‘John Carpenter’s Toxic Commando’ Review: Zombie FPS Brings Chaos And Thrill Back To Gaming World

We’ve all played that one game where our entire focus was on shooting as many zombies as possible. It has been a treasured pastime for friends and gamers ever since Left 4 Dead was released in 2008. However, there are a lot of options for similar thrills nowadays, and the latest addition to this is that the gaming world has now been bestowed with another zombie quest titled John Carpenter’s Toxic Commando.

Clearly inspired by the L4D formula, Saber Interactive’s latest game is a fun first-person shooter that can lead to some special co-op gaming moments. So, as the makers bring back one of the favourite kinds of games, let’s see if it has lived up to the hype.

What is the story of John Carpenter’s Toxic Commando?

John Carpenter’s Toxic Commando is set in the near future. In the game, a scientific experiment intended to harness energy from Earth’s core goes wrong, releasing an entity called the ‘Sludge God’. Soon enough, it begins to turn soil into scum and humans into zombies. However, the scientists have now come up with a plan to save the world by hiring a team of mercenaries to eliminate the threat.

Is John Carpenter’s Toxic Commando worth playing?

While the main objective of John Carpenter’s Toxic Commando might vary from mission to mission, the core gameplay remains the same. The player and their group of three other players shoot several zombies while helping each other from getting overwhelmed by a swarm, as they make their way to the main task. Rare zombie spawns, such as the exploding Nuker, range-shooting Stalker, and tank-like Slob, also throw wrenches into the player’s plans and will require cooperation to survive.

Levels then end with a major encounter, ranging from a boss fight to some deadly waves of zombies coming at the players from every direction. The basics certainly are closely reflective of the Left 4 Dead formula. However, the difference lies in the game’s semi-open maps, which offer a real sense of exploration. With each attempt at a level having the potential of going in different ways, players are definitely in for a treat. The game will offer vehicles that players can find that can change an entire run, and those who search for spare parts can set up better defences and gain better weaponry as well. 

Additionally, players who run straight to the objective might not be as prepared as they seem, as one wants to be properly prepared for the final stretches, especially on greater difficulties. There is no denying that much of John Carpenter’s Toxic Commando feels familiar to previous games available in the genre. However, it is the sense of openness and vehicles that are the primary differentiators in the game. There is a wide range of cars to be found during the journey, from a powerful all-terrain vehicle that can wrench open hidden areas and has a turret to an ambulance that restores team health.

These really aid in exploration. However, things are not entirely easy, as fans will need to find gasoline to keep using their vehicles. The game also encourages players to allocate some of the skill points they earn across four different co-op roles. The early players have reported that, while they primarily played its tank equivalent, ‘Defender’, there are also a ‘Medic’, a ‘Strike’ (a damage dealer), and a support class called ‘Operator’. So, a team with different qualities will ensure a really fun time, as one battles to see whether they can survive the greater difficulty level and really test themselves.

Final verdict on John Carpenter’s Toxic Commando

John Carpenter’s Toxic Commando features the horror master’s sense of humour and delivers one of the best zombie shooters in recent times. The open environment and access to vehicles have really set the game apart, rather than positioning it as another Left 4 Dead wannabe. It’s this sense of camaraderie that the game fosters that makes John Carpenter’s Toxic Commando a delight to play and a refreshing co-op shooter.

About John Carpenter’s Toxic Commando

John Carpenter’s Toxic Commando is a 2026 first-person shooter developed by Saber Interactive and published by Focus Entertainment. The game was released on March 12, 2026, for PlayStation 5, Windows and Xbox Series X/S. The game was announced in June 2023 at the Summer Game Fest. It was at the same fest that the makers announced that John Carpenter would be collaborating on the game and had even worked on the story. John also contributed to the game’s musical score. The game supports both multiplayer and single-player modes and is being coined as a delight for gaming veterans.

In an interview, Saber Interactive’s Chief Creative Officer (CCO), Tim Willits, also reflected on the evolution of gaming experience with John Carpenter’s Toxic Commando. He revealed that his favourite way to play the game is with two friends and an AI bot. He further commented on the need for teamwork in zombie shooting games and was quoted as saying:

“Yeah, so, like, the best way to play it, in my personal opinion, is with two friends. So you have one bot, because that one bot will always revive me, because you know your friends are never going to”

What are your thoughts on John Carpenter’s Toxic Commando? Let us know.

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