John Carpenter's Toxic Commando is a first-person shooter that emphasizes cooperative play against waves of undead creatures in a post-disaster world. Players form squads to confront the Sludge God and its horde, using firearms, explosives, melee weapons, and vehicle support across mission objectives. The experience blends intense horde combat with light vehicle traversal elements on PC.
Gameplay
Core action revolves around selecting from distinct classes that influence abilities and playstyles. Squads of up to four tackle objectives in semi-open environments filled with enemies and optional side activities. Combat mixes ranged shooting with close-quarters options like katanas, while vehicles add mobility for repositioning or objectives. Solo play supports progression with AI teammates, though the design encourages online coordination for larger threats. Missions feature escalating phases where enemy density increases after initial goals are met.
Game Modes
The primary structure consists of a story-driven campaign divided into three acts and eight missions. Each mission places players in expansive areas with main objectives and secondary points of interest. Progression follows a linear narrative path through these scenarios, with no separate competitive or survival modes confirmed beyond the campaign framework. All content supports both co-op and solo sessions with bots.
Story and Setting
The narrative centers on a near-future catastrophe involving an experimental energy project that unleashes the Sludge God. Mercenary teams known as Toxic Commandos are dispatched to contain the resulting monstrous outbreak. Dark humor and over-the-top violence define the tone, with character banter and environmental storytelling filling out the world.
Is It Worth Playing?
The game launched on March 12, 2026, and maintains Mostly Positive user feedback on Steam, with 78 percent approval from over 3,200 reviews. Reception highlights its satisfying co-op loop and mission variety as strengths for fans of horde shooters. It suits players who enjoy team-based action with vehicle integration and class customization. Ongoing updates, including difficulty adjustments, indicate continued support. Those seeking straightforward cooperative campaigns without heavy competitive elements will find the most value here.
- Four-player co-op focus with solo bot support
- Mission-based campaign spanning eight scenarios
- Class selection and vehicle mechanics integrated into combat
