Check out this video before you start playing Kill Knight | Review of Kill Knight

View this video prior to playing Kill Knight | Review of Kill Knight

Take a look at our evaluation of Kill Knight, the dual analog shooter developed by PlaySide Studios…

We will examine the gameplay, visuals, and story to determine if you should give it a try this Halloween.

Hey, Halloween is approaching; the season for everything eerie and/or creepy. Although it’s my preferred season, I am quite sensitive to scary games and require some Animal Crossing to unwind after playing anything too intense.

That’s why I was hoping Kill Knight would allow me to become dark, broody, and bloody, but with more action than fear. I apologize.

Created by PlaySide Studios, the team behind Age of Darkness: Final Stand, this twin-stick shooter plunges you into a never-ending pit of terrifying eldritch creatures, where your sole mission is to fight, shoot, and stay alive. Easy, isn’t it? Reconsider your thoughts.

You are a knight who was once loyal but was betrayed and sent to the Abyss. Now you have been resurrected as a desecrated corpse wearing reanimated armor. You are known as the “Kill Knight” and your sole responsibility is to eliminate the Last Angel, as if you didn’t already have enough on your plate. So, um, no need to worry.

This October, will it be a delight or a disappointment with its vintage, neon-filled visuals and challenging arcade gameplay? Continue watching to discover…

Beginning with the gameplay, the combat system in Kill Knight is its most impressive feature, and it certainly lives up to expectations. Equipped with a range of weapons such as dual pistols, a shotgun, and a sword, you have different options to defeat your foes. You also have the option of using active reload, enabling you to unleash combos of chaos that would even impress Doom Guy.

The game’s smoothness and fast pace ensure continuous engagement, favoring aggressive gameplay that involves dodging, shooting, and slashing in a satisfying rhythm.

The game also impresses with its continuous decision-making throughout every minute. You’re not just mindlessly pressing buttons; you need to strategize when to utilize your special moves, when to deflect, and when to replenish ammo. Using various arms also grants you specific items and skills, so you cannot rely on a single tactic for an extended period. This makes you stay alert and compels someone like me who is inexperienced to improve.

To succeed, you must put in the effort. The difficulty increases are challenging. The game excels in giving you the constant sense that disaster is always just around the corner, leading to a more satisfying feeling with each victory.

While some people may enjoy this challenge, others (such as myself) may feel overwhelmed by it. The game seldom allows for a break, and the overwhelming amount of enemies can feel stifling occasionally. Elites and supervisors, in particular, demand accurate planning and timing, and it’s simple to feel overwhelmed. There are three levels of difficulty available, but none of them offer a simple experience.

Although the game successfully captures the essence of an arcade shooter, the absence of a more captivating progression system was somewhat disappointing. While there are enhancements for weapons and challenges to open up, they do not significantly alter the way the game is played. After a couple of hours, the excitement of defeating demons might begin to diminish if you’re not fully engaged.

However, once you’re committed, Kill Knight provides a lot of replayability, particularly if you enjoy competing for high scores. The addition of global leaderboards enables you to compete with friends and players from around the world. This, along with the game’s Master Mode—a more challenging mode where you complete all five levels at once—provides great motivation for a playful replay.

Kill Knight excels visually. The eerie atmosphere, reminiscent of classic 90s arcade games, is brought to life through neon-lit settings and an isometric view. I promise they even added a grainy filter to give it a more authentic retro appearance. The minimalist design is visually appealing and practical, directing attention to the activity while providing enough visual appeal to keep viewers engaged in the universe. Imagine the offspring of Hades and the original Doom game. If you’re curious about how a baby like that could have been created, check out Deviantart.

The sole comment I have is that the arenas, although well-crafted, lack a wide range of visuals, and the color scheme remains limited. Eventually, things began to seem somewhat monotonous and slightly merged. Nothing was negative, and perhaps I’m being selfish, but I suppose I was simply searching for a little extra?

However, I cannot criticize the soundtrack and sound design, as they are both exceptional. Every weapon delivers a strong impact, from the powerful blast of the shotgun to the quick cuts of the sword. The music intensifies as you progress through the game, and during the more challenging levels, it heightens the intense pressure. In a positive manner.

However, if you want a substantial narrative to really engage with, Kill Knight may not be the right choice. However, this is not a negative outcome. The story in Kill Knight is purposely kept simple. You are a knight who has fallen and been thrown into the Abyss, with the only goal being to defeat the Last Angel. That’s about all there is. The game benefits from not having a detailed story because it puts the focus on gameplay instead of long cutscenes or dialogue.

 Although I enjoy in-depth lore and world building, I also appreciate being able to play something quickly without needing to read numerous codex entries.

In essence, Kill Knight is a thrilling, heart-pounding adventure that has a clear direction. I haven’t felt this connected to the nostalgia of being in a dusty arcade and playing a challenging game in a long time. The fighting is rapid and ruthless, the graphics are impressive in their simple style, and the competitive aspect of the rankings motivates you to play again.

Not every game will appeal to everyone, but then again, what game does? If you enjoy games like Hades or Doom, or are in the mood for a dark power fantasy this Halloween, I highly suggest giving it a try.

What were your thoughts on Kill Knight? Kindly inform me in the comments section, I’m eager to hear your opinions. Also, make sure to hit the like and subscribe buttons for more gaming content, explore our movie channel UDS Films, or visit upsidedownshark.com to stay updated on other activities.

Until that moment I go by Tom, this is UDS, and we’ll meet again in the future.