Killer is Dead - Nightmare Edition
Overview -
Goichi Suda (better known as Suda51) is a strange developer. In the West he is best known for 'Killer7', an unusual title that was full of crazy messages to read into and absurdities to marvel at. Since 'Killer7', his name has been attached to many projects coming from the studio he founded, including 'No More Heroes' and 'Lollipop Chainsaw'. In 2013, Suda51 released 'Killer Is Dead' to the PS3 and 360 in the West, and although it does feature the man's unusual flair, it is not a sequel to the cult classic 'Killer7'. Now, the 'Nightmare Edition' comes to the PC as exclusive with some new features, hoping to garner for favor with fans of the quirky and different.
Video Review
If there's one thing that really stands out about 'Killer Is Dead', it is its visual flair. Every episode starts with a highly stylized intro, followed by a cartoony, almost pleasant retelling of the client's dilemma that Mondo must resolve. Then, it's off to the assassination target's location, which could be anything from a demented house to a music company to the moon itself. Almost every place has a distinct feel to it, feeling like it could be something coming from our own world slightly in the future, but still feeling rather alien and surreal.
Much of the story in 'Killer Is Dead' is a bit understated, but the visuals really help to emphasize certain aspects and themes and are nearly better at telling a story than any other aspect. The impressive art direction is a marvel and makes for the most compelling reason to play the game. Naturally, the art direction comes through best on a more powerfully PC, but even on lesser PCs, the graphics still look great.
Audio Review
Overall, 'Killer Is Dead's' soundtrack is pretty good, but compared to the stunning graphics it tends to get lost in the shuffle. The music and sound effects are rather fitting for the game, fitting the 'believable yet surreal' aspect of the title. The biggest fault of the soundtrack is how it tends to get mostly drown out by the sounds of constant battle.
The English and Japanese voice tracks are also well done. No actor's performance feels out of place for any character they voiced, even if the characters themselves feel a bit weird in terms of the plot. Mondo's English voice actor in particular fits his role as the hard assassin very well, making the English track preferable on its own.
Final Thoughts
There is an audience out there for 'Killer Is Dead', certainly; but that audience is only going to be the most diehard fans of Suda51's work. The game is wrapped up with a wonderful art style and some good voice work and music, but the stilted, nonsensical storytelling is bound to drive away a lot of the audience that would care to enjoy it. Add in the repetitive nature of battling, which only really shines during certain bosses, and 'Killer is Dead' can be both too monotonous and spontaneous to fully enjoy. Unless you're a huge fan of the likes of Suda51's laster action titles, stay away from 'Killer Is Dead.'