The Suda51 Magnum Opus: Killer7

A 2005 ultra-violent gem currently holds a perfect score on Steam. All of these years later, what makes it so special?

Killer 7 is a psychological horror game that takes you on a dark and twisted journey through the mind of an assassin. In this game, you play as Harman Smith, a wheelchair-bound old man who controls seven different personalities, each with their own unique abilities and weapons. Your task is to hunt down and eliminate a group of dangerous terrorists who threaten the safety of the world.

As you progress through the game, you'll unravel a complex story filled with political intrigue, betrayal, and mind-bending twists. The game's unique visual style, which blends cel-shaded graphics with live-action cutscenes, adds to the surreal and unsettling atmosphere. And this game has only gotten better with age, telling the story of an invisible threat of worldwide terror in the form of beings who explode to kill their victims.

Killer 7 is not for the faint of heart, with its intense violence and disturbing imagery. However, if you're a fan of horror games and enjoy a challenging and thought-provoking story, this game is sure to keep you on the edge of your seat. Part prophetic vision, part Tarantino blood-fest, Killer7 is does not disappoint.

Suda51, A Video Game Auteur

Goichi Suda, also known as Suda51, is a Japanese video game designer, writer, and director. He is the founder and CEO of Grasshopper Manufacture, a Japanese video game development company known for creating games with unique and unconventional themes and gameplay mechanics. Some of his notable works include the games Killer7, No More Heroes, and Lollipop Chainsaw. Suda is known for his distinctive storytelling style and his willingness to experiment with gameplay mechanics and genres. He has won several awards for his work in the video game industry and has been a prominent figure in the Japanese video game development scene for many years.

Lucas Luna's Review

The first console I really ever loved was the Super Nintendo. And I grew up on classic JRPG’s like Chrono Trigger and Final Fantasy 6. I was a Zelda Kid, a Mario Kid, and I enjoyed all of the greatness that Nintendo had to offer. When I was 6 years old, my brother brought home a Nintendo GameCube, with all of its promise of family friendly games that everyone could enjoy. Nothing could prepare me for the mind warping experience that Killer7 would bring only a few years later

Killer7 was not a game that I should have been playing at such a young age, however the hyper violent, ultra-stylized political thriller had an appeal that I could not resist. This game had something that many other games of my childhood were lacking — the voice of a true auteur.

Suda51 continues to be one of the most unique voices in video games, making the button masher Lollipop Chainsaw, and the enigmatic Killer Is Dead. Nearly everything that Suda51 produces has a singular voice that blends humor, bloody sequences, and constant one-liners. He also features games within games, non-sequitors, nonsense conversation and assassin lead characters.

Killer7 is just about as cool as it gets and has style points that cement it in video game history. As time goes on, this game ages gravelly, thanks to its tastefully executed cell-shaded graphic style. In terms of gameplay, we will most likely never see a third person shooter that utilizes the A button for movement like Killer7 does. This unique mechanical twist doesn’t hinder the game; a testament to Suda51’s ingenuity.

I’ll close this one with a scene from the game. Garcian Smith plays Russian Roulette against the principal of a school where they train kids to be assassins. If Garcian Smith wins, he gets to learn how to hit on women with “a 100% success rate” and if he loses he must kill the President of the United States. The men have a coded conversation about the politics of the US, control over people, and presidency ultimately ending with the principal realizing he’s lost the game. His last words “women are all the same.” A scene we've never seen in a game, before or since.

9/10

Matt Hrachovy's Review

When I reflect on my young career reviewing games, I look back on some of our earliest episodes we did for the podcast and am surprised with some of the scores I gave games. That surprise is evidence of how both my taste in games and the way I review them have grown. Nowhere is that growth more evident than Killer 7.

Killer 7 is a game we played for the podcast about 2.5 years ago. Developed by enigmatic genius, Suda 51, and his studio Grasshopper Manufacture, this is often one of the games I reflect on the most in our podcasting journey. From a gameplay perspective, Killer 7 is both interesting and unremarkable all at once. Its age shows, having first released in 2005; the controls feel clunky, the shooting mechanic isn’t terribly exciting, the puzzles are at best average, and you are mostly on a linear railway the entire game. However, the game gives you the unique opportunity to play as 7 distinct assassins, each with their own quirks, fun one liners, and play styles to employ with them. This variety is just enough to help keep you trucking through the game.

You may have noticed I didn’t dive too in depth on the gameplay mechanics. Truth be told, there is a very good reason for that. The beauty of Killer 7 lies not in its gameplay or any technical achievement it may have hit. No, what makes Killer 7 incredible, is just how god damn weird it is! Find me another game where you are guided by a remnant psyche dressed in BDSM gear, given advice by the head of a rival assassin you killed, and by the lovable Travis Bell. Remnant psyche’s aside, Killer 7 excels in being unique. Featuring a multitude of interesting dialogue, zany characters and scenarios that drive the plot forward, it’s rare you’ll ever find yourself truly bored playing this game or not wanting to continue. You’ll keep going because you want to hear what Travis, Suzie or the assassins say next. You'll find out what happens to the cult leader that forces his followers to drive cars around the desert until they almost die, or complete any of the other wild scenarios you find yourself in. That is what makes Killer 7 truly a remarkable experience.

Now despite the praise I’ve just poured onto this game, I regret to say when we recorded I was more than harsh with my review. Is that because Killer 7 is bad? No, not at all, though if you don’t have nostalgia for the game, you may find yourself quickly jaded by the controls and combat. Despite my lower score for this game, I don’t think of any game we’ve reviewed for the podcast that has stuck with me like this game has. Killer7 and its ridiculous quotes and characters have lived rent free in my head since the day I completed it

Killer 7 is truly a special game. The fact that a game like this exists is nothing short of extraordinary and is a gem that needs to be experienced. Especially in today's world where I can’t help but feel developers lack the creativity and willingness to take the risks that Suda 51 had when he made Killer 7. Do yourself a favor, go play Killer 7

6/10