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Killing Time: Resurrected is a great remaster of the failed 3DO machine title. Gamers from this era fondly remember the original and this modern take captures many of those great elements whilst adding a generous layer of polish. However, this Boomer-Shooter delivers some fantastic FMV overlays and a whole host of ghastly creatures as you shoot and explore the vast levels.
This first-person horror adventure was developed and published by Nightdive Studios. Moreover, it is a single-player title that shows off its 1990s roots perfectly. Though the gameplay is rudimentary by modern standards, I loved the Doom-inspired action and the mindless mechanics. Shooting your way through waves of zombies, ducks, and 2 headed devil hounds made me smile. What’s more, the relatively short playtime prevents this from outstaying its welcome.
Killing Time: Resurrected tells a cursed story.
Playing with ancient Egyptian artefacts is bound to end badly. Unfortunately, Tess Conway, the wealthy heiress discovers this to her detriment. As she tries to unlock the power of immortality, things go awry. The ritual goes wrong and Ms Conway and her staff disappear without a trace. Consequently, you must explore her vast estate to recover the artefact and reverse the curse.
This sounds like an easy job, but every cursed creature is out to get you. The screams of ducks and the howl of demonic monsters make your skin crawl. Furthermore, don’t get me started about the zombie gardeners and the army of deadly chefs. In short, this is one weird ass game that throws plenty of surprises your way.
Standard gameplay.
I wasn’t blown away by Killing Time: Resurrected’s rudimentary gameplay. Other Boomer-Shooters deliver a more refined and enjoyable shooting experience. Yet, I liked the incredible FMV overlay and the wonderful storytelling. As you explore the incredible mansion, you encounter a range of spectral beings who break up the pixelated visuals. These cinematic treats have a beautiful blue hue to deliver a modern edge.
The map is a pleasure to explore. Guns, buildings, puzzles, and traps await you. Alongside this, there are waves of creepy foes waiting to smash you into a million pieces. Thankfully, guns and ammo are not in short supply and this makes dealing with the seamlessly never-ending foes an enjoyable task. My only complaint was the clowns! No one likes clowns. Not even clowns like clowns.
Killing Time: Resurrected is a fine visual trip down memory lane.
The 3DO was a machine that faltered and flopped. However, the memory of one of its much-loved titles lives on. Killing Time: Resurrected looks fantastic on a modern machine. Though it is pixelated and the colour palette isn’t as vivid as I’d have liked, it is still great to look at. The aforementioned FMV was a treat in the 90s, and the blue hue prevents the resolution and clarity from being an underwhelming mess.
The audio is a strange blend of ambient sounds, harsh firepower, and 1930s-inspired music. Though this shouldn’t work, it does. I adored the moments of silence and the eerie wind. Moreover, the demonic monsters have OTT sound effects that enhance the horror edge. Some of the acting is a little corny, but I didn’t care. The story is well-delivered and I enjoyed each snippet of cinematic.
Excellent controls.
The control system has been given a glorious overhaul. This was perfect as I’m not sure I’d have enjoyed the clunky, albeit retro nature of the original approach. Flipping through weapons and dodging incoming monsters was a cinch. Furthermore, I loved exploring the vast map and the various buildings you encounter.
Killing Time: Resurrected is sadly lacking replay value. I finished it in around 5 hours and addicted gamers could get through this in one sitting. This was a shame as you are left wanting. However, I liked the added extras that enhance the depth whilst giving clarity to some of the development decisions. Additionally, you can explore unused assets and witness the cinematic in one place.
Killing Time: Resurrected is a great remaster.
I’m not always a fan of remastered games. However, Killing Time: Resurrected is an exception. The tweaks have improved an already much-loved experience. What’s more, it rarely outstays its welcome and that is ideal if you have limited time. The difficulty isn’t too challenging and the variety of weapons and monsters was great. Accordingly, I like this shooter and I recommend buying it here! Can you find the artefact and remove the curse? Pick your weapon, explore the estate, and save the day.
