Midnight Murder Club: A Darkly Playful Twist on the FPS Genre
By Rachel Kim, World-Today-News.com – November 21, 2023
We’re accustomed to seeing the powerhouse names of PlayStation Productions LLC and Sony Interactive Entertainment behind blockbuster game development. But sometimes, even the giants like to experiment. Enter Midnight Murder Club, the latest offering from Velan Studios, the team previously known for the vibrant dodgeball arena of Knockout City (published by Electronic Arts).But don’t let initial impressions fool you – this isn’t the typical first-person shooter.
At first glance, Midnight Murder Club might appear to be another FPS title. However, Velan Studios has cleverly subverted expectations, delivering a surprisingly engaging party game experience. The focus isn’t on precision aiming and rapid-fire action, but on strategic interaction and a unique mechanic centered around light and darkness.
the game plunges players into Wormwood Manor,a sprawling,dimly lit villa. Armed with only a revolver, a knife, and crucially, a torch, players navigate the mansion’s shadowy corridors. This is where the core gameplay loop truly shines. The dualism between light and dark isn’t just aesthetic; it’s fundamental to survival.
Turning on your torch illuminates your surroundings, revealing enemy positions and your remaining ammunition. But this visibility comes at a cost – you become a beacon for other players. Conversely, extinguishing the torch plunges you into near-total darkness, forcing you to rely on sound and memory. The screen fades to black, punctuated only by floating dust motes, creating a genuinely tense and atmospheric experience.
Currently, midnight Murder Club offers a limited but varied selection of game modes. Night Shift pits players (and bots) against waves of AI opponents in a frantic race to survive. Multiplayer modes include classic solo and team deathmatch, alongside more inventive options:
* Thief in the Night: Teams of up to two players compete to steal treasures and deposit them in designated chests.
* Head Hunters: One team attempts to destroy skulls while the opposing team defends them.
* Jolly Cards: A team deathmatch with a chaotic twist. Before each match, players select “Jolly Cards” that introduce random modifiers - from giant player heads to disorienting disco lights. The winning team earns cards to unlock new modifiers, adding a layer of strategic customization.
While Midnight Murder Club may not revolutionize the FPS genre, it offers a refreshing and cleverly designed experience. Velan Studios has successfully blended the tension of a horror setting with the lighthearted fun of a party game, creating a title that’s both thrilling and surprisingly social.It will be interesting to see how the developers expand upon this foundation in the future.
Keywords: Midnight Murder Club,Velan Studios,Sony Interactive Entertainment,PlayStation Productions,FPS,Party game,Indie Game,New Release,Game Review,Wormwood Manor,Jolly Cards.
