Hail to the King: Deathbat

75%
Game Brain Score Based on 161 reviews
  • music
  • graphics
  • gameplay
Hail to the King: Deathbat Game Cover
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"Hail to the King: Deathbat" is a 3rd person action-adventure RPG, inspired by classic games, with a metal music theme. As the resurrected King of the Underworld, Andronikos, players must reclaim the lands of Haides and defeat the despotic Dark Andronikos. The game features brutal melee combat, projectile magic attacks, puzzle-solving, and beautifully designed landscapes inspired by Avenged Sevenfold's discography. Classic Avenged Sevenfold tracks are included in the game.

  • iPad
  • iPhone
  • PC
  • Phone
  • Windows
  • Android
  • Mobile Platform
  • Tablet
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

75%
Audience ScoreBased on 161 reviews
music48 positive mentions
grinding10 negative mentions
  • Great soundtrack featuring Avenged Sevenfold's music, enhancing the overall experience for fans.
  • Fun and nostalgic gameplay reminiscent of classic dungeon crawlers like Zelda and Diablo.
  • Offers numerous references and easter eggs for A7X fans, making it enjoyable for those familiar with the band's discography.
  • Poorly executed mobile port with clunky controls and lack of depth in gameplay mechanics.
  • Pressing the ESC key exits the game without warning, leading to potential frustration.
  • Graphics and overall design feel outdated, resembling early 2000s games rather than a modern title.
  • music125 mentions

    The music in the game, primarily featuring tracks from Avenged Sevenfold, is widely praised for its quality and integration into gameplay, with many levels and boss fights themed around the band's songs. Fans of the band will particularly enjoy the nostalgic and remixed versions of their music, although some players noted that the repetition of certain tracks, like "Unholy Confessions," can become tiresome. Overall, the soundtrack is considered the standout feature of the game, enhancing the experience for those who appreciate Avenged Sevenfold's music.

    • “The soundtrack is a mix of their previously released music and some tracks that were new when the game came out, made specifically for use in the game.”
    • “If you like Avenged Sevenfold's music, you'll like the game's soundtrack.”
    • “The music is wonderful, love Avenged Sevenfold to begin with and all the references make this game great.”
    • “No amount of song references and A7X-related humor can save it.”
    • “The music behind every miniboss fight is always 'Unholy Confessions', and while I enjoy the song on its own, it quickly became repetitive the more I played, as every level has at least two mini-bosses.”
    • “The game's story is decidedly lackluster, and the only time the game's music gets good is when an instrumental version of 'Unholy Confessions' plays during the boss battles.”
  • graphics52 mentions

    The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with some praising the charming art style and nostalgic feel reminiscent of classic titles, while others criticize the outdated visuals that resemble those of early console games. Many users appreciate the colorful aesthetics and thematic consistency with the band's identity, but express disappointment over the lack of modern graphical fidelity and options. Overall, the graphics are seen as adequate for a mobile port, but not up to par for a PC release.

    • “Pretty good game, amazing graphics.”
    • “Probably some of the coolest art styles I've seen in a long time.”
    • “The graphics are well done for the style the guys of A7X were wanting to do them in.”
    • “There's better PS1 games with better graphics.”
    • “It's a far too obvious port from a mobile game, it's clunky, and the graphics look like they're from Warcraft III.”
    • “The graphics resemble those of the original PlayStation, so some people may be disenchanted by the lack of graphical fidelity that today's gamers are used to.”
  • gameplay43 mentions

    The gameplay has been widely criticized for its simplicity and lack of depth, with many reviewers noting poor combat mechanics and repetitive elements. While some players appreciate the smooth controls and fun aspects tied to the soundtrack, the overall experience is marred by clumsy controls and a linear design that fails to offer significant variety or challenge. As a mobile port, the game retains a simplistic approach that may not satisfy those seeking a more complex RPG experience.

    • “The gameplay is really smooth when it comes to movement.”
    • “The game is a great game for a port from the mobile platforms; gameplay gets a little intense and a lot of it leaves you with little more than hit and move fighting to stay alive.”
    • “The controls may seem button-mashy at first - and they kinda are - but this is not as unpleasant as one might think, because it gives all the more reason to really work at mastering the gameplay.”
    • “No depth, barely any mechanics, poor combat.”
    • “As a casual gamer, there are several things wrong with the game; the gameplay is linear and the combat gets repetitive. There could be much more variety for the 'RPG' it's passed off as, and the story is decent but pretty generic.”
    • “The incredibly simple and obvious mobile port type gameplay is not something that can be overlooked, and leaves this as a very boring and occasionally frustrating game.”
  • story38 mentions

    The story of the game is generally viewed as decent but lacks depth and memorability, often described as generic and filled with dark fantasy clichés. While fans of the band may appreciate the thematic elements and references, many players find the narrative underwhelming and short, requiring additional context from external sources to fully understand. Overall, the storyline is considered enjoyable by some, particularly for fans, but it does not stand out as a major highlight of the game.

