Army of Darkness Defense Game Review

Backflip Studios
Available on: iphone, ipad

4.5/5

This is simply one of the best apps/games available for the iphone.
Based on the third film of the Evil Dead series of the same name, you play as the hero Ash as he attempts to defend the Necronomicon (book of the dead) from the army of undead soldiers.

It is a castle defence game, with its main charm lying in its connection to the franchise, being able to draw on the humour and countless references to the film. Characters will regularly quote the movie as they charge into battle. You can tell that the makers are true fans of the film, pulling out every reference possible to make it a real homage to the original source.

The game has a simple premise, not much different to other castle/tower defence games. At the far left of the stage is the Necronomicon, the target of the undead. At the far right is the entrance to the castle where the Deadites will enter. Between them stands your army and defences.

You begin with Ash carrying a shotgun, while a blacksmith in the background hammers away to provide you with metal. You can use the metal to purchase troops to aid Ash as he fights the horde at the gates. To begin with you can only hire peasants with brooms, but as the game goes on more options are unlocked. You can also use the metal to upgrade the blacksmith so that he can work faster to provide more.

Once the first wave is complete, you are awarded gold and taken to the upgrade screen. Here you can purchase a variety of things (provided they have been unlocked) and upgrade them. The game continues in this way and as you progress Ash and his army become stronger. New abilities and troops are unlocked in later waves.

Ash himself can be upgraded in various ways. First you can add to his power and health. Besides that you can give him new abilities, though he may only use two per wave. You can purchase his iron fist which remains with him always however regardless of his other chosen abilities. Once you have this you can later upgrade to his powerful chainsaw.

You may also buy further defences for the castle including archers on the battlements and the Pit, increasing the Deadites difficulty in reaching their goal. Part of the fun is seeing what wacky thing you will unlock next.

As well as troops, later in the game you unlock heroes to join the battle, characters from the film who provide valuable support in battle.

While you build your army, the Deadites do much the same, constantly increasing their power in much the same way and recruiting different types of enemy, all of which are recognisable from the movie. These include mini Ashes, She-Bitch and the flying zombies.

Though each level is essentially doing the same thing, the enemies bring different challenges to the fight, forcing you to work out your tactics. Even if you are not familiar with the Evil Dead films, or even not a fan, this game is extremely fun to play with a great element of strategy. Highly recommended.