John Carpenter's Toxic Commando Review: A Competent but Uninspired Co-op Shooter
If you are a fan of classic 80s horror and sci-fi cinema, the name John Carpenter likely evokes memories of iconic films like Halloween, The Thing, and Escape from New York. The acclaimed director, now 78, has not released a new movie in over a decade but remains active in music, having composed soundtracks for many of his works. Lesser known is his passion for video games, though his favorite titles—such as Sonic Unleashed and Fallout 76—might raise eyebrows. This background sets the stage for Toxic Commando, a new co-op shooter developed by Saber Interactive, known for Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2.
John Carpenter's Involvement: More Myth Than Reality?
Despite Carpenter's gaming enthusiasm, his direct industry contributions have been sparse. He consulted on and narrated F.E.A.R. 3 in 2011 and composed the soundtrack for 1998's Sentinel Returns. For Toxic Commando, he is credited with the story and music, but the extent of his involvement is questionable. The script, which he did not write, is described as awful, and beyond the soundtrack, there is little evidence of his creative touch. This disconnect is puzzling, given his filmography and gaming interests, leading to doubts about whether this project truly reflects his vision.
Gameplay and Mechanics: A Throwback to the Xbox 360 Era
Toxic Commando is a straightforward Left 4 Dead-style co-op shooter that feels dated, reminiscent of late-era Xbox 360 games. The plot involves drilling into the Earth's core, unleashing a Sludge God that turns people into zombies, and a team of four mercenaries tasked with stopping it. Mission objectives vary, often focusing on destroying sludge roots and surviving timed sieges against hordes of zombies, comparable in scale to Days Gone. Players can use defenses like electric fences and machinegun turrets, though collecting repair items is frustratingly rare.
The gunplay is solid, with fun weapons to use against undead hordes, but lacks sci-fi innovation. Vehicles add variety, including military options with turrets and civilian cars that can be rigged to explode. Levels are small open worlds with collectibles like in-game currency for upgrades between missions. Four class types are available—such as a medic or drone user—but skill trees are unexciting, with abilities that last only seconds and have long cooldowns.
Presentation and Value: Mid-Budget Competence
Graphically, Toxic Commando impresses for its mid-budget price, with a monochrome color scheme and detailed environments. The music, likely Carpenter's main contribution, stands out as a highlight. However, the game suffers from a short length, terrible script, and a lack of new ideas. It is playable solo, though AI companions are ineffective at objectives but competent in combat. Priced at £34.99, it offers a sensible diversion for co-op enthusiasts but falls short of must-buy status.
Verdict: A Missed Opportunity
In summary, Toxic Commando is a competent but unoriginal co-op shooter that fails to leverage John Carpenter's talents effectively. While it provides fun moments in sieges and solid gunplay, it feels like a game out of time, patched together from older concepts. On the scale of Carpenter's work, it does not reach the lows of Ghosts Of Mars but falls well below classics like In the Mouth of Madness. For those seeking a new co-op experience with friends, it is a passable option, but it ultimately wastes the potential of its iconic association.
Score: 7/10
Formats: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC
Price: £34.99
Publisher: Focus Entertainment
Developer: Saber Interactive
Release Date: 12th March 2026
Age Rating: 18
