John Carpenter’s Toxic Commando is a 2026 first-person shooter developed by Saber Interactive and published by Focus Entertainment. The game was released on March 12, 2026 for PlayStation 5, Windows, and Xbox Series X/S.
Story
Set in the near future, a scientific experiment to harness the energy of the Earth’s core goes haywire when it accidentally releases an entity called the Sludge God. It soon begins to turn the soil into scum and mankind into zombies. However, the scientists behind the experiment come up with a plan to stop the Sludge God, by hiring a team of mercenaries to eliminate the zombies and save the world.
Development
During Summer Game Fest in June 2023, it was announced that John Carpenter was collaborating with Focus Entertainment and Saber Interactive for the game’s development. Carpenter worked on the game’s story and also composed its musical score. The game supports both multiplayer and single-player. In a recent interview, Saber Interactive Chief Creative Officer Tim Willits admitted his favourite way to play the current build is with two friends and an AI bot, “because that one bot will always revive me, because you know your friends are never going to…”, pointing towards a real need for cohesive teamwork in the zombie shooter.
Release
The game was released on March 12, 2026 on PlayStation 5, Windows and Xbox Series X/S. The game was previously set to be released in 2024.
John Carpenter’s Toxic Commando: Rise of the Sludge God, a tie-in prequel comic book set shortly before the events of the game, written by Michael Moreci, was published on March 24, 2024, by Dark Horse Comics.
Reception
Samantha Nelson of Polygon gave the game a positive preview, writing “I found all the game’s controls intuitive and swapping between the many weapons was highly satisfying, leaving me eager to try more along with experimenting with other classes”. Luke Addison of The Thumb Wars also gave a positive review, summarizing that “it’s as mental and over-the-top as it sounds and should be”.
References
External links
- Official website
- John Carpenter’s Toxic Commando at IMDb
Gamer24h Editor's Take
Having closely reviewed John Carpenter’s Toxic Commando, the Gamer24h editorial team considers it one of the most noteworthy titles of recent times. The visionary approach of developer Saber Interactive, combined with the expertise of publisher Focus Entertainment, has resulted in an exceptionally refined product. Its innovative take on the First-person shooter genre offers a breath of fresh air for fans of the category. If you're looking for an absorbing world and satisfying mechanics that pull you right in, this game might be exactly what you've been searching for.