Evil Dead: The Game Explained

Evil Dead: The Game
Developer:Saber Interactive
Publisher:Boss Team Games
Engine:Unreal Engine 4[1]
Series:Evil Dead
Released:May 13, 2022
Genre:Survival horror
Modes:Multiplayer

Evil Dead: The Game is a 2022 asymmetric survival horror game developed by Saber Interactive and published by Boss Team Games.[2] It is part of the Evil Dead franchise.[3] It features Bruce Campbell as Ash Williams, along with most of the original cast reprising their roles.[4]

Evil Dead: The Game was released for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S on May 13, 2022.[5] A version for the Nintendo Switch was planned, but cancelled in September 2023 along with live content support for the game. It received mixed reviews from critics and sold 500,000 units.

Gameplay

Evil Dead: The Game is an asymmetrical multiplayer game. The game features both co-operative gameplay and player versus player (PvP) combat, although the single-player mode requires an internet connection to be played.[6] The game features a level-up system, as well as skill tree mechanics.[7] It features multiple maps, including the cabin in the woods from the Evil Dead film series, along with over 25 weapons, including Ash's chainsaw and boomstick.[8] The game features four playable survivor classes (Leaders, Warriors, Hunters and Supports), and five playable demons (the Warlord, the Puppeteer, the Necromancer, the Plaguebringer and The Schemer).[9] [10]

Post-launch content

After the release of Evil Dead: The Game, various updates were included either for free or as part of a season pass. On July 13, 2022, the Castle Kandar map, based upon Army of Darkness, was added, alongside new outfits for Arthur and Henry.[11] On September 8, 2022, David Allen and Mia Allen, characters from the 2013 film, Evil Dead, were added to the game.[12] [13] [14] As well as the new characters, a new class, known as Plaguebringer, based upon Army of Darkness, was added on the same day.[15]

On February 2, 2023, an Ash vs Evil Dead update and the Immortal Power Bundle, a premium downloadable content pack, were released. With those content additions, Splatter Royale, a game mode that features players battling up to 40 Deadites until only one player remains, was added. The premium bundle includes outfits for Ash Williams, Pablo Simon Bolivar, Kelly Maxwell and the Puppeteer. The premium bundle added Ruby Knowby. As part of the free update, a new outfit for Pablo Simon Bolivar was added alongside the grenade launcher and the scythe, two new weapons.[16] [17] [18] [19]

On March 30, 2023, it was revealed that Evil Dead: The Game would be released on Steam on April 26, 2023 with a Game of the Year Edition that would be released on consoles, including all post-launch DLC up until that date. It was announced that "Who’s Your Daddy", a downloadable content pack, would be released and would include Brock Williams and Baal as playable characters alongside new outfits for Ash, Pablo and Amanda Fisher.[20]

On September 19, 2023, it was announced that live content support for Evil Dead: The Game would cease immediately, although there were no plans to shut down servers in the "foreseeable future". Saber Interactive did not elaborate on the decision, but the large-scale restructuring program of parent company Embracer Group was named as a possible reason.[21]

On March 19, 2024, it was announced that Evil Dead: The Game had enabled double experience and Soul Points permanently.[22]

Marketing

Evil Dead: The Game was announced at The Game Awards on December 10, 2020. Reveal trailers were uploaded to YouTube that same day.[23] [24]

American rapper Method Man released a song, "Come Get Some", in a collaboration with the game; the song is produced by Statik Selektah, and features verses from Method Man's son PXWER and U-God's son inTeLL.[25] It contains samples of the original The Evil Dead score by Joseph LoDuca and lines spoken by Ash Williams. The song is featured in the game's launch trailer, which was released on May 14, 2022.[26] [27]

Special effects artist Tom Savini designed an exclusive Ash skin that was given to players who preorder the Collector's Edition of the game.[28]

Reception

Critical reception

Evil Dead: The Game received "mixed or average" reviews from critics for the PS5 and Xbox Series X/S versions, while the PC version received "generally favorable" reviews, according to review aggregator website Metacritic.

Mark Delaney of GameSpot gave the game a score of 6 out of 10, praising its faithfulness to the Evil Dead franchise and class-based character design while criticizing the progression as slow, story missions as undeveloped, and PvP combat as unbalanced. Jordan Gerblick of GamesRadar+ commended the game's approachability, graphics, and homages made to the franchise while taking issue with the lack of content, difficulty in single-player missions, and the lack of more traversal options. Travis Northup of IGN gave the game 8 out of 10, writing, "Evil Dead: The Game is an awesome asymmetric multiplayer game that, like its source material, is far better than it has any right to be given its frustrating lack of polish and being somewhat light on maps and modes." Hardcore Gamer appreciated the game's visuals, atmosphere, fluid combat, strategy, online play, and fanservice material while taking minor issues with the redundant audio and lack of content. VG247 rated the game 4 stars out of 5 and stated, "Evil Dead: The Game is a good time... however, horror fans without an affinity towards the series will likely find more fun in alternative multiplayer horror games, and they'll probably find more accessibility-friendly games, too."

