Evil Dead: This horror game could fulfil all my fan dreams – except for one

Vali is a Dance of the Devils fan through and through. So he’s looking forward to Evil Dead by the World War Z makers like a hawk. But there is one aspect he doesn’t find groovy at all.

The 13th of May 2022 will be like Christmas for me And there’s a very simple reason for that: the latest adaptation of one of my all-time favourite franchises, Evil Dead: The Game, is coming out. And I’m actually looking forward to that more than upcoming content on Star Wars, Marvel or even Mad Max – no nonsense.

Yes, the mix of horror and comedy with which director Sam Raimi brought about a small cinema revolution in 1981 is actually older than I am. But that doesn’t diminish the enthusiasm I feel for Dance of the Devils. On the contrary: as with RoboCop, I love the bitterly wicked humour, the handmade effects and the hard-hitting action that 80s cinema displayed. And then, of course, there’s the fantastic acting of B-movie legend Bruce Campbell.

But back to Evil Dead: The latest multiplayer game from World War Z makers Saber Interactive makes fan dreams come true for me. However, despite all the anticipation, I have one big problem with the title. And this despite the fact that even Bruce Campbell is returning against all expectations after actually wanting to retire Ash Williams. Because Evil Dead is something I actually want to experience on my own and not bring extra friends along.

What kind of game will Evil Dead be?

Evil Dead: The Game will be an asymmetrical multiplayer game based on Dance of the Devils, Army of Darkness and Ash vs. Evil Dead. This means that a team of four players will take on the roles of well-known characters from the films and the TV series, such as Ash Williams, Amanda Fisher or even Lord Arthur and Henry the Red.

The gameplay of Evil Dead can be summarised simply: The team of survivors fights for … survival on fairly open maps and fights against all kinds of Deadites and undead creatures. Primarily melee weapons and the special class abilities of the different characters are used, because ammunition is scarce.

During the matches, certain goals have to be achieved, such as stabbing the Necronomicon ex Mortis with a Kandarian dagger in order to put the evil in its place. Of course, this is easier said than done, because this is where the fifth player of Evil Dead: The Game comes in.

They don’t fight for the survivors, but actively against them. In the role of the Kandarian demon – including the iconic Raimi tracking shot, by the way – player 5 can lay traps, send special Deadites into the race, control trees that like to fight or even take control of big bosses – such as Evil Ash, Eligos or even Henrietta.

And if a lot of question marks are popping up in your minds right now: Yes, Evil Dead: The Game is definitely made for fans of its template, but should strike a chord with multiplayer players regardless.

Who is this interesting for?

Whoever knows and loves Evil Dead can’t get around Evil Dead: The Game. The multiplayer title from Saber Interactive is an official adaptation of the film and TV template, which takes elements from the three main films and the TV series Ash vs Evil Dead. Only the cinema reboot by director Fede Álvarez (Don’t Breath) from 2013 does not seem to play a role, at least not at present. A shame, I know.

As with numerous game adaptations, however, I can’t blame anyone for a certain basic scepticism about Evil Dead. After all, games based on films or TV series are almost notorious for regularly failing fans and critics – exceptions prove the rule, of course. And Evil Dead is not immune to this either, since the title is not the first attempt to bring the dance of the devils to PC and consoles.

But Evil Dead: The Game now seems to involve developers who really know their stuff. The trailers and gameplay scenes that have been published so far are full of allusions and elements that could have come directly from the original. For example, not only B-movie legend Bruce Campbell could be inspired for the game, but also, among others, the up-and-coming ghost beater Ray Santiago (Pablo) and Dana DeLorenzo (Ash vs. Evil Dead).

Evil Dead: The Game doesn’t just scratch the surface here, however, but even implements elements of the original in a rather crafty and creative way. For example, jumpscares become an active game element, which the Kandarian demon can hide in boxes of loot and weapons and thus give the survivors a nasty scare.

However, the purpose of this is not only to make Ash and Co. furious: the fear of the survivors also plays a role. If a character’s fear increases too much, he or she can be corrupted by evil and pose a danger to his or her friends – just like in the original game.

But even fans of horror and multiplayer games who have nothing whatsoever to do with Evil Dead should at least risk a look at the adaptation by Saber Interactive. The developer of titles such as World War Z or Killing Floor 2 has already shown a knack for co-op games in which blood and horror elements are not stinted.

But now Saber Interactive is broadening its horizons a little by not making Evil Dead: The Game a classic co-op slaughterhouse, but instead using an asymmetrical multiplayer system à la Dead by Daylight, Evolve or the PvP mode from Left 4 Dead. A niche within a niche, but one that definitely knows how to excite a certain core community.

Why isn’t this a pure single player game!

Yeah, I know. This all sounds like a pretty promising multiplayer game that even absolute Evil Dead laymen could get excited about. I still play World War Z in particular regularly with friends, while I continue to hope for the announcement of a sequel or at least a second map for the horde mode.

But as much as I’m looking forward to Evil Dead, one thought gnaws at me like a ravenous Deadite: wouldn’t this work much better as a classic single-player experience? I’m thinking of a horror title in the best Resident Evil or Dead Space style – some of which also come with optional co-op elements. Damn, how cool would it be to have a proper single-player campaign that continues the story of the films and the TV series and in which Bruce Campbell is allowed to really let off steam?

