How do you play the Killer Klowns from Outer Space game? Illfonic’s asymmetrical multiplayer game is a gaudy and camp blast back to the ‘80s. Think big hair, neon colors, and cheesy voice lines. What could be better?
We’ve spent hours with the horror game, getting to grips with the KKfOS exits, maps, and items, and we have a few tips we wish we’d known when we first started playing Killer Klowns from Outer Space. Despite our glowing KKfOS review, we do acknowledge that some things aren’t explained too well in-game, so hopefully these KKfOS tips can help you win, whichever team you’re on.
Tips for KKfOS Klowns
Hook Cocoons up to Lackey Generators to trigger an early Klownpocalypse
The end of a match is marked by the Klownpocalypse. As horns blare, a bright pink bubble expands across the map, instantly killing any remaining survivors in its wake. When this takes place at the end of the 15-minute timer, Humans have one last chance to get out via the Terenzi Truck. However, if you trigger an early Klownpocalypse, the Terenzi brothers won’t make it in time, guaranteeing the death of any survivors that don’t escape through a standard exit.
To trigger an early Klownpocalypse, the Klowns must hook 16 Cotton Candy cocoons up to Lackey Generators across the map. Thankfully, there are plenty of spare cocoons to be found around the map from the moment a match starts. To get more, you can always envelop Humans in cotton candy instead of choosing to kill them.
Hooking cocoons also generates Lackeys, small Klown allies that roam around the nearby area, grabbing onto any Humans who cross their path and alerting killers to their location. There’s a benefit to hooking cocoons, even if you don’t manage to get all 16. Be warned, Humans can free themselves out of cocoons with sharp weapons.
Listen out for Human voices to locate them
If you’re struggling to locate Human players, it’s worth keeping an ear on the in-game Killer Klowns from Outer Space voice chat. What the other team might not know is that Klowns can hear nearby Humans via proximity chat. Not only does this let you know when Humans are near, but they might also slip up and reveal their escape plans.
Keep an eye out for noise alerts
Similarly, keep an eye out for noise alerts around the map. These come in three forms: white circles, red pulsing circles, and a red exclamation mark. Any of these alerts reveal the location of survivors.
White circles show when a Human is sprinting, but they can also appear if a survivor activates a radio or TV. Meanwhile, red circles give away something that makes a lot of noise. This could be a boat’s motor or a generator, which doesn’t give away the location of a survivor, but it could mean one is near and trying to make their escape.
Finally, the red exclamation mark sign is perhaps the most important noise alert, appearing when a survivor misses a skill check. This shows where they are currently trying to escape from one of the map’s exits. Use your Killer Jump ability to teleport to the location of the sound and interrupt their plans.
Tips for KKfOS Humans
Use the KKfOS Resurrection Machine to bring back teammates
Perhaps the biggest thing to keep in mind when playing as a Human is the Resurrection Machine, a machine that brings all currently dead players back to life. As the Resurrection Machine can only be used once per match, it’s worth keeping an eye on the player list to check how many players are dead. Once a few of your teammates have succumbed to the Klowns, activate the machine to immediately bring them back.
There are two ways to locate the Resurrection Machine no matter where you are. The easiest is the minimap, as the Resurrection Machine appears as a heart marker. Alternatively, if you want to keep your eyes on the game, watch out for a bar of blue light reaching into the sky.
Play minigames to help surviving Humans
If you’re one of the unfortunate dead players and are waiting to be resurrected, you don’t have to sit around twiddling your thumbs. A series of minigames are available to you on the spectator screen, and completing each game gives you an in-game item. You can either keep this item for yourself in case you are resurrected, or you can gift it to the player you are spectating.
Some of the best Killer Klowns from Outer Space items appear as minigames rewards, including shotguns, knives, and keys. These items can be the difference between life and death for players still in the game. If you have managed to escape the trial, you also get to participate in minigames.
Aim for the nose to kill Klowns
In this asymmetrical multiplayer game, you actually have the chance to kill Klowns — sort of. With any weapon, you can hit or shoot a Klown to down them, at which point they’ll sit on the floor in a daze. They’re only down for a few seconds, but this is your chance to take them out — just aim for the nose.
A direct reference to the movie, Klowns can be killed by either shooting or stabbing them in the nose when they are downed. You need a gun or sharp item to do this, not just any melee weapon will do. Killer Klowns aren’t actually dead for good, but killing them does take them out of the trial for 45 seconds.
Manage your inventory well to avoid running into trouble
As a Human, you only have four inventory slots to fill with weapons, escape items, and boosts, so inventory management can get pretty stressful. It’s important to consider your current needs when choosing which items to carry and which to drop.
At the start of the game, you can pick up pretty much anything, but you should prioritize finding a weapon. Escape items such as fuses or keys should be second priority. We always recommend trying to have at least one sharp item on you, as these are your only chance of killing Klowns or escaping from a candy cocoon.
With escape items, you have the choice of using them or keeping them with you, depending on whether you need to free up a slot. By using an item, you risk another player leaving without you if they complete the process. On the plus side, you do get bonus XP for helping a friend. If you hang on to your item, you might find an escape you can use.
As the game progresses, food and stamina become more essential, especially when the Klownpocalypse closes in. At this point, it’s best to have a weapon, a health item, and a couple of cans of soda to boost your stamina for 20 seconds. This lets you run from the killers and towards the final Terenzi Truck escape option once it arrives.
Utilize the Meeting Point to find exits
If you find escape items, it is crucial to know where to head. The game’s exits appear in random locations each match, so you won’t be able to memorize the exits ahead of time.
There are two methods of revealing exit locations: Compasses and the Meeting Point. Compasses can be found at random across the map in the same locations as other items, but they take up a valuable inventory slot. When used, they reveal all available escape locations as long as you are looking at it, but you can use it as many times as you need.
Similarly, all escape locations are revealed to you when you stand in the Meeting Point, and for a few seconds after you leave. The meeting point itself can be found using your minimap, by following the marker showing three busts.
Now you have the Killer Klowns from Outer Space tips we wished we had known at first, you should be well on your way to leveling up fast and unlocking each of the best KKfOS Klown types, weapons, and tricks. This game has solidified itself as one of the best multiplayer games we’ve played this year, and once you’re over the hurdle of getting to know what’s going on, the ‘80s nostalgia is a treat.