Updated
Updated · Kotaku · Jun 10
Killer Bean Draws Scathing Steam Early Access Review After 3-Year Hype Cycle
Updated
Updated · Kotaku · Jun 10

Killer Bean Draws Scathing Steam Early Access Review After 3-Year Hype Cycle

2 articles · Updated · Kotaku · Jun 10

Summary

  • Steam Early Access release Killer Bean is panned as a buggy, dull shooter whose first mission can break, forcing players to skip ahead from the main menu.
  • Enemy AI remains a central complaint despite a recent patch, with foes reportedly freezing, losing track of the player easily, and swarming in waves that make bullet time feel mandatory.
  • Gunplay, driving and level design also take hits: weapons feel weak and slow to reload, vehicles handle poorly, and the open world is described as large but empty.
  • Jeff Lew’s solo-developed game had built momentum since a 2023 teaser drew millions of views and a 2024 Summer Game Fest showing promised open-world chaos, first- and third-person combat, and Max Payne-style bullet time.
  • The review says that ambition is visible but not enough at launch, arguing the game may improve with updates but is currently not worth buying.

Insights

Can a solo developer salvage a game so broken players are warned to 'stay away'?
What turns a cult classic animation into a game criticized as a 'boring slog'?