Toxic Commando HANDS-ON PREVIEW – The Co-Op Shooter That I Wanted

by

During Gamescom 2025, Focus Entertainment graciously extended an invitation for us to experience the cooperative shooter, John Carpenter’s Toxic Commando, which was masterfully crafted by Saber Interactive.

If you’re unfamiliar with John Carpenter, it seems you might be a recluse living deep in the wilderness. He’s a highly revered figure in the world of horror films, having directed masterpieces such as Halloween, The Fog, and The Thing. You can clearly see his impact on Toxic Commando, with elements like group dialogue and dramatic cinematic scenes throughout the missions echoing his style.

The tale draws inspiration from ’80s horror movie classics, which should strike a chord with enthusiasts of series like Left 4 Dead and Killing Floor. In this game, a catastrophic laboratory accident summons the Sludge God onto our world. This monstrous deity then initiates a transformation process that poses a grave danger to all life on Earth.

The scientist brings in the Toxic Commandos, a group of experienced mercenaries who have been battle-tested and are now responsible for preventing an impending disaster, to help tidy up the chaos.

Toxic Commando Is Surprisingly Satisfying

While immersed in our gaming adventure, I found myself joined by three fellow media comrades. Remarkably, we managed to strategize effortlessly thanks to the seamless in-game voice communication. To my delight, the quality was nothing short of exceptional – crisp audio, zero interruptions, and a harmonious collaboration that made coordinating our moves feel like second nature.

In games similar to this, effective communication is crucial, and a dependable voice system can be a significant advantage. Our mission placed us in an expansive map with the aim of cleansing designated areas. Each Commando has a distinctive role, although during the demonstration we weren’t able to pick our roles. However, one teammate set up a protective dome, while my character created a healing field-each power seemed unique and valuable.

The expertise of Saber Interactive in Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 is evident right from the start. In various instances, we were inundated by colossal hordes of zombies, all fueled by Saber’s remarkable Swarm Engine. In Toxic Commando, you’ll have the opportunity to navigate using vehicles and manage crowds, introducing a level of movement and chaos to the gameplay.

In simpler terms, the gunfights are exciting and enjoyable due to the responsive and impactful weapon feel. Unlike some cooperative shooters, enemies don’t absorb an excessive amount of bullets (bullet sponges). The game’s open map design invites optional exploration, which is crucial for staying alive. When ammunition is scarce and enemies are approaching in large numbers, searching for supplies becomes a vital tactic.

Discussing the opposing forces, their diversity is impressive, consisting not just of common soldiers but also formidable elites who demand strategic teamwork to defeat.

At the peak of our operation, we faced the challenge of shielding a building against an onslaught of three gigantic waves of undead. Over 200 adversaries swarmed across the screen, attacking from various points, creating a palpable sense of anxiety. Fortunately, we synchronized our class skills effectively and emerged victorious.

Progression & Monetization

As a devoted admirer, I found myself engrossed in the gameplay demo without getting a chance to delve into the progression aspects. A friendly representative from Focus Entertainment shared some exciting news: players will have an opportunity to enhance both their character classes and weapons! Further insights about these advancement systems are on the horizon; we’ll learn more details later.

In my opinion as a fan, when it comes to monetization, there’s not much detailed information available yet. However, what I can gather is that the focus isn’t on forcing players to spend real money on cosmetics or similar items. Instead, it seems like Saber Interactive might adopt a strategy similar to Space Marine 2, where a battle pass offers cosmetic rewards, allowing players to enhance their gaming experience without breaking the bank.

John Carpenter’s Toxic Commando is slated to debut on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series in early 2026, offering crossplay compatibility across all devices. Given my background, this game seems to tick all the right boxes for a multiplayer shooting adventure, so I’m excitedly looking forward to it.

As a hardcore gaming enthusiast who craves the adrenaline rush of zombie-slaying mayhem, if you’ve found yourself yearning for the wild chaos of Left 4 Dead or Killing Floor 2, then it’s high time to keep an eye on this game too – it’s got all the pulse-pounding action you could ask for!

Read More

2025-08-25 18:48