Evil Dead: The Game
Asymmetric survival horror set in the Evil Dead universe.
Evil Dead: The Game, an asymmetric survival horror title from 2022, was created by Saber Madrid and put out by Boss Team Games. This entry in the Evil Dead series brings back Bruce Campbell as Ash Williams, with most of the original cast also voicing their characters. It launched on May 13, 2022, for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
Quick Facts
- Developer
- Saber Madrid
- Publisher
- Boss Team Games
- Designer
- Jesús Iglesias, Santiago Cobo Roldán
- Composer
- Joseph LoDuca, Steve Molitz
- Engine
- Unreal Engine 4
- Platforms
- PlayStation 4
- PlayStation 5
- Windows
- Xbox One
- Xbox Series X/S
- Series
- Evil Dead
- Released
- May 13, 2022
Facts from the source article.
Gameplay
Evil Dead: The Game is an asymmetrical multiplayer game featuring both co-operative gameplay and player versus player combat, though the single-player mode requires an internet connection. In the asymmetrical mode, four Survivor players, guided by professor Raymound Knowby, must collect various objects to win. They first locate map pages in a less chaotic area to gather resources, cars, and Pink F upgrades. Then they must acquire the lost pages of the Necronomicon and the Kandarian Dagger in intense combat zones, in either order or simultaneously. After that, they use the dagger against the Dark Ones to start the ritual, and finally protect the Necronomicon for two minutes to seal the Kandarian Demon and win. If a survivor's health depletes, they become downed and need revival by teammates; if the downed timer expires, they die but can be resurrected at altars or upon certain objective completion, though at the Necronomicon ritual phase a downed survivor stays dead for the match. Meanwhile, the Kandarian Demon player, guided by the deadite Linda, tries to hinder survivors and empower themselves. The demon accrues Infernal Energy, sparse on the map but plentiful in combat areas, to perform actions. By attacking and pressuring survivors, the demon levels up to unlock abilities. With enough Infernal Energy, the demon can summon mobs, trap areas and chests, jumpscare survivors to refill energy, control a boss character, or possess various things. Possessing mobs lets the demon attack survivors directly with enhanced stats; possessing cars or objects increases survivor fear. If a survivor's fear is high enough, the demon can possess that survivor to attack teammates. The demon wins if all survivors are downed or dead simultaneously, if the Necronomicon's health is depleted at the finale, or if the initial thirty-minute timer expires (which goes away at the Dark Ones phase).
Post-launch content
After release, Evil Dead: The Game received updates both free and as part of a season pass. On July 13, 2022, the Castle Kandar map based on Army of Darkness was added, along with new outfits for Arthur and Henry. On September 8, 2022, David Allen and Mia Allen from the 2013 film Evil Dead were added, as well as a new class called Plaguebringer based on Army of Darkness. On February 2, 2023, an Ash vs Evil Dead update and the Immortal Power Bundle premium DLC were released, adding Splatter Royale mode where players battle up to 40 Deadites until one remains. The premium bundle included outfits for Ash Williams, Pablo Simon Bolivar, Kelly Maxwell, and the Puppeteer, and added Ruby Knowby. A free update added a new outfit for Pablo Simon Bolivar, the grenade launcher, and the scythe. On March 30, 2023, it was revealed the game would release on Steam on April 26, 2023 with a Game of the Year Edition on consoles including all post-launch DLC. The "Who's Your Daddy" DLC was announced, adding Brock Williams and Baal as playable characters with new outfits for Ash, Pablo, and Amanda Fisher. On September 19, 2023, live content support ceased immediately, though servers were not planned to shut down in the foreseeable future; Saber Interactive did not elaborate, but parent company Embracer Group's restructuring was cited as a possible reason. On March 19, 2024, double experience and Soul Points were permanently enabled.
Marketing
The game was first revealed at The Game Awards on December 10, 2020, with trailers hitting YouTube the same day. Rapper Method Man put out a track called "Come Get Some" for the project, produced by Statik Selektah and featuring his son PXWER alongside U-God's son inTeLL. The song samples Joseph LoDuca's original score and Ash Williams' voice lines, and it was used in the launch trailer that came out on May 14, 2022. Horror effects legend Tom Savini crafted a special Ash skin, which was offered to anyone who preordered the Collector's Edition.
Reception
Evil Dead: The Game received "mixed or average" reviews for the PS5 and Xbox Series X/S versions, while the PC version received "generally favorable" reviews according to Metacritic. OpenCritic assessed fair approval, recommended by 53% of critics. Mark Delaney of GameSpot scored it 6 out of 10, praising faithfulness to the franchise and class-based character design but criticizing slow progression, undeveloped story missions, and unbalanced PvP combat. Jordan Gerblick of GamesRadar+ commended approachability, graphics, and homages while noting lack of content, difficulty in single-player missions, and few traversal options. Travis Northup of IGN gave 8 out of 10, calling it an awesome asymmetric multiplayer game better than expected despite frustrating lack of polish and being light on maps and modes. Hardcore Gamer appreciated visuals, atmosphere, fluid combat, strategy, online play, and fan service, with minor issues about redundant audio and lack of content. VG247 rated 4 stars out of 5, stating it is a good time but horror fans without affinity for the series may find more fun in alternative multiplayer horror games. The game sold 500,000 units in five days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who directed Evil Dead: The Game?
Evil Dead: The Game was directed by Jesús Iglesias, Jules Faivre and Marcos Falcón Pérez.
Who designed Evil Dead: The Game?
Evil Dead: The Game was designed by Jesús Iglesias and Santiago Cobo Roldán.
Who composed the music for Evil Dead: The Game?
The music for Evil Dead: The Game was composed by Joseph LoDuca and Steve Molitz.
What engine does Evil Dead: The Game use?
Evil Dead: The Game runs on Unreal Engine 4.
More in PlayStation 4 Game Library
Spotted an error? Know more?
Reader corrections go straight into our review queue. Suggest an edit · How this site is sourced