Team17 brings out another killer hit with Killer Frequency to release soon.
Team17, a British game developer and publisher, are putting the final touches to their interactive horror puzzle game, Killer Frequency. They are responsible for fun-to-play games such as Overcooked and Dredge. The game is set to release on the 1st of June 2023. Killer Frequency is a first-person horror game where there are far more twists than you would expect, with looks that will remind you of Five Nights at Freddie’s and a story that gives you the same feel as Nightmare on Elm Street; you’re in for a treat. The town is attacked by a killer who has been dead for over 30 years. The Whistling Man is back and he wants his revenge.
Take on the role of Forrest Nash, a Radio DJ who took up a job in Gallows Creek, entirely not of his own choice. Nash Works the nighttime slot at KFAM, which is called The Scream. Of course, he’s not the only one working at KFAM late at night, and he also has his enthusiastic producer Peggy. She’ll help you figure things out along the way and can be the comedic relief to make it seem less scary.
One night while working, Nash gets the unfortunate opportunity to see how a 911 operator works. While waiting for callers to call in for a competition, he gets an unexpected caller. The caller is Leslie, the town’s 911 operator. Nash’s responses can either be believing her or being slightly sarcastic. In the beginning, he believes it’s just one big prank, but as the call wears on he realizes it isn’t a prank and there could very well be a dead killer roaming the streets of Gallows Creek.
Leslie leaves the town to get help, but with nobody else to be able to handle the 911 phone lines as she can, she turns to Forrest Nash. This introduces the first mechanic, and you have to strike a balance between being a 911 operator and hosting the radio show, all while saving the lives of a variety of different residents from the dubious safety of the radio station. From setting up music for listeners to running around the building and finding hidden items to help you aid those being stalked by the killer.
Most of the gameplay takes place within the DJ’s booth. Some of your tools include a turn table for you to be able to play music for your listeners. Although when you start, your box of records is only half full, it seems like the staff likes to keep the records they like, so keep an eye out for them as you unlock new areas of the studio. The music is all in 80s electronic style which adds to the retro feel of the game.
You also have 3 buttons on the leftmost side of the soundboard; these are your call buttons. The first two are for callers calling into the station, and the last one is for Forrest to call Peggy. Your sound sliders are important as it allows you to manage how loud everything is. The last buttons on your board are all different sounds; while they don’t do anything story-wise, they can spice up any conversation you have.
Your next tool is your tape player. This is important as you can either play paid ads for the station or listen to tapes that give you a clue on how to help out your current caller. From restaurant ads to even an ad for someone running for office, it has it all. Littered around are also magazines you can use to learn tricks to help out the callers, like for example, how to hotwire a car.
You will need to be quick and keep your mind sharp when dealing with the puzzles, as every choice has a consequence. Some just waste time, while others could lead to a bad end for your caller. The preview of Killer Frequency features 3 callers, each with their unique problems and different difficulties in terms of the puzzles presented to you. Getting the choices right helps your caller escape the killer. In Killer Frequency, you have to keep track of the info you get from the caller to solve the puzzles, don’t worry too much if you forget; Peggy is only one call away to help remind you of your task.
Killer Frequency combines a 1980s technological feel with a Retro aesthetic. The rooms are lit in a way that gives the building you are working in a dark feel, as if something can jump out at you at any moment. The ambient music also changes as you move around the studio to either explore or grab items that are needed for figuring out a puzzle. This gives the game the feeling that even though you have moved to other parts of the studio, there is a sense of urgency to get back.
While Killer Frequency can seem to fall short in appearance, the dark style fits in with the theme of the game. The 80s were all about neon lights and dulled colours that were usually blended to give an over-the-top look to buildings and sometimes people. While you can’t see the appearance of the characters, the design of KFAM’s building is just what the 80s ordered and more so.
The animations are smooth, and the designs are well done. From lighting to shading, everything was accounted for in this nighttime radio talk show. Each room you unlock has been done well in the game’s 80s theme, making it feel as if you did step back in time.
The voice acting of the characters in Killer Frequency gives you a connection to each of the characters as they portray the emotions and urgency of each caller along with Peggy and Nash as the night wears on. Each character has a connection to another, making the story and lore in-depth and intriguing. Whether it’s just chatting with Peggy or talking a caller through their situation or even the rare caller who just calls the station to get free advertisements, it’s extremely well done.
While just waiting at the booth can get a little boring in Killer Frequency, there are some forms of entertainment. There is a pile of paper on your desk, with some of it scrunched up. You will notice in the booth there is a hoop above a garbage can with the words ‘Killer Shot’. Getting a paper ball in there from the desk can be a little tricky, but your score does get kept if you pause the game. You’ll see how many paper balls you were able to land in the basket.
Killer Frequency is looking to be another big hit among Team17’s titles, from amazing voice acting to a highly intriguing storyline that keeps you coming back for more. The amazing ambient music and recorded music you play are well worth just spending a few minutes going through the tunes. From learning how to hotwire a car and Forrest Nash’s snarky responses, Killer Frequency’s release on the 1st of June on Steam is something to look forward to.
