John Carpenter's Toxic Commando

I jumped into John Carpenter's Toxic Commando expecting equal parts nostalgia and chaos — and for the most part, that’s what I got. It wears its influences on its sleeve: Left 4 Dead energy, WWZ’s swarm tech and a healthy dose of MudRunner vehicle shenanigans. What sets it apart is how effortlessly it blends big, splashy zombie waves with goofy vehicular mayhem and a synth soundtrack that could have been pulled straight from a late‑night horror flick. It’s not perfect, but it’s a very readable love letter to anyone who still gets a thrill from mowing down hordes with friends.

Rush, Revive, Repeat

The core loop of Toxic Commando is gloriously simple: you and up to three friends push through semi‑open maps, scavenge for parts, find or repair a vehicle, and then hold a line against towering waves of infected. Missions tend to thread an objective‑based flow — scavenging, escorting, or seizing tech — that climaxes in a desperate defense segment where turrets, mortars and teamwork carry the day. Gunplay feels punchy and immediate; weapons have weight and satisfying impact, which matters when you’re dancing around clustered mobs. I spent most runs toggling between aggressive pushes and methodical resource gathering, because higher difficulties quickly punish sloppy play. The always‑online requirement and unpausable solo runs add a small vein of tension — great for co‑op, less fun if your connection or party falls apart.

When the Horde Meets the Highway

What makes Toxic Commando stand out is how it folds vehicles into the horde formula. You’ll find jeeps and heavier rigs scattered across maps, each with distinct kit: some have mounted guns, others sport winches to pull you out of mud or pull down obstacles. Driving is cathartic — plowing through zombies, ramming crowds and setting up mobile defenses is an absolute delight. The Swarm Engine Saber's known for means the screen can become a roiling sea of bodies and that spectacle sells the loops. Still, vehicle use isn’t a magic bullet: you’ll need ammo, fuel and crew coordination, otherwise the fun turns into a cramped deathtrap.

Progression, Classes and the Price of Pretty Skins

There’s a clear meta: level weapons and classes, prestige certain items, and chase cosmetics through the Bloody Pass and DLC. The system is serviceable but grindy — weapon tiers and separate skin unlocks for each gun felt tedious after a few hours. Classes (Strike, Operator, Defender, Medic) bring modular roles but aren’t wildly asymmetric: the Strike’s fireballs are fun, Operator drones are handy, and Defender/Medic fill expected support roles. NPC teammates and bots can be helpful but aren’t a substitute for human players; if you want the best loop, bring friends. Story beats exist but are thin — Carpenter’s name sets a tone more than it promises deep narrative.

A Feast for the Eyes and Ears (Mostly)

Visually Toxic Commando leans into glossy gore and synthwave sheen. Maps are varied with mud, wreckage and neon moments; gore effects are juicy and satisfying. Performance at launch feels surprisingly competent for a swarm game — many players report buttery framerates with occasional drops during pyrotechnics. Sound design is strong: guns thump, engines roar and the synth soundtrack adds campy, cinematic flavor. A few launch hitches and rare crashes were reported, and friendly fire plus always‑online can grate when you run into griefers, but on a good night the audio‑visual package makes the chaos feel cinematic.

John Carpenter's Toxic Commando is a loud, bloody and often joyful co‑op shooter that nails spectacle and vehicle chaos more than it reinvents the wheel. If you want pick‑up‑and‑play horde fun with friends and can tolerate some grind and thin storytelling, it’s worth the ride — especially with launch discounts and a solid roadmap. If you demand deep progression systems or memorable single‑player narratives, this one will feel a bit hollow.