The Evil Dead – Game Review
Hail to the King, baby. The Evil Dead series remains one of the most beloved cult film series, thanks to Sam Raimi’s distinctive style and vision, and Bruce Campbell’s iconic performance as hero Ash Williams. Starting in 1981 with low-budget franchise-launcher The Evil Dead and followed by two sequels, a reboot, and a TV series, the Deadites have been around for a long time – so it’s only natural that they should make their move to gaming.
The result is one of the most faithful and authentic film-to-game adaptations yet, perfectly capturing everything that made the films – and indeed TV series – so good, while adding an immersive spin on it allowing players to truly step into this darkly comical and twisted world. The game’s structure is simple – much like Dead by Daylight and Friday the 13th, the game is an asymmetrical multiplayer survival horror title that puts players either in a team of four survivors or in control of a bloodthirsty demon. Featuring both cooperative and PvP gameplay with the usual level-up system and skill tree mechanics, the game’s structure and delivery might not feel hugely original – but the atmosphere and feel of the game is distinctly Evil Dead.
With playable characters from across the series and Easter Eggs galore in dialogue and familiar locations and weapons, the game is an absolute delight for fans of the series. The gameplay itself is a treat too – being able to fly around the map in first-person as a demon and taking control of evil trees and spawning deadites is such a thrill, while it goes without saying that hacking creatures apart with Ash’s trademark chainsaw arm is nothing short of groovy.
Combat feels fluid and smooth, while the strategy that comes along with being a demon and playing evil tricks on survivors feels well-orchestrated and full of opportunity for diversifying one’s approach to victory. This is one of those “quick to learn, long to master” games.
The game looks and sounds stunning, too – the graphics are fantastic, while the voices of Bruce Campbell and co lend a further authenticity to the experience. And it is this authenticity that truly allows the title to succeed. This is a game that has been built from the ground up with such a genuine passion for the source material that is felt across the visuals, gameplay, atmosphere – everything. It’s so rare to find a film-to-game adaptation with this level of respect for its subject, and that alone earns it a high recommendation. The fact that it is a genuinely solid multiplayer game on its own merit is a bonus.
The Evil Dead promises further DLC and updates down the line, so it’s only going to get better. Will The Evil Dead become the new definitive asymmetrical horror multiplayer game? Time will tell, but honestly, I wouldn’t be surprised. This one is an absolute must-play for fans of the films, and of multiplayer gaming in general. Hail to the King, indeed!
THE EVIL DEAD: THE GAME IS OUT NOW
