Company: Third Law Interactive Game Type: 1st Person Shooter Single Player: Yes Multiplayer: Deathmatch Demo Available: Yes ESRB Rating: M(ature)

ImaNewbie's Review

OK, first off I am usually pretty skeptical of games carrying celebrity logos. My first thoughts on these type of games is that they are just using the celebrity names to hype a game that otherwise would not be able to stand on its own merits. Having said that, KISS Psycho Circus was a refreshing surprise to say the least.

The Game

The game is a first-person shooter based on Todd McFarlanes, KISS Psycho Circus Comic. It consists of four different realms where you get to play a different KISS alter-ego in each realm. Once you complete the four realms there is a fifth realm where you go up against the Nightmare Child.

Click any thumbnail for a full-size image

Graphics and Gameplay

The game uses Monolith's Lithtech Engine and does a nice job of creating suitably dark and mysterious environs. The special effects are great. Nice use of lighting. Smooth animation. Controls are fairly standard so if you have played any of the other shooters like Unreal, Quake, etc. you shouldn't have much trouble. The lower-level monsters consist of these headless crabs and fireball spitting dogs reminicent of some of the monsters in Half-Life but the tougher monsters are where the fun begins. Rock-throwing fat ladies, arachniclowns (clown/spider combo), rocket firing strongmen, balloon monsters and all sorts of other circus hallucinations. A nice feature is the little pop-up health bars that appear as you are wasting the monsters to show you how much life they have left. Weapons are pretty standard faire however with a couple of twists like a bullwhip that takes out monsters but also can hook on to things to pull you across an area etc. The multiplayer consists of deathmatch only.

The Demo

The demo is large and gives you a chance to try out each of the four characters in a different level. You can get the demo from the site link below or, if you don't like those long downloads, it is also available on the PCGamer magazine CD (October Issue).

Final Words

If you like shooters, this one is worth a look.

KISS: Psycho Circus website (Get the Demo here)

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