapist |language=en-US}} and its aesthetics are heavily based on 1980s nostalgia, including neon color palettes and a wood paneled environment.{{Cite web |last=Cervantes |first=Reyna |date=2023-06-12 |title='Killer Frequency' Review – Unique Slasher Experience Delivers a Retro Good Time |url=https://bloody-disgusting.com/video-games/3765673/killer-frequency-review-unique-slasher-experience-delivers-a-retro-good-time/ |access-date=2023-07-18 |website=Bloody Disgusting! |language=en-US}} The art style has been described as reminiscent of cell-shaded animation.{{Cite web |date=2023-06-01 |title=Killer Frequency Review (PS5) - 80s DJ Horror Leaves Us Radio Ga Ga |url=https://www.psu.com/reviews/killer-frequency-review-ps5/ |access-date=2023-07-18 |website=PlayStation Universe |language=en-US}} The plot is inspired by slasher films, and the game includes references to numerous horror films including The Fog, Friday the 13th, and the Scream franchise.{{Cite web |date=2023-06-12 |title=9 Horror Movie References In Killer Frequency |url=https://www.thegamer.com/killer-frequency-horror-movie-references-easter-eggs/ |access-date=2023-07-18 |website=TheGamer |language=en}}

Players take the role of Forrest Nash (Josh Cowdery),{{Cite web |last=Jesus |first=Brendan |date=2023-06-13 |title=Anything You Say Can And Will Be Broadcast In Killer Frequency |url=https://horrorobsessive.com/2023/06/13/anything-you-say-can-and-will-be-broadcast-in-killer-frequency/ |access-date=2023-07-19 |website=Horror Obsessive |language=en-US}} a formerly popular DJ and radio host from Chicago who relocated to the small town of Gallows Creek after his career declined.{{Cite web |last=Seagrave |first=Richard |date=2023-06-02 |title=Killer Frequency Review |url=https://www.gamespew.com/2023/06/killer-frequency-review/ |access-date=2023-07-18 |website=GameSpew |language=en-GB}} Forrest must become an impromptu dispatcher when The Whistling Man, a serial killer, returns to terrorize the town thirty years after his supposed death.{{Cite web |date=2023-06-01 |title=Killer Frequency VR Review: Charmed by the Spirit of Small-Town Radio |url=https://www.uploadvr.com/killer-frequency-review/ |access-date=2023-07-18 |website=UploadVR |language=en}}

Throughout the game, the player character takes calls from victims of the slasher and instructs them on how to escape by solving puzzles and problems that they face. Players must successfully complete these puzzles using clues and information found around the studio to prevent the victims from being killed.{{Cite web |date=2023-06-12 |title="A clever slasher puzzler that is well worth the time": Screen Rant's Killer Frequency review. |url=https://screenrant.com/killer-frequency-switch-review/ |access-date=2023-07-18 |website=ScreenRant |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2023-06-07 |title=Killer Frequency Review - Holding The Line |url=https://www.gameshub.com/news/reviews/killer-frequency-game-review-nintendo-switch-pc-playstation-xbox-2618487/ |access-date=2023-07-18 |website=www.gameshub.com |language=en-AU}} Aaron Riccio of Slant Magazine described its mechanics as "sort of reverse escape room where you provide the vital hints to help others get out alive."{{Cite web |last=Riccio |first=Aaron |date=2023-06-01 |title='Killer Frequency' Review: A Golden Oldie |url=https://www.slantmagazine.com/games/killer-frequency-review/ |access-date=2023-07-18 |website=Slant Magazine |language=en-US}} The survival of the victims and outcome of the game is dependent on the player's choices and ability to solve these puzzles.

Development

The game was Team17's first virtual reality game.{{Cite web |last=Bailey |first=Kat |date=2022-06-09 |title=Upload VR Showcase June 2022: Everything Announced, Including More Among US VR Gameplay |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/upload-vr-showcase-june-2022-everything-announced |access-date=2023-07-18 |website=IGN |language=en}} On June 1, 2023, the game was released on PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and Series S, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch and Quest 2.{{Cite web |last=Wilson |first=Mike |date=2023-04-13 |title='Killer Frequency' Sees a June 1 Release for PC and Consoles [Trailer] |url=https://bloody-disgusting.com/video-games/3758157/killer-frequency-sees-a-june-1-release-for-pc-and-consoles-trailer/ |access-date=2023-07-18 |website=Bloody Disgusting! |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2023-04-12 |title=Killer Frequency launches June 1 for PS5, Xbox Series, PS4, Xbox One, Switch, PC, and Quest 2 |url=https://www.gematsu.com/2023/04/killer-frequency-launches-june-1-for-ps5-xbox-series-ps4-xbox-one-switch-pc-and-quest-2 |access-date=2023-07-18 |website=Gematsu |language=en-US}}

Reception

Killer Frequency received "generally favorable" reviews, according to review aggregator website Metacritic.{{Cite web |title=Killer Frequency |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/killer-frequency/critic-reviews/?platform=pc |access-date=2023-07-18 |website=Metacritic |language=en}} Critics praised the game's balance of tension and campy, comedy horror. Softpedia awarded the game 4 out of 5 stars, praising the quality of its voice acting and gameplay, but criticizing the final act as being "rushed".{{Cite web |title=Killer Frequency Review (PC) |url=https://www.softpedia.com/reviews/games/pc/killer-frequency-review-537277.shtml |website=Softpedia|date=June 2023 }} Reyna Cervantes of Bloody Disgusting praised the game's use of the slasher genre, comparing it favorably to horror films such as The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2. Rachel Watts, writing for Rock Paper Shotgun, praised Killer Frequency's gameplay and puzzle elements.{{Cite news |last=Watts |first=Rachel |date=2023-06-23 |title=Play as a radio DJ whose callers are being murdered live on air in Killer Frequency |language=en |work=Rock, Paper, Shotgun |url=https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/play-as-a-radio-dj-whose-callers-are-being-murdered-live-on-air-in-killer-frequency |access-date=2023-07-18}}