The new hack-and-slash Killsquad has been in Early Access on Steam since 2019 and finally celebrated its release at the end of October 2021. Since then, many good reviews have come in, praising especially the combat system.
What kind of game is it? Killsquad is a classic hack-and-slash from the Spanish indie developer Novarama and has a rather unusual setting.
The galaxy has lost its order, and the mega-corporations are hiring bounty hunters to restore it. You are one of these bounty hunters and thus part of the Killsquad.
- You can choose from 5 different classes, each with their own weapons and skills
- You slice through hordes of enemies in search of loot
- You can venture out alone or in co-op with up to 4 players
- More than 30 different missions await you on 5 different planets
- There are a total of 15 boss fights
- Killsquad features twin-stick controls
In terms of gameplay, it is strongly reminiscent of Diablo, while the setting and weapons are more akin to Destiny or another space game.
How is the game received? Killsquad was in Early Access for over 2 years and celebrated its release on October 21, 2021. The game costs 19.99 Euros on Steam.
Notably, the 301 reviews from the last 30 days are 80% and thus “very positive.” However, this was not always the case. At the start of Early Access in 2019, the reviews were only about 60% positive. Especially since the official release, the reviews have significantly increased.
Although the ARPG averages only 145 players and 587 simultaneous players at peak, it seems to be well-received by those actively playing Killsquad.
The YouTuber Thyworm also finds that Killsquad is a totally underrated ARPG and has summarized his opinion in a video with plenty of gameplay:
Praise for combat system and diverse missions, criticism of co-op
What do the positive voices say about Killsquad? The reviews especially praise the combat system:
- It is said to be very action-packed
- Requires quick reactions
- Strongly dependent on individual skill
- Errors are said to be severely punished by the game, which can quickly lead to death
The various missions are also praised. The user Brunoborne writes, “There are so many things to do regarding missions, leveling, quests, loot, and character development. The game is packed with cool content, cool ideas, and a variety of missions.”
YouTuber Thyworm also highlights the variety of missions. He talks about fighting bosses, escort quests, or collection quests for specific resources. There are also supposed to be random events, making the missions even more diverse.
Moreover, the ARPG is said to be grindy, but not as bad as some other titles in the genre.
What is criticized? The biggest point of criticism is that in co-op, the player who creates the game has the most fun with Killsquad. The other players in the group experience lags and issues with the damage indicator circle.
Additionally, missions are said to become easier when you travel with more players because the scaling is not ideal, and the ability to revive others is a significant advantage.
Moreover, there are still some bugs, such as an infinite death loop, preventing you from being revived by your teammates. Performance is also noted as a point of criticism by some, with some players unable to exceed 15 FPS.
Nevertheless, Killsquad generally receives very positive feedback in reviews. So, if you are waiting for a new hack-and-slash like Diablo, you could have fun with this game. If you are looking for more alternatives, you will find them here:
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