If you thought John Carpenter had directed a film called Toxic Commando, you’re not alone; it’s a common misconception, likely a blend of 1984’s The Toxic Avenger and the renowned director’s body of work. In reality, John Carpenter’s Toxic Commando is a video game born from Saber’s ingenuity, combining two distinctive elements from their catalog: the frantic action against zombie hordes in the style of World War Z and the heavy vehicle mud racing characteristic of Mudrunner.
The unique touch of this project is the active participation of John Carpenter himself, who has overseen the narrative and provided valuable feedback on the game’s structure. The work is a clear, often explicit, tribute to his masterpieces such as Escape from New York, They Live, Prince of Darkness, and Big Trouble in Little China.
More broadly, the game is conceived as a comprehensive homage to 1980s genre cinema (with references extending even to Lamberto Bava’s Demoni), so much so that Carpenter’s involvement also extends to the soundtrack.