Metal Dead
- October 6, 2014
- Walk Thru Walls Studios
Get on Steam"Metal Dead" is a comedic point-and-click adventure game set in a zombie-infested world. Two metalhead characters become trapped in a research facility and must use their wits to escape, encountering a host of eccentric characters along the way. Nominated for best writing and independent adventure game, it offers a unique blend of humor, gore, and puzzles.
Reviews
- The game is short but very funny, with a charming and engaging story that keeps players entertained.
- Puzzles are well-designed, striking a balance between being thought-provoking without being overly difficult.
- The humor is a highlight, featuring witty dialogue and pop culture references that resonate with fans of the genre.
- The graphics are simplistic and reminiscent of early flash games, which may not appeal to everyone.
- There is no voice acting, which could have enhanced the overall experience and immersion.
- The game is quite short, with a playtime of around 3-4 hours, leading to concerns about replay value.
- humor158 mentions
- 98 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is a mixed bag, with many players finding it charming and funny, often highlighting its dark comedy and clever dialogue. While some appreciate the low-brow and irreverent jokes, others criticize it as immature or generic, suggesting that humor is subjective and may not resonate with everyone. Overall, the game is noted for its entertaining writing and memorable characters, making it a worthwhile experience for fans of humorous point-and-click adventures.
“The comedy was mostly low-brow, but a lot of the humor came from how the protagonist was the only sane person around, which was amusing and made for some funny and relatable dialogue.”
“It's gory and funny, and it knows its zombie tropes.”
“The humor really fits in this game.”
“What dooms this game for me is that it's supposed to be funny.”
“It's dumb stereotypes with really unfunny dialogue.”
“It's supposed to be funny, but it's not.”
- story74 mentions
- 51 % positive mentions
- 45 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The story of the game is a comedic take on the zombie apocalypse, featuring engaging characters and witty dialogue that many players found both entertaining and refreshing. While some noted its brevity, the narrative is praised for its humor, creativity, and cohesive plot, often drawing comparisons to classic adventure games. Overall, it successfully blends dark humor with a lighthearted approach, making it a memorable experience for fans of the genre.
“The story was well written, enjoyable, and cohesive.”
“As a comedy-horror zombie story, this was one of the best I've ever seen in any medium.”
“The story is hilarious, the mechanics are easy to understand.”
“The story is a somewhat original twist on the zombie apocalypse idea... I guess.”
“To be honest, I was expecting more than a plot prop and a bunch of topics over metalheads' personal hygiene.”
“Story is a bit short and ends with a sort of after-credit cliffhanger.”
- music63 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 52 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some players enjoying the heavy metal and 8-bit soundtrack, while others find it repetitive and lacking in variety. Many appreciate the thematic fit of the music with the game's dark humor and aesthetic, but there are calls for a more extensive and varied soundtrack. Overall, while the music has its fans, it may not appeal to everyone, and some players express a desire for higher quality or more original compositions.
“I really liked the music from this game; I think they did a good job with it. I just wish there were a few more tracks in the game and that there was a soundtrack to download and listen to.”
“The music fits the game well, and I enjoyed the humor, dialogue, art, and storyline. Some of the music made me think of the game Doom, which was pretty cool!”
“This little adventure game combines the classic yet ever-tiring zombie virus scenario with the amazing genre that is metal music.”
“The music is annoyingly repetitive and can't be turned off (the setting in the configuration doesn't do anything), the font is horrible and just on the border of being unreadable, there is no voiceover (thankfully?) and even the controls are a bit clumsy.”
“The music is repetitive and annoying enough that you will go looking for a way to turn it off.”
“The graphics and the music are absolutely trashy, but it works with the whole game.”
- graphics57 mentions
- 32 % positive mentions
- 63 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are characterized by a simplistic, cartoony art style that some players find charming, while others view it as crude and unappealing, often likening it to early flash games or MS Paint creations. Despite the mixed opinions on the visual quality, many reviewers appreciate how the art style complements the game's humor and narrative, suggesting that the graphics do not detract from the overall enjoyment. Overall, the visuals are functional and evoke a nostalgic feel, appealing primarily to fans of retro-style games.