    • “The story is also really cool but requires a lot of reading, at least some voice acting from me.”
    • “Nice game, with a nice story and a brilliant soundtrack; if you are a fan of A7X, you will love the game. It's a short one but good.”
    • “The storyline is very awesome.”
    • “Though if you want to know and understand the full story, I don't think just playing the game would be enough.”
    • “Beyond that, there is nothing else worth mentioning because it is a slog of an experience since the story is half-baked and all the other previously mentioned problems don't help.”
    • “The game's story is decidedly lackluster and the only time the game's music gets good is when an instrumental version of 'Unholy Confessions' plays during the boss battles.”
  • grinding11 mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game is described as both tedious and essential, requiring players to invest significant time—often 60 to 100 hours—to progress and achieve goals. While some players find enjoyment in the repetitive nature of grinding for coins and better equipment, others view it as a necessary but monotonous task that can detract from the overall experience. Despite the grind, players can still complete the game in a shorter timeframe if they effectively manage resources and strategies.

    • “The grinding aspect of the game can be quite extensive, requiring 60 to 100 hours to fully experience everything it has to offer.”
    • “While the grind can be time-consuming, it adds a rewarding layer to the gameplay that keeps you engaged.”
    • “I appreciate how the grinding mechanics encourage exploration and mastery of the game, making every hour spent feel worthwhile.”
    • “Otherwise, fun for a bit, tedious until the end.”
    • “There’s not a lot of levels, though some seem to go on longer than any real need, the hit detection seems a bit delayed, and a good couple of hours of gameplay seem dedicated solely to grinding for gold in order to get what you need to reach Dark Andronikos.”
    • “With grinding time included, you’re looking at maybe ten to twelve hours for a complete run through, making this a game you can hammer out over the course of the weekend.”
  • stability4 mentions

    Overall, users report a generally stable experience with minimal glitches, though one player encountered a significant issue during the "Babylon" level. Most players appreciate the lack of game-breaking bugs, highlighting a positive trend in stability compared to other titles.

    • “The game runs smoothly without any bugs.”
    • “I haven't encountered any stability issues during my gameplay.”
    • “The performance is consistent, making for a seamless experience.”
    • “I hardly encountered any glitches or hiccups, except for one almost game-breaking glitch during the level, Babylon.”
    • “I don't know how many others took a load of troubleshooting to get it to work from the start (to the point where I gave up and it now collects dust in my Steam library).”
  • replayability3 mentions

    Overall, the game's replayability is considered low, with a score of 5/10, primarily due to the overpowering nature of certain weapons that diminish challenge and variety. The lack of significant RPG elements, such as armor or character customization, further limits the potential for diverse playthroughs.

    • “There's not much replayability because *slight spoiler* the rev's sword makes you overpowered and breaks the game.”
    • “Replayability: 5/10”
    • “There are a couple of good weapons to start with, but there's no heavy RPG elements, like armor or character customization, that make the game dynamic and replayable.”
  • monetization3 mentions

    The monetization strategy of the game appears to be a cash grab, originally designed for mobile with microtransactions that have been removed in the Steam version. Players cannot purchase in-game items like swords or extra lives, as the PC port lacks in-app purchases typical of mobile games.

    • “You can tell this is both a cash grab and a PC port of a mobile game when just playing the first level.”
    • “Steam has no in-app purchases like mobile games, so you can't actually buy these swords, extra lives, or extra gold.”
    • “Oh, and it used to have microtransactions, though those are not in here anymore.”
  • optimization3 mentions

    Overall, the game is well-optimized, running smoothly even on lower-end hardware, which suggests a careful porting process from mobile devices. While some characters may lack visual appeal, the optimization ensures a solid performance across various systems.

    • “It does not feel like they rushed the port to make a deadline, because it is well optimized.”
    • “This game is a nice port from mobile devices (iOS and Android), running smoothly without a problem on my crappy laptop.”
  • atmosphere2 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is highly praised, with numerous references that resonate with seasoned fans, creating an immersive experience. Despite its linear gameplay, the overall vibe and fantasy elements contribute significantly to its appeal, making it a standout feature for players.

    • “It's all about atmosphere; there are several references to the band that a seasoned fan understands. Even though the gameplay is linear, it's still easy to understand, and the overall vibe makes up for it.”
    • “On the good side, I love the game's atmosphere; it's everything I could ever want in a fantasy game.”
    • “The atmosphere feels flat and uninspired, lacking the depth needed to immerse players in the game world.”
    • “Despite some interesting visuals, the overall atmosphere is dull and fails to evoke any real emotion or engagement.”
    • “The game tries to create a unique atmosphere, but it ends up feeling generic and forgettable.”
  • emotional1 mentions

    Players express a deep emotional impact from the game, with one user highlighting a profound sense of loss and sadness that lingered long after playing, indicating the game's ability to evoke strong feelings.

    • “I pressed 'esc' and then I cried for 10 years :'c”
  • humor1 mentions

    The humor in the game is highlighted by its unexpected and amusing soundtrack, which features songs that catch players off guard with their comedic elements.

    • “The soundtrack is a bit funny; I never thought they would make such a song.”
    • “The humor in the dialogue had me laughing out loud; it's clever and unexpected.”
    • “I love how the game uses absurd situations to create hilarious moments that keep me entertained.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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