“Terrifier: The ARTcade Game” Review by Nick Navarro
When I first loaded up “Terrifier: The ARTcade Game,” I genuinely believed I was about to dive into a fun, blood-splattered tribute to Art the Clown and the over-the-top brutality that defines the films. A retro beat ’em up seems like a unique match for the franchise: exaggerated violence, a darkly comedic edge, and endless opportunities for carnage. But after spending time with Relevo’s adaptation, it didn’t take long for my excitement to drift into disappointment as the foundation of what makes a great beat ’em up never fully clicks into place.
Right away, the game’s visual identity felt spot-on. The pixel art is bright and expressive, leaning into a cartoonish interpretation of the Terrifier universe that still manages to capture the grisly nature of the films. Animations are smooth and surprisingly detailed, and every swing, slice, and splatter is presented with a certain charm that fits an arcade-inspired experience. At first glance, it looks like exactly the kind of game a modern horror icon like Art the Clown should be starring in. The concept itself is a fun one: each level acts as a movie set where a new Art the Clown film is being produced, and you crash the production in the most chaotic ways possible. The setup gives the game room to play with environments and visual gags, and it works on a thematic level. There’s clear affection for the films, and fans will immediately recognize certain references sprinkled throughout the stages. On paper, everything seems to line up for a blood-drenched love letter to the series.
Unfortunately, the core gameplay struggles to hold everything together. The moment-to-moment combat feels disconnected in a way that becomes noticeable almost instantly. Attacks don’t flow with the weight or responsiveness that a beat ’em up absolutely depends on, leaving fights feeling loose and awkward instead of satisfying. That lack of impact makes it hard to enjoy even the more exaggerated moves or the comedic gore, because the basic rhythm of chaining together hits never finds a comfortable groove. Movement itself adds to the frustration. Instead of the genre-standard double-tap dash, the game maps running to the left bumper (L1), and there’s no option to rebind the controls. It’s the kind of limitation that might seem minor at first, but in a game where positioning and spacing matter, it quickly becomes a constant nuisance. I kept instinctively trying to dash with a double-tap out of habit, only to remember that the game simply doesn’t allow it, a decision that feels surprisingly restrictive for such a well-established genre.
Even though the combat never feels as tight as it should, the game does try to offer variety through its selection of modes. There’s a story mode, a more traditional arcade mode, a wave-based survival mode, and a few others that attempt to mix things up. I appreciated the effort to avoid a one-and-done structure, and it’s clear that Relevo wanted to provide plenty of options for players looking to spend extra time unlocking everything. Sadly, the underlying combat never evolves enough for those modes to feel meaningfully different in practice. The soundtrack also becomes a problem over time. While some tracks start off catchy, they begin looping very quickly, and being stuck on a stage for a while exposes how repetitive they really are. The chiptune style matches the retro aesthetic, but the actual compositions aren’t memorable enough to sustain the constant repetition. After a few levels, I found myself mentally tuning the music out, which isn’t a great sign for a game anchored in arcade energy.
The inclusion of local co-op for up to four players is a nice touch, and I can see how the chaos of multiple players swinging around chainsaws and cleavers could add some entertainment value. But even with friends, the shallow combat eventually becomes hard to ignore. Cooperative play can elevate almost any beat ’em up, and while it does add some life here, it doesn’t fix the underlying issues. What stings the most is that I genuinely looked forward to this game since it was announced. Art the Clown is one of horror’s modern breakout icons, and this could have been an opportunity to extend the character’s personality into gaming in a way that felt fresh and exciting. Instead, “Terrifier: The ARTcade Game” ends up feeling like an unpolished novelty that never reaches the potential of its premise. The fun ideas are there, but the execution keeps them buried under stiff combat, odd control decisions, and a general lack of refinement.
Even as a massive fan of horror games and someone who appreciates when niche franchises get unexpected adaptations, I can’t easily recommend this one. The genre has seen excellent entries in recent years, and this game struggles to stand alongside any of them. For fans of the films, it’s even more disappointing because Art the Clown deserved a showcase that captures his chaotic appeal with far more confidence and creativity. In the end, “Terrifier: The ARTcade Game” isn’t the celebration of the franchise I hoped for. Instead, it lands as a flat and forgettable adaptation that never gives its source material the justice it deserves.
6/10
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Gaming since I was given an original Nintendo as a kid. I love great storytelling and unique ingenuity. When both collide in a single game, I'm a happy gamer. Twitter/IG @NickNavarro87
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