Games that don’t suck: Army of Darkness Defense
GAMES THAT DON’T SUCK is a feature dedicated to games that I think are well worth your hard earned money, but not worth me sitting down and spending 3 hours crafting an in-depth review (these things are usually 99¢ after all). However, you can rest assured that any game bearing Macenstein’s GTDS rating is worth buying, sight unseen, based solely on my expert opinion.
Army of Darkness Defense (iPhone 99¢, iPad $2.99) is one of those rare Games that doesn’t suck that may actually suck. I honestly can’t be objective here. All I know is I’ve been playing it about 3 hours straight. As a grown man who has an Army of Darkness poster hanging in his office, who sat front row in the “splatter zone” of Evil Dead: The Musical on Broadway (OK, it was OFF Broadway, but not too off) and who can recite every line from AOD and Evil Dead 2, I fully admit I am smitten with this game, much in the same way I would be smitten with a Raising Arizona or Three Amigos Tower Defense game.
So, let me just say upfront there’s a good chance how much you enjoy Army of Darkness Defense will likely depend on how big a fan you are of the film, and of Bruce Campbell in general. In the game you of course play Ash, the self-absorbed, one-handed wisecracking hero of the franchise, as he attempts to protect the Necronomicon (the Book of the Dead) from the evil army of the dead. During each round you earn money (whether or not you are victorious) that you can use to upgrade Ash, his military units, and the castle’s defenses. You can also buy gold with REAL money via in-app purchases, but you really never need to. The money is quick to pile up.
As the game progresses you can unlock new units to help you.
If you are a fan of the Evil Dead films then this is a no-brainer purchase. You can upgrade Ash’s stump arm to a metal fist, and then of course the Chainsaw. All your favorite characters are featured, including Evil Ash, Shelia, Arthur, “She Bitch”, and the army of little Ashes. Add to that what seems like over 100 memorable movie quotes, some extremely smooth animations (at least on gen 4 iOS devices) and some really cute character designs, and you have a truly fun, horror-themed castle defense game. As a possible testament to the game’s appeal, I will say my 7 year-old son appears to love the game, and never saw Army of Darkness, and only has a passing knowledge of Bruce Campbell from the episodes of Xena: Warrior Princess I am making him watch.
You can also unlock "special attacks. Ash's "DeathCoaster" is the ultimate killing machine.
My only criticism of the game is that I am at level 47 and so far have not heard Bruce say “It’s a trick, get an axe”. Otherwise, it’s the perfect Army of Darkness game. I’ve bought both the iPhone and iPad versions, and the iPad is slightly more enjoyable due to a better use of screen real estate for controls, but otherwise the experience is identical on both devices. If you love Army of Darkness, then buying this games means you are shopping S-MART. (I had to put that in).
I think it sucks – bacause it´s not a Mac Game. I´ts a f*ckin iOS Game (you should said that in the title). > : /
In the title?
Well, in line 1 I put the link to the iPhone and iPad versions…
Who plays games on a Mac?
🙂
– The Doc
My Friend if you don’t like a game it not sucks soo please keep your bad words for you 🙂
The best part of this article….we all now know you have Xena on DVD.
As much as it pains me to think of this, but I could see you running around your house in the Xena costume threatening people with your Chakram.
Between this Xena reference, and the Mac Chick of the Month…I have concluded Dr. Macenstein is a closet lesbian.
Honestly, I DID have the first two seasons of Xena on VHS.
🙂
Now it’s Netflix On Demand, all the Xena’s are there.
No comment on whether or not I’m a lesbian though.
– the Doc
lol knew you would love it doc thats why I sent the link for it! And I too am a gigantic AOD fan
I can totally understand you – I couldn’t put my iPhone away for 2 hours once I’ve purchased Army of Darkness: Defence. Honestly guys, it’s one of the best iPhone games, based on a movie franchise. I love it as much as I love the whole movie trilogy. Nostalgia is such a powerful thing after all. Oh, and thanks for the awesome game review! 🙂 And great screenshots too!
I’m stuck on level 50, btw.
Been stuck fr 2 days, goddmanit.
– The Doc
Same here. Can’t get past it!!!
well, I got past it the day after writing the review, and unfortunately there is little replay value after beating it. Still, great game for the price!
– The Doc
this game should be rated X! for Xtremely awesome! HAHAHAHAHAHHA!!!
I’ve got the game to come to a literal crawl. Maybe a frame every couple of seconds. On endless mode with hundreds of armored knights and horsemen, and Ash and both champs pushed up against the incoming horde wall. Ash auto loots so the coins are capped at 125 all the time. I’m at 140 million and counting. It’ll never end because the healer keeps the army alive but my iP4 is barely alive… ha.
Amazingly addicting game though. I chewed through my battery two nights in a row playing.
Any tips for gettin past wave 50? Its fuckin impossible!!!!
I got this app for free for some promotion and it’s very addicting. I’ve never seen or heard of the movie at all until I googled this game to see if there were others like it. I’d like to see the movie now, just to see Ash’s character. I’m at level 49 right now. I had trouble with 45 with the lady in red, then I just ran her over with the coaster and sent her into the pit. I don’t know why I didn’t think of that before. Very fun game and well worth 99 cents.
Now I m at level 50. I can’t win that level so if anybody know how to pass that level pls help me out
Hello,
Facile malgré sur mon iphone 4 le fait que le jeu plante et lag énormément, je me retrouve parfois éjecter du jeu ce qui est franchement énervant, bref voici la compo que je trouve gagnante à tous les coups, bien sur au niveau maximum :
archer
armored guard
wiseman
arthur
torch-boy
magic words
deathcoaster
Avec ça tu vas tout casser et camper le côté droite de ton appareil …
Bon jeux
To pass lvl 50, you’ll need to upgrade the smithy using 50k coins. then at the beginning lvl up again it to max. Use volley and death coaster as Ash’s main weapons. Upgrade castle defenses archers, catapults etc to max. Use guards, spear-men and archers as your units. Eliminate first few enemies near the pit would help to settle things. Keep Ash and wise man protected at all times, fight it out inside the castle is a better ploy to make it easy.
i finished that game and i think ill start a new one….. cant believe this is my first android game i played and never found another one the come close to beat the fun i had… it is simply awesome and amazing on every aspect… btw im a fan of army of darkness… the funny side makes it even better 🙂
love it