Sales

Evil Dead: The Game sold 500,000 units in five days since release.[29]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Evil Dead: The Game leverages its film and TV roots to great success. 2022-07-27. 2022-09-05. Unreal Engine. 2022-07-27. https://web.archive.org/web/20220727150544/https://www.unrealengine.com/en-US/developer-interviews/evil-dead-the-game-leverages-its-film-and-tv-roots-to-great-success. live.
  2. Web site: Evil Dead: The Game reunites Ash and friends for co-op deadite slaughter in 2021. Sheridan. Connor. December 10, 2020. GamesRadar+. December 10, 2020. December 11, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201211015641/https://www.gamesradar.com/evil-dead-the-game-reunites-ash-and-friends-for-co-op-deadite-slaughter-in-2021/. live.
  3. Evil Dead: The Game Launches In 2021. Shea. Brian. December 10, 2020. Game Informer. December 10, 2020. December 11, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201211014221/https://www.gameinformer.com/the-game-awards-2020/2020/12/10/evil-dead-the-game-launches-in-2021. dead.
  4. Web site: [TGA 2020] Bruce Campbell Returns as Ash in 'Evil Dead: The Game']. Wilson. Mike. December 10, 2020. Bloody Disgusting. December 10, 2020. December 11, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201211013508/https://bloody-disgusting.com/video-games/3644470/tga-2020-bruce-campbell-returns-ash-evil-dead-game/. live.
  5. Web site: Evil Dead The Game: Star deutet Release des Multiplayer-Horrors für Anfang 2022 an. July 20, 2021. July 20, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210720154224/https://www.play3.de/2021/07/13/evil-dead-the-game-star-deutet-release-des-multiplayer-horrors-fuer-anfang-2022-an/. live.
  6. Web site: Evil Dead: The Game Download. Sirani. PS Store. April 2022. PlayStation Store. April 7, 2022. May 9, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220509074306/https://store.playstation.com/en-gb/concept/10002761. live.
  7. Evil Dead: The Game is a third-person shooter coming next year. Fenlon. Wes. December 10, 2020. PC Gamer. December 10, 2020. December 11, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201211021643/https://www.pcgamer.com/evil-dead-the-game-is-a-third-person-shooter-coming-next-year/. live.
  8. Web site: Evil Dead: The Game Announced. Sirani. Jordan. December 10, 2020. IGN. December 10, 2020. December 11, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201211020339/https://www.ign.com/articles/evil-dead-the-game-announced. live.
  9. Evil Dead: The Game – Meet The Demons. Daniel. Tack. Game Informer. April 13, 2022. April 22, 2022. April 22, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220422125455/https://www.gameinformer.com/2022/04/13/evil-dead-the-game-meet-the-demons. dead.
  10. Evil Dead: The Game – Meet The Survivors. Daniel. Tack. Game Informer. April 13, 2022. April 22, 2022. April 22, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220422125456/https://www.gameinformer.com/2022/04/13/evil-dead-the-game-meet-the-survivors. dead.
  11. Web site: 'Evil Dead: The Game' DLC Review – Castle Kandar Map and Quality of Life Improvements. Bloody Disgusting. Brandon. Trush. July 25, 2022. August 25, 2022. July 17, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230717221715/https://bloody-disgusting.com/video-games/3724397/castle-kandar-map-evil-dead-the-game-dlc-update-review/. live.
  12. Web site: 'Evil Dead: The Game' – News About the Next DLC Update Coming Soon. Bloody Disgusting. John. Squires. August 11, 2022. August 25, 2022. August 24, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220824085618/https://bloody-disgusting.com/video-games/3726886/evil-dead-the-game-news-about-the-next-dlc-update-coming-soon/. live.
  13. Web site: 'Evil Dead: The Game' Update: Remake's Mia Allen Becomes a Playable Survivor in September!. Bloody Disgusting. John. Squires. August 16, 2022. August 25, 2022. August 25, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220825185449/https://bloody-disgusting.com/video-games/3727548/evil-dead-the-game-update-remakes-mia-allen-becomes-a-playable-survivor-in-september/. live.
  14. Web site: 'Evil Dead: The Game' – Remake Character David Allen Joining Mia as a Playable Survivor!. Bloody Disgusting. John. Squires. August 25, 2022. August 25, 2022. August 25, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220825184049/https://bloody-disgusting.com/video-games/3729003/evil-dead-the-game-remake-character-david-allen-joining-mia-as-a-playable-survivor/. live.
