Why John Carpenter’s Toxic Commando Could Be the Next Must-Play Co-Op Shooter

Much more than just a funky-sounding title that feels like it was pulled, kicking and screaming, from the early 1980s, John Carpenter’s Toxic Commando is, in fact, promising players a jolly old time filled with loud, splattery mutant zombie slaying across a devastated post-apocalyptic wasteland. Perhaps best of all, this whole spectacle has been tailored to be enjoyed with friends who share a taste for such gloopy violence. With that in mind, here’s why John Carpenter’s Toxic Commando is shaping up to be the next must-have co-op game for PC and console gamers alike.

Toxic Commando Is In Good, Practised Hands

Before delving too deeply into the many aspects of Toxic Commando that lend themselves to such a heady calibre of co-op goodness, it’s worth acknowledging the talented group in charge of its creation. Developed by the endlessly versatile Saber Interactive—the studio behind Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 and, perhaps most fittingly, World War Z—fans of cooperative shooters should have any lingering doubts quickly assuaged. Few developers boast quite as much recent experience in crafting compelling, violence-filled co-op shooters as the folks over at Saber Interactive.

The Story Is Pure B-Movie Trash, And We’re Here For It

True to its gloriously trashy title, the setting of Toxic Commando aligns perfectly with the gore-soaked, video nasty horror splatter flicks of the late 1970s and early 1980s. Set in a grim near future, the world has been blighted by an ancient Eldritch terror known as the Sludge God – a festering, gargantuan monster hellbent on transforming Earth into a rotting bowl of decay filled to the brim with shambling undead.

Naturally, this makes the Sludge God public enemy number one for the titular Toxic Commandos: a ragtag band of dysfunctional mercenaries who have made it their life’s mission to wipe this filthy entity from the face of the planet. Left 4 Dead by way of a shamelessly gratuitous ’80s B-movie horror premise, complete with buddy-movie vibes and buckets of gore? Yeah, we’re absolutely here for that.

A Quartet Of Very Different Loudmouth Heroes Ready To Throw Down

It also helps that the Toxic Commandos themselves are a charismatic bunch, diligently ticking all the B-movie 1980s hero and anti-hero boxes you’d expect. There’s Walter, the laid-back yet grizzled veteran with a wisecrack for every situation; Ruby, a firebrand with an appetite for destruction; Cato, the team’s more sensitive soul; and Astrid, the long-suffering leader desperately trying to keep these misfits shooting in the same direction. Taken together, the ragtag cast makes for a compelling line-up.

The Sludge God Giveth (Sort Of)

While each Toxic Commando is a distinct character, players can also define the functional role they’ll play in pushing back the Sludge God-fuelled apocalypse. Alongside familiar archetypes (damage dealer, tank, support, and engineer), each with their own traits, abilities, and signature skills, Toxic Commando has an extra trick up its sleeve.

The Commandos wield special devices that not only shield them from the Sludge God’s poisonous miasma but also actively weaponise the infection. These trigger unique mutations that can turn the tide of battle, from creating massive healing zones to unleashing clouds that boost allies’ damage output.

More Enemies Than You Can Shake An Undead Stick At

Drawing heavily on its experience with World War Z, Saber Interactive has once again deployed the Swarm Engine—the same technology that allowed hundreds upon hundreds of enemies to flood the screen at once. Enhanced for Toxic Commando, players can expect not just a near-constant tsunami of undead to deal with, but a far wider variety of enemy types to put six feet under.

A Bigger, Semi-Open World For You And Your Mates To Blast About In

While Toxic Commando shares some technological DNA with World War Z, it also boasts a significantly larger game world. Gone are the narrow, highly linear maps of its predecessor. In their place are semi-open environments that give players the freedom to roam, wreak havoc, and uncover hidden ammo and resource caches tucked away in every nook and cranny. And speaking of open spaces…

Vehicles Make Everything Better

The expanded environments allow Toxic Commando to lean into vehicles in a big way. Players can tear across the wasteland in everything from abandoned ambulances to fully equipped technical jeeps. These aren’t just a faster way to get from A to B, either—vehicles feature functional slots that let teammates ride shotgun or man mounted machine guns, gleefully mowing down undead hordes while the driver handles the chaos like they’re starring in a Fast & Furious spin-off.

Even better, vehicles have their own upgrade paths and progression systems, lending them a surprising—and satisfying—degree of mastery that helps Toxic Commando stand apart from its peers.

No Mates? No Problem

If your real-world squad isn’t available to help you take on the Sludge God, Toxic Commando has you covered. AI-controlled teammates can step in, allowing you to tackle the game solo if needed. Likewise, if a co-op session isn’t fully staffed with human players, AI companions can fill the gaps and keep the carnage flowing.

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