It's hard to find a person in the world who is at least somewhat familiar with the horror genre and hasn't heard of the slasher film series Terrifier. It's a series of 3 films featuring the recognizable, terrifying villain Art the Clown. As is often the case, it was only a matter of time before we got a video game based on this horror series. And so, 2024 was the year we received Terrifier: The Artcade Game for PC, and in 2025, we got it for consoles. The developers of this game are the independent studio Lunar New Year. The genre is side-scrolling beat 'em up, which literally means fighting while moving in one direction.
And that game is literally that – we move to the right and punch and destroy everything that comes our way. The style of the game is 2D retro pixelated graphics that pay homage to arcade games, but it definitely has the feel and atmosphere of the Terrifier films. In the game, we can take on the role of 4 characters – 3 are surviving characters from the Terrifier films, but the main focus is, of course, on Art the Clown, who is the most fun to play. Local multiplayer can also be played with 4 players at once, so each player can choose a different character to play.
The central mode of the game is Arcade Mode, where we must survive a series of waves of enemies and face bosses, all while being pursued by Art the Clown. The battles take place in locations that faithfully replicate scenes from the films (creepy warehouses, abandoned streets..). The combat system is intuitive and simple, yet very bloody. The main features are "Fatalities" and "Gore Attacks," moves inspired by Art's most shocking murders from the films. It is this graphic violent style that makes this game unique.
Terrifier: The Artcade Game uses a high-resolution pixel art style that perfectly captures the retro arcade era of the 80s and 90s. However, despite the pixelation, the game does not skimp on details when it comes to blood or violence. This is aided by red tones that create a creepy atmosphere. The soundtrack also contributes – synthwave and chill retro music reminiscent of slasher hits from the 80s.
The plot of the game is connected to the films. The inspiration actually comes from the first two Terrifier films, whose scenes are presented in this game in a new context but also in a different, retro-pixelated environment. The Terrifier films are known for their extreme violence, which is also present in this video game. The charm of this game lies in the combination of something we might have thought was incompatible – brutal slasher horror and retro arcade gameplay in a modern edition. The game has received equally good and bad reviews. We find it charming – it has its moments and is definitely fun and addictive.
The game has received positive reactions from horror genre and retro game enthusiasts, but anyone can have fun (even if just for a short while) playing this love letter to arcade games. This game is more than just a simple adaptation – it’s a charming retro treat with brutal murders by the charismatic main character – Art the Clown.
A copy of the PlayStation 5 version for review purposes was provided by the publisher SELECTAVISION, S.L.U.
