A small town, a serial killer, a radio station, and a producer who tries to save them all. This is my opinion on Team17’s Killer Frequency.

THE SETTING: The game takes place in the small town of Gallows Creek. It’s the fall of 1987, and another late-night show at the local radio station is about to begin. The name of the station? The fitting “189.1, The Scream”. Yes, you read that right. The station’s name is “The Scream”. Sarcasm? Maybe. Fitting for the game? Absolutely.

The character you play is Forrest Nash, an experienced producer whose fate brought him to the town’s local station, playing music and taking calls for a crowd of roughly 40 listeners. The call that starts the story is from the police department. A serial killer has appeared, the three-man police force of the town is overwhelmed, and help is needed from the closest town to Gallows Creek, which is a couple of hours away.

Taking all these factors into consideration, your mission is simple. All incoming transmissions are redirected to the station until help arrives, making you the savior for every desperate caller on this crazy night. Your choices will decide how many of the listeners will be saved or whether they will become victims of the Whistling Man.

GAMEPLAY: Most of the action takes place behind the decks. Seeing everything in the first person, your job is to answer calls and help people through your choices. However, there are some segments where you have to step beyond the sound booth and wander through the station’s building. And to be fair, this was the best part of the game in my opinion. I will explain later in the article why I enjoyed these studio excursions so much. In simple terms, in the rooms inside the building, you will find clues for the right answers you must give to the callers if you want to save them.

I have to say that most puzzles are smart and require sharp observation to solve. However, a couple of them I found very difficult and without any logical explanation. But it’s just a few. In general, exploring the rooms to find hints and items was very fun and engaging.

There is a limitation on how many things you can carry. Practically, you can hold only two. On the right side, you have the main item which you can use, and on the left side, you have the second item you can carry. It’s not a big deal since you can swap them at any time with the push of a button on your controller, but this is how the game works. And I don’t remember any moment where I had to carry more than two things at a time.

TECHNICAL: The art style of Killer Frequency didn’t strike me right in the beginning. I found it kind of odd and unsuited for a horror game. At least, this is what I thought at first. But after diving deeper into the atmosphere and realizing that it wasn’t a horror title but a classic slasher story, it grew on me. Inspired by ‘80s neon-noir lights and colors, Killer Frequency’s stylized 3D art will capture you as it did with me.

Regarding performance, during my playthrough, I didn’t notice any glitches or frame drops. The game runs smoothly at 60fps without demanding any crazy resources. I played the game on the base PS5, but I believe that it will perform greatly on PCs as well—even on weaker hardware.

The factor that sets the tone of the title is the sound effects and the music. Forrest Nash has an exceptional collection of vinyl records that you can play during the radio show. Each song—along with its title—transports you to the mid-‘80s, an era that fits perfectly with the scenario of Killer Frequency. However, a slasher story must also have suspense, mystery, and spooky moments. That’s the reason venturing outside the studio exists. The distant music is replaced by creepy sounds and ambient silence that add to the claustrophobic tension while exploring the building. It was one of my favorite parts for sure.

Killer Frequency’s story is driven by the callers. So, when we talk about sound design, we must mention the magnificent voice acting. Every character is portrayed excellently, and the voice actors sound genuinely terrified, desperate, and erratic, reacting dynamically to your pacing and choices. Their performance is top-tier.

SCENARIO: It’s time to talk about the best thing about the game, which is its story. If you are a fan of ‘80s slasher movies, you will love it. The characters, the town, the background—everything is narrated perfectly. And even though in most of the game you are inside a studio behind the decks, the city comes alive through the dialogue and your imagination. In addition, reading maps and notes from inside the station will give you more information about Gallows Creek and details on the history of the town.

Regarding the ending, it’s not something that blows your mind or is unexpected. Depending on your answers you might see a different ending, as the game has multiple, but the main idea is the same. There is a plot twist halfway into the game that will make you change your perspective on some characters, and a mystery that shrouds some others. But in general, the enjoyment is to see how the story unravels and learn as many things as you can about the callers.

HIGHLIGHT: Gameplay-wise, the best part for me was every time I stepped out of the control room. Roaming the building searching for clues in this spine-chilling atmosphere is the first thing that will come to my mind every time I recall Killer Frequency.

LETDOWN: For some of the characters you have to save, it’s not very clear how to do it. Specifically in three cases where maps are involved, the directions you have to give are a bit muddled. If I remember correctly, these are the only characters I lost. On the other hand, maybe I was the only one who didn’t get the concept.

CONCLUSION: In the end, Killer Frequency is a short indie game that deserves your attention. I had the chance to play it through my PS Plus Extra subscription, and I didn’t regret it at all. If you like classic slasher movies, mysterious stories about serial killers, and an ’80s vibe, I would suggest giving it a try. It will not disappoint. Team17 delivered a game worth playing, with refined story writing and compelling characters. Don’t miss it.