Killer Frequency is a game where you have to stop a serial killer as they terrorize a small town. You play as Forrest Nash, a late-night radio DJ who unexpectedly takes on the role of 911 dispatcher when emergency calls are routed to the radio station. You field calls, talking with people who are being hunted by the so-called Whistling Man, and help them make decisions that could save their lives — or doom them.
This was an enjoyable first-person horror game with a cool 1980s aesthetic. The whole thing takes place in and immediately outside the radio station over a single night, which provides a creepy feeling of isolation. That doesn’t prevent the world from feeling fleshed-out, though: En route to solving the mystery, you get acquainted with the layout of the town of Gallows Creek, its various businesses and landmarks, and the locals who call in with tips or in need of help. You even get a sense of the town’s history as you piece together who is responsible for the murders, and what is motivating them.
In addition to solving the mystery, you also need to perform your DJ duties, which involve periodically swapping records on the turntable and loading cassettes to play advertisements. While I liked those elements — the synth-heavy music really contributed to the 80s vibes! — the controls were super clunky, and I guess that’s because Killer Frequency started its life as a VR game. I played on Switch, and using the analog sticks to position a record on the platter was easily the worst part of the game for me.
Overall, the game felt a lot like Firewatch — the isolation, the mystery, and the first-person POV. While I didn’t manage to save everyone from the Whistling Man — and there’s one victim I really regret — I still really enjoyed my time as a mystery-solving DJ at KFAM.