You can almost smell the VHS tape and cheap popcorn just looking at this roster.
By Jon Scarr
Saber Interactive has a very specific set of skills. They know how to make massive swarms of enemies look terrifying, and they know how to make driving through mud a genuine struggle. John Carpenter’s Toxic Commando is where those two worlds finally collide.
It's an over-the-top, gory, and unapologetically silly shooter that puts you in the middle of a supernatural apocalypse. It doesn't try to be the next big evolution of the genre, but it offers a heavy, tactile feel that pokes its head above the crowded field of Left 4 Dead clones.
John Carpenter's Toxic Commando Details
Platform: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC
Reviewed on: PlayStation 5
Developer: Saber Interactive
Publisher: Focus Entertainment
Genre: First-Person Shooter / Action
Game Modes: Single-player, Online co-op
The VHS Era Vibes Are Real
The whole vibe matches something you would find on a dusty VHS box at a 1980s rental shop. You've got this billionaire scientist who accidentally opens a hole into a necrotic dimension, letting the "Sludge God" out to play. The world starts turning into a gooey, crystal-covered nightmare, and you're part of a mercenary crew sent in to fix the problem with a chemical cure. The characters are exactly the kind of loud-mouthed tropes you'd expect, constantly throwing out quips and bickering while the world ends around them.
John Carpenter didn't just slap his name on this; his influence is baked into the music and the general grit of the world. Those synth-heavy tracks hit that perfect 80s nostalgia button for me, keeping the energy high even when things get messy. It's not trying to tell a deep or emotional story. You're just there to blast through waves of mutants and look cool doing it. The campaign is about seven hours long, which feels just right for this kind of campy, high-octane ride.
Fighting the Mutant Wall
Teamwork is a big deal here because of how the classes work. You've got the Defender, Strike, Operator, and Medic, and their powers genuinely save a run. I spent a lot of time with the Operator because their drone revives you from a distance, which is a lifesaver when you're pinned down. The guns are heavy and punchy, and you'll find yourself levelling them up naturally just by sticking with your favourites.
What separates the game is the engine Saber uses for the hordes. If you've played World War Z, you know exactly what I mean. Seeing hundreds of mutants climbing over each other to reach your position is genuinely stressful. You aren't just fighting basic zombies either. You've got special mutants like the Slob, who acts as a walking tank, and the Stalker, who forces you to watch your back. The final stand at the end of each mission turns into a frantic building moment where you're slapping down turrets and barbed wire to hold the line.
Heavy Trucks and Off-Road Physics
The driving is what makes this game different from every other shooter I've played lately. Saber Interactive took their off-road physics and dropped them right into the apocalypse. The maps are huge, and you'll spend plenty of time behind the wheel of armoured trucks. These vehicles are moving fortresses that carry your gear and mount your big guns, but they aren't magic.
The terrain is a constant threat. I found myself getting stuck in deep mud more than once, which is when the winch setup comes into play. You have to physically hook your truck to a tree or a rock to pull yourself out while the rest of your team fends off the swarm. It adds a layer of tension that most shooters just skip over. Managing your fuel and making sure the truck doesn't fall apart becomes its own little game within the game.
PS5 Performance and Visual Grime
The game runs at a steady 30fps on the PlayStation 5. I know a lot of us usually look for 60fps, but the frame rate stays consistent even when there are hundreds of enemies on the screen. The world is dripping with grit, from the dark, foggy woods to the crumbling industrial zones. Everything is covered in this glowing red "Sludge" that looks great, even if the world itself is supposed to be a disaster.
The audio is where the Carpenter influence really shines. The weapon sounds are loud and punchy, and the creature screams keep you on edge. But it's that synthwave soundtrack that really carries the experience. It makes every fight a scene from a movie I would have watched on repeat in the 80s. Saber Interactive knew exactly what kind of vibe they were going for, and they nailed it without trying to overcomplicate things with unnecessary bits.
John Carpenter’s Toxic Commando Is a Grimy Blast From the Past
It's refreshing to see a game that's this comfortable being a bit silly. It isn't trying to reinvent the shooter genre, but the mix of punchy combat and heavy-duty vehicle play gives it a personality of its own. The missions start to look a little similar after a few hours, and I wish the weapon grind was a bit faster. But when you're in a full squad, none of that really matters.
If you grew up on 80s horror and want a co-op game that plays in a physical, tactile way, this is an easy pick. It's a loud, gory, and synth-soaked trip that respects your time. Toxic Commando reminds me why I loved these kinds of games in the first place; it's just pure, unadulterated fun with a group of friends.
John Carpenter's Toxic Commando Review Summary
Liked
- Unique mix of off-road vehicle physics and horde shooting
- Authentic John Carpenter synth soundtrack
- Massive enemy counts that stay steady on PS5
- Unapologetically campy 80s aesthetic
Didn't Like
- Locked at 30fps
- Mission variety starts to thin out in the second half
- Weapon upgrade path is a bit of a grind
Overall Assessment of John Carpenter's Toxic Commando
Gameplay: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4 / 5)
Presentation: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4 / 5)
Performance: ⭐⭐⭐✨☆ (3.5 / 5)
Story / Narrative: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆ (3 / 5)
Fun Factor: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4 / 5)
Overall Value: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4 / 5)
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