“This game has a very nice art style, clever puzzles, and provides a great experience on a rainy day.”
“I enjoyed the simple yet effective art style.”
“The cartoony art style is pretty fitting and well done.”
“The graphics are simple, which is fine, but they're also unappealing.”
“At first sight, the graphics look like they've been done by a 10-year-old with MS Paint.”
“The artwork looks like it was made with MS Paint 20 years ago.”
- gameplay17 mentions
- 18 % positive mentions
- 65 % neutral mentions
- 18 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Metal Dead" is characterized by its retro point-and-click mechanics, which are simple and easy to grasp, providing a few hours of engaging content. While the humor and dialogue are often praised for their wit and pop culture references, some players find the gameplay lacking in depth and tension, particularly in the context of a zombie apocalypse. Overall, the experience is a mixed bag, with enjoyable moments overshadowed by a sense of dullness in gameplay.
“It’s a few hours’ worth of gameplay with the satisfaction of a retro feel, look, and sound.”
“The story is hilarious, the mechanics are easy to understand.”
“Lots of funny references to pop culture, well written and hilarious script and simple and effective gameplay made it very enjoyable!”
“Most of these games don't have much to offer as far as gameplay goes, so I feel like the characters are one of the crucial elements of, well, most games, but point-and-click adventure games specifically.”
“The bad: the gameplay is almost never time-sensitive and doesn't quite capture the dread and tension of an ongoing zombie apocalypse.”
“The gameplay is barely there, if not non-existent; it feels more like one of those mini-games they had on kids' DVDs.”
- atmosphere4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is generally praised for being engaging and humorous, particularly in its zombie apocalypse setting. However, the lack of voice dubbing has been noted as a drawback, making some players feel the atmosphere is less immersive. Overall, it combines unexpected puzzles with a lighthearted tone, contributing to a relaxing gaming experience.
“The game has a great atmosphere and also a great story.”
“A short and funny quest in a zombie apocalypse atmosphere.”
“The puzzles are unexpected and well placed; the atmosphere is outrageous and funny, making it a relaxing game to play.”
“There is no voice dubbing; I don't mind reading, but it made the atmosphere so bland.”
“The lack of ambient sounds really detracts from the immersion.”
“The environments feel lifeless and fail to evoke any sense of wonder or tension.”
- replayability3 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game has minimal to zero replay value, with many users noting that once completed, there is little incentive to play it again.
“Low replay value.”
“Minimal replay value once you've finished it.”
“Replay value is pretty much zero.”
- character development3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -67 % neutral mentions
- 67 % negative mentions
Character development is marked by a stylized design reminiscent of Jhonen Vasquez's work, which may appeal to a niche audience. The memorable cast is complemented by a significant amount of blood and gore, contributing to a unique atmosphere that evokes comparisons to the character dynamics in "Wayne's World."
“The stylized character design, heavily influenced by Jhonen Vasquez (Invader Zim, Johnny the Homicidal Maniac), creates a unique and memorable cast.”
“Character design contributes to a memorable little cast, with plenty of blood and gore, even in its smaller scale.”
“The character development reminded me of the humor and charm found in Wayne's World.”
“The stylized character design, heavily influenced by Jhonen Vasquez (Invader Zim, Johnny the Homicidal Maniac), is a niche taste.”
“The character development reminded me of the Wayne's World movie, which is not a compliment.”
- grinding2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players appreciate the grinding aspect as it is neither tedious nor overly brief, and they value that their efforts contribute to meaningful causes like tree planting and sustainable farming practices.
- emotional2 mentions
- 150 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Reviewers noted that the emotional depth of the game felt inconsistent, particularly regarding the character Malcolm, which may detract from the player's ability to form attachments. While some argue that emotional engagement may not be essential for a point-and-click adventure, the lack of emotional consistency was still a point of concern for players.
“The emotional depth of the characters really surprised me; I found myself genuinely caring about their journeys.”
“This game masterfully weaves emotional storytelling with gameplay, making every decision feel impactful.”
“I was not expecting to feel such a strong connection to the characters; their struggles resonated with me on a personal level.”
