Gamescom was filled with some big reveals, and zombie lovers finally got a fresh look at John Carpenter's Toxic Commando. As a die-hard fan of John Carpenter's work, I've been intrigued by this title since it was originally announced at Summer Game Fest back in 2023. John Carptenter's Toxic Commando is entering a difficult genre, though, as first-person zombie shooters aren't exactly anything new. However, the new trailer hints at a secret weapon that could help the project stand out.
In traditional John Carpenter fashion, Toxic Commando looks like an entertaining romp drenched in B-movie-inspired over-the-top action. With a genre as popular as online co-op FPS, games under this umbrella need a special spice, and the outlandish cheesiness being teased for Toxic Commando may just do the trick.
John Carpenter's Toxic Commando has yet to lock in an official release date, but developer Saber Interactive has at least confirmed an early 2026 launch target.
John Carpenter's Toxic Commando Brings B-Movie Power Fantasy Front and Center
Dropping Macho Action Heroes in the Middle of a Zombie Apocalypse
The description of Toxic Commando on the game's official Steam page already reads like the back of an old VHS that one fondly remembers from a childhood sleepover. "In the near future, an experimental attempt to harness the power of the Earth’s core ends in a terrifying disaster: the release of the Sludge God. This eldritch abomination begins terraforming the area, turning the soil to scum and the living… to undead monsters!" Toxic Commando will have plenty of competition on the horizon, but its embrace of the cheesy horror-action flicks of the 80s gives the project its own unique identity.
While watching the Gamescom trailer for Toxic Commando, I could feel myself grinning from ear to ear. The footage is complete with zombie hordes being gunned down, alien-like plants, one-liners that are oozing with cheesiness, and a group dynamic that drives home the classic buddy movie trope. It's clear that Toxic Commando doesn't take itself too seriously, and that's honestly what excites me the most.
John Carpenter is an avid gamer, with some of his favorites being the Horizon franchise, Borderlands, Jak and Daxter, Fallout 76, and The Last of Us.
Toxic Commando Still Has an Uphill Battle Ahead
Even with its charming approach to the FPS co-op zombie formula, the game still needs to ensure potential players that there will be plenty of post-launch content to keep the game running for years to come. It doesn't necessarily have to take on a live-service model with microtransactions, but a proposed first-year roadmap ahead of its release could help draw in gamers who have yet to be sold on its premise.
In the near future, an experimental attempt to harness the power of the Earth’s core ends in a terrifying disaster: the release of the Sludge God.
Early 2026 Puts Toxic Commando in a Tough Spot
This year is already jam-packed with major releases, so it's not surprising that the game has been pushed back to 2026. However, 2026's schedule is beginning to take shape, and a juggernaut waits on the horizon. Resident Evil: Requiem is obviously a major highlight, but the imminent arrival of GTA 6 is bound to overshadow almost every other game; even those that launch beforehand.
As of now, GTA 6 is slated to launch on May 26, 2026, but this could potentially change, as it's already been pushed back once.
Toxic Commando may only get a few months, or even weeks, in the spotlight before GTA 6 takes up most of the space. Of course, there are still likely plenty of passionate zombie fans (like myself) that are eager to bounce back and forth between both games. Only time will tell, but Toxic Commando can hopefully deliver its horror-action-inspired tone with a powerful punch.
- Released
- March 12, 2026
- Developer(s)
- Saber Interactive
- Publisher(s)
- Focus Entertainment
- Engine
- Swarm Engine
- Multiplayer
- Online Co-Op
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- First-Person Shooter, Zombie, Action
