KILL KNIGHT Review: Unleash Chaos

Having spent some serious time with Playside’s KILL KNIGHT, I can confidently say it’s one of the most brutal and rewarding experiences I’ve had in a long while. I was instantly hooked by the visceral combat and relentless pacing from the moment I booted it up. Every flick of the thumbstick felt like a test of reflexes and strategy, forcing me to stay sharp or get shredded by the relentless unholy hordes. Let me walk you through what makes this game both punishing and extremely addictive.

Nostalgic Throwback with a Modern Twist

At first glance, the retro-inspired pixel art caught my attention—there’s something delightfully gritty and nostalgic about the way Kill Knight is presented. I’ve always appreciated games that don’t try to dasetzzle with flashy graphics but rather focus on crafting a world that’s oozing with atmosphere. Kill Knight nails that balance. Its gothic, oppressive decayed arenas immediately sets the tone. You’re not here to have a good time; you’re here to survive. The story is bare-bones, but it works in this setting. You’re a knight, betrayed, thrown into an abyss with one goal: vengeance. It’s enough to motivate you as you slice and shoot your way through the game’s unforgiving layers and peel them back, one by one.

Pure Adrenaline, Zero Mercy

The combat, hands down is where Kill Knight really shines. The dual approach of ranged and melee combat is seamless. At first, I relied heavily on my gun, trying to keep my distance from enemies. But as the difficulty ramped up—and trust me, it does—I quickly learned that switching between slashing with my sword and shooting was crucial to staying alive. Timing is everything. The enemies come fast and hard at you, and there’s this exhilarating balance between offense and defense. The dodge mechanic is essential, but you can’t just roll around endlessly. It reminded me of Hotline Miami in the way you’re forced to be aggressive, but also methodical. If you hesitate, you’re dead. If you rush in carelessly, you’re also dead. It’s that delicate balance that kept me on the edge of my seat.

One of my favorite moments was finally nailing a sequence where I dodged a barrage of enemy attacks, executed a flawless sword combo, and then shotgunned the last enemy before the room was clear. The sense of satisfaction is unreal. It’s these kinds of moments that make all the deaths feel worth it because every success feels hard-earned.

Learning Through Failure

I’ll be honest—Kill Knight is tough. Brutally so. And if you’re not a fan of learning through failure, it might drive you insane. But for me, it became this addictive cycle of trial and error. At first, I struggled, dying over and over in the early stages, but each time I failed, I learned something. The attack patterns, the enemy placement, how to optimize my weapons—every run taught me something new. It reminded me a bit of the Souls series but in a top-down, faster-paced way. You’re thrown into the action with little explanation, and it’s up to you to figure it out. I loved that sense of discovery, of slowly mastering each level through sheer persistence. And when you do finally conquer a tough section, it feels like a major victory

That said, the game’s difficulty might be a turnoff for some. It doesn’t hold your hand, and there were moments when I almost threw in the towel. But if you’re stubborn like me and enjoy overcoming challenges through perseverance, you’ll find a lot to love here. The bosses in Kill Knight are no joke. Each one feels like a culmination of everything you’ve learned up until that point. They have unique attack patterns that force you to be precise with your timing and tactics. My favorite boss was this massive, angelic monstrosity with a glowing sword, and it took me more tries than I’d like to admit to bringing it down. The fights are a test of endurance as much as skill. They’re fast, chaotic, and unforgiving, but not in an unfair way. Every boss has a weakness, and figuring it out while dodging a hailstorm of attacks is part of the fun. When I finally beat the last boss, I felt like I had earned my place in the game’s brutal world.

Rewarding but Repetitive

One thing worth noting is that Kill Knight can get repetitive, especially as you grind through multiple layers of the abyss. The arena-based structure means that you’re often clearing room after room of enemies, and while the combat is satisfying, there were times when I felt the repetition starting to wear me down. However, the variety of enemies and the ever-increasing difficulty kept me invested.

Unlocking new weapons and abilities along the way also helped break up the monotony. The power-ups felt meaningful, and they encouraged me to experiment with different playstyles. By the time I hit the deeper layers, I was juggling different weapons and abilities like a pro, which made the later challenges feel even more rewarding.

A Few Frustrations

No game is perfect, and Kill Knight isn’t without its flaws. While the difficulty is part of its appeal, it can sometimes feel overwhelming, especially for new players. There’s no tutorial to guide you through the mechanics, so you’re left to figure things out on your own, which can be frustrating. I also noticed a few moments where the hit detection felt a bit off, leading to some unfair deaths.

Additionally, the game’s story, while intriguing, could have used a bit more depth. The world-building is there, but it’s mostly background noise to the action. I would have loved to learn more about the ire of this cursed world and the knight’s tragic backstory. But, at the end of the day, this is an action game first, and the story takes a backseat to the gameplay.

Real Talk

Kill Knight isn’t for the faint of heart, but if you’re up for a challenge, it’s an exhilarating experience that will keep you hooked from start to finish. Sure, it has its rough edges, and the repetition might wear on some players. But for those who crave intense, skill-based action with a gothic, retro flair, Kill Knight delivers in spades. It’s one of those games where, even after countless deaths, you’re always itching for just one more run. And when you finally conquer the abyss, the victory is all the sweeter for having fought tooth and nail to get there.

FINAL RATING: 90/100