Is Clive Barker's Jericho Worth Playing Today?
Clive Barker's Jericho is worth a look mainly for horror fans who love Barker's dark world. Its critic scores are mixed, and its shooting feels dated, so it is a narrower pick than it first appears.
In this article
Clive Barker's Jericho is worth playing mainly if you love Clive Barker's dark horror and old-school squad shooters.
Critics were split on it, so it is not a must-play for everyone [1]. One GameFAQs reviewer put it bluntly: it is only worth a playthrough if you are a hardcore Clive Barker fan [2]. That is a harsh line, but it captures who the game is really for.
Expect a squad-based shooter with tons of enemies coming from all sides, plus occasional cutscenes, simple puzzles and boss battles [3]. Read straight through, or jump to the part that matters most to you.
Why do critics disagree about it?
Critics were split on Jericho, and the scores sit in the middle rather than at either end. On Metacritic, the game has a Metascore of Mixed or Average, based on 46 critic reviews [1]. A middle score means you will find both strong praise and clear complaints.
The game was released on Oct 23, 2007 [1]. It is rated M for Mature [1], so think about whether that suits the player you have in mind.
Players landed in roughly the same place. A GameFAQs PS3 rating of 63% from 46 votes shows the same middling reception [2]. When both groups land in the middle, the game is best judged by whether its style suits you, and the rest of this article looks at exactly that.
What is the game actually like to play?
Clive Barker's Jericho is a squad-based shooter, but it is not really a tactical action game. You command a team, yet most of the time you are moving from one fight to the next rather than planning each move. [3] You may also find this useful: Clive Barker's Jericho Walkthrough.
Each section of the game pushes you forward to fight another wave of monsters. Between those fights you get the occasional cutscene, a simple puzzle here and there, and some big boss battles. [3]
Think of it as a throwback. Enemies come at you from all sides, much like older shooters such as Doom and MDK, but the lighting, motion blur and detailed models look far more modern. [3]
Who is most likely to enjoy Jericho?
Clive Barker fans are the group this game suits best. A GameFAQs reviewer put it bluntly: it is only worth a play through if you are a hardcore Clive Barker fan [2].
Steam players who enjoy the setting may find more to like. One user wrote, "It's a great game. Very atmospheric with a good story, and the powers make it quite different to most FPS games" [4]. For a player who wants that mix, the powers are the part that sets it apart.
If you want dark, bloody atmosphere more than scares, this is your game. The Gamecritics review puts it plainly: it's not really scary–just very dark and bloody [3]. That means the gore and mood carry the experience, not tension. Horror fans who need jump scares should look elsewhere.
When should you skip it?
Skip Clive Barker's Jericho if you aren't a Barker fan. One GameFAQs reviewer wrote that it is only worth playing if you are a hardcore Clive Barker fan, and that otherwise there is zero reason to touch it [2].
Skip it too if you want scares. The game comes from a horror writer, but it's not really scary, just dark and bloody [3]. Its heavy firepower takes the tension out of each fight. Legions of the undead just don't seem as horrifying when their heads can be popped off with a minigun [3].
Tactical players should pass as well. It's a squad-based shooter, but it's not a tactical action game [3]. Its formula is ridiculously simple, so careful planning will feel thin.
What should you do next?
Play it if Barker's dark world and old-school, monster-filled shooters appeal to you. If you enjoyed Doom or MDK, you will recognize the idea: enemies come at you from every side, and you keep pushing forward. [3]
Pick something else if you want scares, deep tactics or a modern shooter with a tight tactical focus. The game is more dark and bloody than frightening, and its formula is simple. [3] If you need careful planning in every fight, a squad game built around tactics will serve you better.
Before you buy, check the current platform and price details on the official store page, since both can change.
The bottom line on Jericho
Jericho is worth your time if you are a Clive Barker fan or enjoy dark, dated-but-fun squad shooters. Its waves of monsters, strange powers and gory atmosphere are the parts that stick with you, even though the formula feels old. If that is your taste, it makes a solid pick for a few evenings. For more detail, see Clive Barker's Jericho Tips for Beginners.
Skip it if you want a tactical game or real scares. Its squad play is simpler than a tight tactical shooter, and it leans more bloody than frightening. Think of it as a loud, grim romp rather than a horror classic. Your next step: if Barker's world sounds like your kind of fun, play the first few chapters and see whether the monsters keep you hooked.