Bruce Campbell is cool. He has a cool voice, his manner is cool, the man is as cool as Ash in the movie. Unfortunately, Evil Dead: A Fistful of Boomstick is not as cool as Bruce Campbell. Why? let me tell you in my review.
1st, lets start off with the graphics:-The graphics are strictly average for the PS2, with plenty of anti-aliasing, clipping and fogging. The colour palette is dark, plenty of grey and brown in the night streets and not much else. Character models are fuzzy and jerkily animated, with the exception of Ash, who runs and fights smoothly. Particle and lighting effects are ok, but adequate in the spells.
Ok, on with the sounds:-
Sound is a muted affair, with voicing campy except for Ash by Bruce. The music is fairly dynamic, with spooky background tunes that become frantic whenever you are set upon by monsters.
Now, on with the gameplay:-
Evil Dead: Fistful of Boomstick is just almost entirely hack, shoot and slash. In your third person perspective, Ash can handle two weapons at once and perform simple combos with different weapons. These weapons range from the standard boomstick/chainsaw combo to a spade, sword, various handguns and larger weapons such as a gatling gun. The projectile weapons also have various types of ammo that you can select.
The controls:-
The control scheme was pretty confusing, Ash is controled with the left analog stick and the camera angle is controlled with the right. X and Square however are for the left/right hand weapons. While L1 brings up a reticule for targeting the next foe, changing colour as they come into range. The weapon select system is ok which utilised the L2 and R2 buttons. Pausing the game while you select your weapon, but not inhibiting the action. The R1 button is for the spells at your disposal, which need a combination of button presses to work.
Replay Value:-
There is not much replay value once you finish the game. There is an unlockable Arcade mode that sets you challenges, mostly by giving you certain weapons and a time limit in which to defeat a number of monsters. Plus a trailer for the game and some development pictures in a gallery. That's about it.
Rent it or Buy it??
Well, all in all the game is a must buy for Evil Dead fans. But other than that, if you are interested and not sure to whereter buy the game anot, I suggest you rent it.
Create an Account
Member Login
