killer7 was originally a GameCube and PlayStation 2 game released by Capcom in 2005. I played it back then, but got stuck in the theme park level. It’s since been ported to Windows, and plays brilliantly on the Steam Deck. When the game was released it looked and played unlike anything else, and although it is still an unusual game it stylistically fits in well with a lot of modern indie games.
The game plays like an updated rails shooter, with you holding a button to move forward. You then stop when you hear enemies and enter a first person mode to shoot them, ideally hitting weak spots to get more blood out of them for character upgrades. You can choose paths though, and backtrack on yourself. The game also features simple puzzles a little like Resident Evil.
The story involves conspiracies, ghosts, assassins, and demons. I think there’s a lot more happening in it than people at the time gave it credit for. I seem to remember people just talking about it as if it was weird, but it actually has interesting things to say. The presentation is incredible, it has such a unique atmosphere and sense of style. I wish there were more games that used this as a direct influence, both for its presentation as well as its gameplay.
