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.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The game is short but very funny, making it a highly recommended play for a few hours of enjoyment.
- Puzzles are well-designed, striking a balance between being thought-provoking without being overly difficult.
- The writing is clever and humorous, with relatable dialogue and a charming story that keeps players engaged.
- The graphics are simplistic and may not appeal to everyone, resembling a low-budget flash game.
- There is no voice acting, which some players feel detracts from the overall experience.
- The game is quite short, leading to concerns about replay value and overall content for the price.
- humor316 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 and irreverent comedy, pop culture references, and quirky dialogue. While some reviews praise the game for its clever writing and ability to elicit genuine laughs, others criticize it for low-brow or immature humor that may not resonate with everyone. Overall, it appeals to fans of dark humor and classic point-and-click adventures, though opinions on its comedic effectiveness vary widely.
“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.”
“I got serious Shaun of the Dead vibes from this game and I had a few good laughs throughout my playthrough, so if you like kind of dark humor, metal music, and point-and-click games, this one is for you!”
“The main reason this game should definitely go on your wishlist is that it's extremely funny, going from nods to zombie-apocalypse clichés to visual humor to the wackiest dialogue in an adventure game since Curse of Monkey Island.”
“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.”
- story148 mentions
- 51 % positive mentions
- 47 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The story of the game is a comedic take on the zombie apocalypse, featuring two metalhead protagonists and a blend of dark humor and engaging dialogue that resonates well with players. While some found the narrative to be a bit short, many praised its creativity, character development, and the overall entertaining experience it provides, likening it to classics like "Shaun of the Dead" and "Monkey Island." The humor and charm of the story, combined with its interactive elements, make it a standout aspect of the game, despite some critiques regarding its predictability and brevity.
“As a comedy-horror zombie story, this was one of the best I've ever seen in any medium.”
“It's funny, the characters feel like people, and the story hangs together and concludes in a fully satisfying manner.”
“The story was very enjoyable and the whole metal-zombie apocalypse-friendship-comedy combination is definitely winning.”
“To be honest, I was expecting more than a plot prop and a bunch of topics over metalheads' personal hygiene.”
“This could easily be at least partially salvaged by the story, aesthetic, or humor the game clearly aims for, but it doesn't really nail this either.”
“Story is a bit short; it has its humor but not that much.”
- music126 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 52 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received 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 visuals, but there are frequent calls for a more diverse and higher-quality soundtrack. Overall, while the music is catchy for some, it may not appeal to everyone and can become annoying over time.
“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.”
“Dialog is funny, music is great, and it's great for beginner adventurers thanks to Malcom's sidekick Ronnie.”
“It embraces the metal music theme (not unlike Double Fine's Brutal Legend) and it's continually funny, although in a dark, macabre way most of the time.”
“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.”
“It's a browser flash game with horrible art style, 16-bit chiptune metal music that plays constantly and is annoying as hell.”
- graphics114 mentions
- 32 % positive mentions
- 63 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are characterized as simple, cartoony, and reminiscent of older flash games, often compared to artwork created in MS Paint. While some players find the visuals unappealing or crude, others appreciate the unique art style and how it complements the game's humor and narrative. Overall, the graphics are functional and serve the game's aesthetic, though they may not satisfy those seeking high-quality visuals.
“I enjoyed the simple but effective art style.”
“Do not be fooled by the graphics (which is awesome anyway), the game is deep, funny and very enjoyable.”
“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.”
- gameplay34 mentions
- 18 % positive mentions
- 74 % neutral mentions
- 9 % 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 some players appreciate the humor and pop culture references, others find the gameplay lacking in depth and tension, often feeling dull and reminiscent of mini-games. Overall, the experience is mixed, with a blend of enjoyable dialogue and a satisfying reveal, but not without criticisms regarding its overall engagement and excitement.
“It’s a few hours’ worth of gameplay with the satisfaction of a retro feel, look, and sound.”
“Lots of funny references to pop culture, well written and hilarious script, and simple and effective gameplay made it very enjoyable!”
“Metal Dead tries to hearken back to old point-and-click adventure games with an irreverent zombie apocalypse tale, but while it delivers on the gameplay in an inviting and solid manner, its humor is more of a mixed bag.”
“- the gameplay is barely there, if not non-existent, it feels more like one of those mini-games they had on kids' DVDs.”
“[u]the bad[/u]: the gameplay is almost never time-sensitive and doesn't quite capture the dread and tension of an ongoing zombie apocalypse.”
“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.”
- atmosphere8 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- 13 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is generally praised for being engaging and humorous, particularly within 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, the combination of unexpected puzzles and a lighthearted tone contributes 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, the price is low, and it is a relaxing game to play.”
“There is no voice dubbing; I don't mind reading, but it made the atmosphere so bland.”
- replayability6 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The game has been criticized for its low replayability, with many users noting that once completed, there is little incentive to play again, resulting in minimal to zero replay value.
“Minimal replay value once you've finished it.”
“Replay value is pretty much zero.”
“Low replay value.”
- character development6 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
Character development is marked by a stylized design reminiscent of Jhonen Vasquez's work, creating a memorable cast that appeals to a niche audience. The incorporation of blood and gore adds to the unique character portrayal, evoking comparisons to the character dynamics found in "Wayne's World."
“Character design makes a good memorable little cast, and there is loads of blood and gore, even on its smaller scale design.”
“Also made me recall Wayne's World movie in the character development department.”
“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.”
- grinding4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players appreciate the grinding aspect of the game, noting that it is neither tedious nor overly brief, and they value that their efforts contribute to meaningful causes like tree planting and sustainable farming practices.
- emotional4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Reviews indicate that the emotional aspect of the game is inconsistent, particularly regarding the character Malcolm, which detracts from potential emotional attachment. While some players feel that emotional depth may not be essential for a point-and-click adventure, the lack of consistency in character emotions is noted as a point of concern.
“It just felt weird how inconsistent Malcolm was emotionally.”
“Maybe this isn't one of those games where there should be some kind of emotional attachment to the characters, but... it's a point-and-click adventure game.”
