The Killer is Dead is an action game not a sequel to Killer7 or the No More Heroes series by the same developers. However, it does share characteristics such as violent action, a main character carrying a katana as the primary weapon, assassins as a significant motif, and a cel-shaded graphic style. The game is separated into 12 chapters set in various locales worldwide, with Mondo Zappa as the primary character. He works as a contract executioner for the Bryan Execution Firm. The game occurs in the future when Mondo is hired to kill cyborgs and assassins. Before each mission, a brief description of the objective is displayed against a globe map, and frequently animated sequences develop the tale between fights. Completing a vital goal usually unlocks several subsidiary tasks.
The main character uses his right hand to attack and deflect shots with a katana named Gekkou. It absorbs blood, filling a meter and improving Mondo’s fighting abilities. Combos boost attack speed, and a moon slash can be used as a strong attack. Musselback is the name given to his left arm’s cybernetic modification. It can be used for various activities, all of which require enemy blood. It is also used to solve puzzles and locate remote regions, giving the arm four functions. Mondo may transform it into a normal human hand to decode fingerprint codes or a ranged sub-weapon that blasts projectiles. To block and dodge, separate buttons are utilized. Defeated opponents leave behind body parts that can be used to regenerate health and blood. Yellow moon crystals can be collected to improve skills, and health gems can increase the maximum health level.
Mondo is paid after each mission based on his performance. It is calculated using statistics such as his completion score, total damage bonus, rescue payment, toughness payment, total excellent kills bonus, execution time or guard break payment, and overall rating. Upgrades obtained by moon crystals are divided into three categories: attack skills, sub-weapon skills, and special skills, with each type acquired progressively and with a defined progression. Different costumes for various characters can be equipped (when unlocked) in the main office, and there is a gift shop where cash can be spent on multiple products. One of these is Mika’s tickets, which have his assistant Mika come to Mondo’s rescue when he dies, allowing him to continue.
There’s also a mini-game in which Mondo tries to seduce women by photographing them wearing Gigolo spectacles. Sexy images can be taken to produce moans of ecstasy and momentarily remove certain clothes. They also indicate their desires, such as the type of gifts they enjoy, by timing when they are looking away and targeting specific regions. Filling a guts gauge must be done at the right time, or Mondo may feel uneasy.
At the debut, the retail US edition was offered as a premium edition (not with a different title) with additional content:* An art book.
- The Killer is Dead: Smooth Operator DLC includes Gigolo Glasses that offer X-ray vision during Gigolo missions.
- Other Vivienne and Mika costumes
Betty’s extra Gigolo mission
The extra episode “Episode 51 – The Man Who Stole Blood” features the vampire Sebastian.
The killer is Dead: Nightmare Edition for PC contains the Smooth Operator DLC, a new Nightmare difficulty setting with limited attacks, and a theater option to re-watch cut-scenes.
