Killer Is Dead

 Xbox 360
Metascore
64

Mixed or average reviews - based on 38 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 38
  2. Mixed: 22 out of 38
  3. Negative: 4 out of 38
Buy On
  1. NZGamer
    Sep 3, 2013
    45
    Perhaps I could look past all of this incredibly juvenile sexism if the game was any good, but it’s really not. The game is played at a slow pace, the story is just confusing, and there’s nothing that makes me actually want to play it.
  2. Official Xbox Magazine UK
    Aug 27, 2013
    40
    I've not felt wronged by a game to this degree in a long time. Hatred just about captures the emotion. Killer is Dead has the kernel of an acceptable game, swathed in unlikable characters, a Benny Hill attitude to women, alienating self-regard and some obnoxious gameplay decisions. It's impossible to recommend.
  3. Polygon
    Aug 27, 2013
    45
    Killer Is Dead would almost work as a parody of some of the worst elements of the last 20 years of video games, were it not so dead serious — and pathetically incompetent.
  5. USgamer
    Aug 30, 2013
    40
    I'm down with crazy. I've enjoyed things like Twin Peaks and Mawaru Penguindrum. Crazy is fine, but you need to give me a hook. Killer is Dead has no hook for me. A great story and characters could get me through boring gameplay. I've been there before. Great gameplay could get me through a crap story. But, Killer is Dead offers me neither. It's not even bad enough to hate.

Awards & Rankings

55
#55 Most Discussed Xbox 360 Game of 2013
48
#48 Most Shared Xbox 360 Game of 2013

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.1

Mixed or average reviews- based on 143 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 93 out of 143
  2. Mixed: 18 out of 143
  3. Negative: 32 out of 143
  1. Compozer
    Aug 27, 2013
    9
    Don't let the white knight reviewers fool you into thinking Killer Is Dead is a bad game due to the sexualisation of women in it. It's notDon't let the white knight reviewers fool you into thinking Killer Is Dead is a bad game due to the sexualisation of women in it. It's not perfect, that's true. The combat isn't as deep as Devil May Cry or flashy as Bayonetta, but it's incredible over the top Suda51 fun. Fighting enemies is fast paced and enjoyable, and on higher difficulties, requires serious skill. I don't use the word often, but Killer is Dead is just awesome. The art style looks amazing, genuinely artistic. Colors are vibrant and flashy, and make Mondo Zappa and co. really come to life. The characters aren't necessarily fleshed out, but it feels like a Tarantino movie in the sense that they don't have to say a lot to know their life story.
    As for Gigolo Missions, they're great too. Before everyone starts screaming MISOGYNIST, get off your high horse and enjoy Killer is Dead for what it is: a flashy, over the top game that's about fighting robots/monsters, and banging buxom babes.
    Killer is Dead is my favorite Suda51 title yet, and I highly recommend it.    … Full Review »
  2. gurochu
    Aug 27, 2013
    9
    I have been blown away once again by Suda 51. As some of the other positive reviews have stated, there are many elements of the game such asI have been blown away once again by Suda 51. As some of the other positive reviews have stated, there are many elements of the game such as sexualization of women that many are calling out as poor content, but there's a reason why no one can understand it. This game is Art.

    Suda 51's career has been focused solely in the production of pieces, rather than games. This, like Killer 7, is not a game as much as it is a presentation of visuals, audio, writing, and overall mastery of the craft that is involved in any art based game. While I do agree that the sexualization is sometimes not necessary, it's not put in the game so fans can touch themselves, it's to present the main character as a smooth womanizer who rather than talking, woos women tactically with gifts instead of speech. As he doesn't actively care about these women, he doesn't care enough to talk to them. If there's anything to walk away from this game with is, it's that Suda 51 games are all about context and about artistic value. Do a little research about the Japanese audience, play his previous games, and let the game feel more like a representation, rather than a basic beat'em'up.    … Full Review »
  3. makemenuconfig
    Aug 27, 2013
    10
    This game is fun. I don't care about the silly plot.The action is great and I'm loving it. The graphic design is a welcoming fresh change. TheThis game is fun. I don't care about the silly plot.The action is great and I'm loving it. The graphic design is a welcoming fresh change. The sound effects and voice acting are very good. The gameplay is varied and at times it is challenging, but not because of an 'artificial difficulty'. This game needs some skill to get through some levels. I don't have the slightness clue why this got low reviews. 10/10… Full Review »
See all user reviews »