  15. Web site: 'Evil Dead: The Game' – New 'Army of Darkness' Demon Class Coming in September!. Bloody Disgusting. John. Squires. August 19, 2022. August 25, 2022. August 25, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220825185446/https://bloody-disgusting.com/video-games/3728199/evil-dead-the-game-new-army-of-darkness-demon-class-coming-in-september/. live.
  16. Web site: 'Evil Dead: The Game' – "Ash vs. Evil Dead" DLC Update Coming Early Next Year. Bloody Disgusting. John. Squires. December 21, 2022. January 19, 2023. January 20, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230120024244/https://bloody-disgusting.com/video-games/3744574/evil-dead-the-game-ash-vs-evil-dead-dlc-update-coming-early-next-year/. live.
  17. Web site: 'Evil Dead: The Game' – Ruby from "Ash vs. Evil Dead" Joins the Team Next Month!. Bloody Disgusting. John. Squires. January 19, 2023. January 19, 2023. January 19, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230119190825/https://bloody-disgusting.com/video-games/3747757/evil-dead-the-game-ruby-from-ash-vs-evil-dead-joins-the-team-next-month/. live.
  18. Web site: Splatter Royale Arrives Later This Week For 'Evil Dead: The Game'. Bloody Disgusting. Mike. Wilson. January 31, 2023. January 31, 2023. January 31, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230131143730/https://bloody-disgusting.com/video-games/3749305/splatter-royale-arrives-later-this-week-for-evil-dead-the-game/. live.
  19. Web site: 'Evil Dead: The Game' – Premium "Ash vs. Evil Dead" Outfits Arriving Ahead of Free Release on PlayStation Plus. Bloody Disgusting. Meagan. Navarro. February 1, 2023. February 1, 2023. February 1, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230201191750/https://bloody-disgusting.com/video-games/3749512/evil-dead-the-game-premium-ash-vs-evil-dead-outfits-arriving-ahead-of-free-release-on-playstation-plus/. live.
  20. Web site: 'Evil Dead: The Game – Game of the Year Edition' Announced for PC and Consoles, Includes New "Ash vs. Evil Dead" DLC. Mike. Wilson. March 30, 2023. March 30, 2023. March 30, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230330130336/https://bloody-disgusting.com/video-games/3756587/evil-dead-the-game-game-of-the-year-edition-announced-for-pc-and-consoles-includes-new-ash-vs-evil-dead-dlc/. live.
  21. Web site: Evil Dead: The Game Not Making New Updates, Switch Version Canceled. Jordan. Sirani. September 20, 2023. September 26, 2023. IGN. en. September 26, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230926094424/https://www.ign.com/articles/evil-dead-the-game-not-making-new-updates-switch-version-canceled. live.
  22. Web site: 'Evil Dead: The Game' – Developers Announce Double XP & Soul Points FOREVER… Starting NOW!. Bloody Disgusting. John. Squires. March 19, 2024. March 19, 2024. March 19, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240319184320/https://bloody-disgusting.com/video-games/3804935/evil-dead-the-game-developers-announce-double-xp-soul-points-forever-starting-now/. live.
  23. December 10, 2020. Evil Dead: The Game - The Game Awards 2020: Reveal Trailer PS5, PS4. December 10, 2020. PlayStation on YouTube.
  24. December 10, 2020. Evil Dead: The Game - Reveal Trailer. December 10, 2020. Xbox on YouTube.
  25. Web site: Method Man releases new song 'Come Get Some' for 'Evil Dead: The Game'. Conlan. Daniel. May 6, 2022. NME. May 22, 2022. May 22, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220522052302/https://www.nme.com/news/gaming-news/method-man-releases-new-song-come-get-some-for-evil-dead-the-game-3220254. live.
  26. May 14, 2022. Evil Dead: The Game Launch Trailer. May 22, 2022. Saber Interactive on YouTube.
  27. Web site: Evil Dead: The Game Receives New Gore Filled Launch Trailer. Gameranx. Jordan. Biazzo. May 13, 2022. February 2, 2023. February 2, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230202231311/https://gameranx.com/updates/id/303323/article/evil-dead-the-game-launch-trailer-released-watch-here/. live.
  28. Web site: Wilson . Mike . 2022-02-08 . 'Evil Dead: The Game' Collector's Edition Includes Savini Ash Skin and More; Pre-Order Now! . 2022-06-01 . Bloody Disgusting! . en-US . 2022-06-09 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220609102139/https://bloody-disgusting.com/video-games/3702564/evil-dead-the-game-collectors-edition-includes-savini-ash-skin-and-more-pre-order-now/ . live .
  29. Web site: Peppiatt. Dom. May 19, 2022. Evil Dead: The Game sells 500,000 units in under a week – perfect timing for Embracer Group. May 21, 2022. VG247. September 26, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220926055632/https://www.vg247.com/evil-dead-the-game-sales-week-one. live.

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