8Bit/Digi

Insert Coin, Cause Mayhem

On several occasions over the summer, I found myself discussing the lack of beat ’em up games with friends. The most notable was during Anime Expo after demoing Double Dragon Revive and at California Extreme after being reminded of the absence of this once iconic genre. So when one does come around, it will get my attention. This time, it’s one based on the Terrifier series.

Terrifier: The ARTcade Game joins the growing list of horror franchises receiving video game adaptations in recent years. While the likes of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre have embraced the asymmetrical multiplayer genre, this Terrifier chooses a traditional beat’em up approach. It may seem unusual at first, but it works because one player should not be allowed to have all the fun. Instead, the game lets up to four players join the carnage by battling together through its many stages thanks to its co-op setup.

It should be noted that I’ve only seen the first two films and the music video for “A Work of Art” by Ice Nine Kills. Because of this limited exposure, there were likely moments or references that went over my head during my playthrough. As a result, I’m not going to be too critical of the story or the amount of fan service included in the game.

Rollin & Killing

Terrifier: The ARTcade Game places players in control of Art the Clown alongside the Little Pale Girl, Victoria, and Adam Burke. When a movie based on Art the Clown goes into production, the group sets out to disrupt filming by causing as much chaos as possible. That’s essentially the entire story, which works fine for a beat ’em up based on the Terrifier films. If you’ve seen the movies, you already understand why a beat ’em up adaptation might seem like an odd fit. However, I have to commend them for doing something different, which is why a simple story works best for such a game.

The gameplay follows the familiar structure of a classic arcade beat ’em up, transplanted into the world of Terrifier. Players can go solo or team up in groups of up to four, battling through waves of enemies. Combat sticks to genre standards, offering light and heavy attacks followed by a finishing move if the right conditions are met. Along the way, players collect health items, weapons, unlock hidden content, and discover branching paths toward the final stage. Each level ends with a boss fight that becomes far more manageable when players work together.

The ARTcade Game is not just limited to the main game as there are additional game modes. Arcade, Wave, Versus, Time Attack, and Boss Rush are all available once the first stage or Story Mode has been completed. These modes all add to the game’s overall replay value, making players come back for more.

Welcome to my Mind

Right away, it’s easy to see this game appealing to Terrifier fans. If you’re one of them, don’t go in expecting a lore-accurate adventure. Instead, think of it as a party game you and your friends can enjoy simply because you’re all fans of the films. I could also see horror film fans overall enjoying this with friends, especially if you are tired of asymmetrical multiplayer games and want something different.

As a game, Terrifier: The ARTcade Game is a fun experience to play with friends, even if you’re not a fan of the series. It strikes a solid balance between horror elements and the dark humor Art brings to moments just before the kills. Much of the grim tone found in the films is softened through cartoonish visuals. However, it never goes too far, as there’s still plenty of carnage to go around. Best of all, it’s not just limited to one game mode, but six that you can enjoy with friends.

I also have to give a special mention to Act 4, as it’s radically different from the other stages. The best comparison is a strange hybrid of Hong Kong ’97 and Stage 8 of Contra. The level feels like stepping into another world, one that’s alive with bizarre, bio-organic visuals. Adding to the chaos are backgrounds decorated with poorly pasted Terrifier images. Rather than conveying dread or shock, the stage seems designed to torment players through sheer confusion as they push forward.

Final Cut

Terrifier: The ARTcade Game is a decent attempt at a beat ’em up, but it also falls short in so many ways. Key among them are the sluggish controls, bare boned combat, and how repetitive the enemies get.

The game’s biggest issue lies in its controls, which often feel janky and rough. At times, it feels like playing an unkempt arcade cabinet, and that’s not a compliment. Navigating stages while fighting waves of enemies feels less fluid and more like a slog, as if something is constantly holding you back. While functional, the controls aren’t always comfortable and become especially frustrating during precision actions. Over time, the strain becomes noticeable, with sore hands setting in after pushing through multiple stages.

Next is the combat, which isn’t bad and can be satisfying to a degree, but it’s also very bare-bones. It offers little room for creativity or experimenting with varied attack strings or combos. Instead, the system boils down to basic punches, stronger attacks, a super move, and a finishing attack. Not helping matters is how often you fight the same enemies repeatedly. Most foes boil down to variations of cops, firefighters, construction workers, and clowns, which quickly makes encounters feel repetitive.

Cut! In Blood

The game is held back by several shortcomings, but it can still be fun for the right audience. Horror fans and Terrifier devotees will likely enjoy the couch co-op experience with a few friends. Beat ’em up fans, however, may find themselves on the fence. Still, if you’ve been craving something new, it does enough to scratch that itch.

Terrifier: The ARTcade Game brings the world of the iconic horror films into a beat ’em up experience that horror fans will appreciate. It’s a beat ’em up that’s easy to jump into with friends and offers enough replay value to justify repeated runs. Its shortcomings, however, make it a game that will mostly appeal to horror fans looking for something new instead of another asymmetrical multiplayer experience.

Disclaimer: The publisher, through a PR representative, provided the game used for this review.

This review is the critique and thoughts of one writer. If you want to see how other critics felt, then check it out on OpenCritic.

8Bit/Digi is an independent media outlet that provides insight into the gamer community of the San Francisco Bay Area.

Terrifier: The ARTcade Game (PC)

7

Good

7.0/10

Pros

• A beat’em up game that is easy to get into with friends.
• Four player co-op and plenty of game modes add to the replay value.
• Game has a balence of humor and carnage.
• Terrifier and horror fans will enjoy it.

Cons

• Controls feel sluggish and rough when playing.
• Combat feels very bare boned.
• Enmies get repetitive.