With its fidelity to the original, attention to detail and original actors from the original, Evil Dead in its current form feels to me like it’s not really living up to its potential. Although Saber Interactive wants to make the game, which will be released on 13 May, palatable to single-player fans as well, there are still disturbingly few details in this regard so close to release. I don’t really expect much more than a few sporadic missions alongside semi-helpful AI comrades.

Clearly, the focus of Evil Dead lies elsewhere. Saber Interactive wants to inspire fans of asymmetrical multiplayer games. But the risk of finding appeal in this rather special genre should not be underestimated. After Evolve, titles such as Resident Evil Resistance or Friday the 13th also tried their hand at it – the success often left much to be desired.

And whether Evil Dead can keep up with the genre top dog Dead by Daylight (even in the long term) remains to be seen.

I would definitely wish it on Saber Interactive. And for the sole reason of making sure Evil Dead never fades into obscurity. I already had to stomach the cancellation of Ash vs Evil Dead, and besides the new cinematic reboot Evil Dead: Rise, my hopes now lie on a new game that would be much better off in another genre in my eye.

Just look at how awesome Ash vs Evil Dead was:

What we’re looking forward to and what remains open

Strengths of Evil Dead

• The love for the template: That the makers of Evil Dead: The Game have a clue about the subject matter is clearly noticeable even before release. Saber Interactive not only brings back a few of my favourite actors, but also stuffs the game with allusions and elements of the original, just like a Deadite stuffs himself with the blood of his victims. Evil Dead: The Game is worth a look for me for that reason alone, to ease the pain of setting Ash vs. Evil Dead.
• The Cast: Even with the return of Bruce Campbell as Ash Williams alone, I would have been completely happy. However, Saber Interactive is not satisfied with that and brings back a few of the most prominent actors from the films and the TV series for Evil Dead. Among others, Dana Delorenzo (Kelly from Ash vs. Evil Dead), Marcus Gilbert (Arthur from Army of Darkness) or Ellen Sandweiss (Cheryl from Dance of the Devils). Groovy.
• The gameplay variety: In Evil Dead I can shoot, fight, drive vehicles or even summon and control demons – depending on which side I’m on. Different classes and characters should also bring variety to the gameplay. World War Z from the same developers similarly invited happy trial and error.
• The multiplayer know-how: Saber Interactive has already released two multiplayer games with World War Z and Killing Floor 2, among others, which were also able to enthuse their players in the long term. And Evil Dead also makes a good impression in this respect, in terms of playful diversity and depth. So the studio behind the game knows its craft and one can be optimistic.

What is still unclear

• The Story: Evil Dead wants to tell a story that unites numerous well-known heroes and villains of the franchise. Whether and how this comes to fruition in the course of hectic multiplayer matches with jabbering teammates is questionable. From personal experience, for example, I can report that I still have no idea what Borderlands is supposed to be about. Open one what?
• Balancing: Especially in asymmetrical multiplayer games, it is a particular challenge to ensure good balancing. In Evil Dead, there is also the danger that a well-rehearsed team will wipe the floor with the Kandarian demon – or vice versa. Whether Evil Dead succeeds in balancing will only become clear in the weeks and months after launch.
• The long-term motivation: Yes, Evil Dead will receive at least a Season Pass after launch. There are currently no concrete details about its content. But even the base game should keep its fans happy long enough. Since Evil Dead will not be a full-price game at 40 euros, it remains to be seen how much content will ultimately be included in the launch version.
• The single player content: Evil Dead clearly appeals to a multiplayer audience. Nevertheless, Saber Interactive somehow also wants to excite solo players. However, as a long-established single-player fan, I am sceptical about this. Saber Interactive would perhaps be better advised to clearly decide on an audience and thus not disappoint any hopes.

Editorial conclusion

I could have jumped for joy as soon as Evil Dead was announced. An official Evil Dead game, with even Bruce Campbell returning for it – and from the World War Z makers to boot? Sure, an Evil Dead single player game would have made me a lot happier. Especially with the fan service and love for the template that Saber Interactive displays. But of course I’ll give Evil Dead: The Game a chance as an asymmetrical multiplayer.

Nevertheless, I am sceptical whether and for how long Evil Dead will be able to hold its own against the competition in its very special niche. Evil Dead: The Game is not a purebred co-op game, but takes its cue from titles like Dead by Daylight or the PvP mode of Left 4 Dead. And in order to score points and establish itself here, Saber Interactive really has to deliver. But hey, I was already excited by World War Z – here, it would only have needed more new content in the form of additional campaigns and maps in the long term. How much the developers will ultimately get out of the Evil Dead setting remains to be seen.

But what I’m already missing: characters like Ruby (Lucy Lawless), Brandy Barr (Arrielle O’Neill) or Chet Kaminski (Ted Raimi) are not part of the Evil Dead character roster, at least not at the moment, which should definitely change with the Season Pass and announced DLCs. But what about Mia (Jane Levy) from Fede Álvarez’s 2013 cinematic reboot? Saber, don’t leave Mia out in the (blood)rain!