Killer Frequency is an interesting game, uses a strong and unique premise to guide its gameplay and storytelling. The game places players in the shoes of a radio DJ, who is tasked with operating the town’s 911 dispatch service after a serial killer known as the Whistling Man attacks the local police. This suspenseful adventure offers a unique blend of mystery, puzzle-solving, and intense decision-making. Rich with atmosphere and truly unique presentation, Killer Frequency certainly wins points for originality, but it’s claustrophobic gameplay might not appeal to everyone.
The game revolves around a once-famous radio DJ named Forrest who finds himself DJing the local radio in a small town called Gallows Creek. When the police are attacked by a mysterious and infamous killer, it’s up to Forrest to man the dispatch for a full night of terror as civilians in the town are attacked. The story is told through phone calls to the station and the horrible scenarios you must help the callers escape.
Killer Frequency successfully merges puzzle-solving and decision-making elements to create an interesting and immersive gameplay experience. As the 911 dispatcher with no police to dispatch, players must juggle multiple tasks to help callers survive attacks from the ominous whistling man. These puzzles and tasks usually come down to searching up information and making on the fly decisions, the consequences of which are not made readily apparent until later.
One of the earliest puzzles involves you helping the former police dispatcher escape the Whistling Man’s attack. Panicked and in immediate danger, the dispatcher looks to you to help her escape her situation. Depending on what weapon you tell her to pick up early on in the call, she may or may not escape the clutches of the Whistling Man later. This is just one example of how the game gives you decisions that matter, something a lot of games advertise but rarely execute on successfully.
The voice acting really, really sells it too. Whoever they got to voice Forrest Nash, the protagonist, legitimately sounds like a radio personality, down to being able to take on the inflections you might expect to hear a radio host speak in. I would be genuinely surprised if the voice actor doesn’t have any radio experience.
Peggy is great, too. Those two really are the stars of the show when it comes to the voice actors. With the callers, it can be hit or miss, leaning more on the hit side of things.
The setting of a radio station gives this game a unique feeling you don’t experience in many horror games. You feel detached from the horror, tucked away in a safe room almost where the only real terror lies in your ability to help others escape. The feeling of safety allows you to really soak in the terror of what’s happening on the other side of the phone.. until that danger eventually finds its way to you.
Of course, you are still the town’s primary radio DJ, and you still have DJ tasks to do between (trying) to save lives. The juxtaposition of Forrest’s ordinary responsibilities with the escalating terror around him adds layers of tension and raises the stakes, and at times makes you wonder if there really are killings going on or if you’re being pranked. It also allows for unique gameplay mechanics, such as using the radio equipment to communicate with other characters, but more often than not you’ll be pushing the laugh track button when you hear someone die.
The game markets itself as a horror comedy, and I can see that. Though a few jokes fall flat, its decently funny throughout without feeling forced; You feel like everything is just sort of happening, and the jokes that may come do so naturally. They certainly don’t weaken the tension, either, which is strong throughout.
My biggest criticism of the game lies in its biggest strength. Being confined to a radio desk and the duties of a radio host / 911 dispatcher is inherently super interesting, but it can lead to a serious lack of stimulation that can disengage a player in a snap. Maybe this was a problem unique to me, as I do have attention deficit disorder, but I found myself struggling to pay attention during a lot of the longer dialogue segments. At times, I knew what my answer to a problem was going to be before the caller even finished talking, and I would just fidget with things in the office until they were done.
That isn’t to say that the dialogue is boring or unengaging, just that the setting is inherently a bit claustrophobic and can make it hard for someone like me to keep attention on the tasks at hand. The characters are super interesting, and when an interesting segment grabs you, it grabs tight; It’s just in that space between where you don’t really know if you want to keep playing.
One part where I particularly had trouble paying attention was the game’s opening act, before and partially through the first phone call involving the killer. It is a lot of idle conversation and tutorials, and its in that moment where you really begin to realize how cramped that little radio station can feel. When I tried exploring the rest of the station, I discovered that I was hard-locked to this room and would be for a while.
If you can pay attention, however, you’re in for a treat. The voice acting in Killer Frequency is phenomenal, especially when it comes to protagonist Forrest Nash and his producer Peggy. The unique feeling you get playing as a radio personality is something few other games replicate, and the story that unfolds between rocking 80’s tracks is definitely something special.
The Final Word
Killer Frequency is a game with an interesting and unique concept and plenty of tension-filled, slightly comedic horror throughout. Anyone who’s a fan of radio-drama-type horror is in for a real treat with this title.
7
Killer Frequency was reviewed on the PC. Find more detailed looks at popular and upcoming titles in the Game Reviews section of our website! Killer Frequency is available on Steam, Switch, Playstation, Xbox, and the Oculus store.