RetroRealms: Ash vs Evil Dead is a horror platforming video game developed by WayForward and published by Boss Team Games, and was one of the first of two entries in the RetroRealms series (releasing simultaneously with RetroRealms: Halloween). The game was digitally released on October 18th, 2024 for Nintendo Switch PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Windows PC, with physical copies releasing on October 24th.
Story Overview
Main Game
A malicious demonic entity known as the Overlord of The Nightmare Realm haunts an old abandoned arcade known as RetroRealms, entering the digital landscapes of the video games found throughout the building with the intent of conquering and corrupting. Upon arriving in a game based on Ash vs Evil Dead, The Overlord takes the Necronomicon Ex-Mortis from its guardian: Ash Williams, which prompts the aging demon fighter to jump into action once again to battle a legion of Deadites and traverse the Nightmare Realm to reclaim the book and save his world.
Kelly Maxwell DLC
Set after the events of the main game, the Overlord returns to the world of Ash vs Evil Dead at the behest of Kelly Maxwell, who is set on testing her mettle against the demonic hoards. Seeing no challenge for Kelly should she die in combat against his army, the Overlord decides to capture the soul of Kelly's mother, Suzy Maxwell, as an incentive for Kelly to keep fighting.
Levels
| Level Name | Description | Boss |
|---|---|---|
| Mossy Haven Trailer Park (Level 1-1) | Featuring the location of the same name appearing in the Ash vs Evil Dead Season One episodes El Jefe and Bait. | |
| Mossy Haven Trailer Park (Level 1-2) | Based on the location of the same name appearing in the Ash vs Evil Dead Season One episodes El Jefe and Bait. | Vivian Johnson/"Giga Vivian" |
| A Cabin In The Woods (Level 2-1) | Inspired by elements from Evil Dead II and the Ash vs Evil Dead Season Two episode Home Again. | |
| A Cabin In The Woods (Level 2-2) | Featuring Crosby's Militia Camp from the Ash vs Evil Dead Season One episode Fire In The Hole and The Knowby Cabin based on it's appearance in Evil Dead II. | Ruby Knowby |
| Elk Grove (Level 3-1) | Based on the location of the same name introduced in Ash vs Evil Dead Season Two, as well as an all-new location called "Elk Grove Park". | |
| Elk Grove (Level 3-2) | Featuring ValueStop (from the Ash vs Evil Dead Season One episode El Jefe), and Books From Beyond (from the Ash vs Evil Dead Season One episode of the same name). | Eligos |
| Kenward County Asylum (Level 4-1) | Based on the location of the same name seen in Ash vs Evil Dead Season Two episodes Delusion and Ashy Slashy. | |
| Kenward County Asylum (Level 4-2) | Based on the location of the same name seen in Ash vs Evil Dead Season Two episodes Delusion and Ashy Slashy. | Evil Ash |
| Overlord's Castle (Level 5-1) | Original location not based on Ash vs Evil Dead. | Possessed Oldsmobile |
| Overlord's Castle (Level 5-2) | Original location not based on Ash vs Evil Dead. | Kandar The Destroyer & The Overlord of The Nightmare Realm |
Trophies
Main Game
| Icon | Name | In-Game Description | Name Reference Origin |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Hail to Me, Baby! | Collect all 23 Ash vs Evil Dead Trophies as Ash. | Reference to Ash's line from Army of Darkness: "Hail to the King, baby!" |
|
Welcome to Mossy Haven, Home Sweet Home | Beat the Boss in World 1 as Ash. | |
|
Where It All Began. Back to the Cabin | Beat the Boss in World 2 as Ash. | Reference to an extremely similar line said by Ash in the Ash vs Evil Dead Season One episode The Killer of Killers: "All roads to destroying this evil lead right back to where it all began... the cabin!" |
|
Hitting the Streets to Find Some Action! | Beat the Boss in World 3 as Ash. | |
|
We Might Have to Stop for Churros | Beat the Boss in World 4 as Ash. | Reference to a line spoken by Ash in the Ash vs Evil Dead Season One episode Books From Beyond: "Okay, look, if we get this done quick enough, we might have time to stop for churros!" |
|
Death, Taxes, and More Death | Beat the Boss in World 5 as Ash. | Reference to a line spoken by Ash in the Ash vs Evil Dead Season One episode Ashes To Ashes: "Everybody dies here... it's just a rule. Death, taxes, more death, and I don't pay taxes, so all I know is death!" |
|
Stay Behind Me, Let the Gun Do the Talkin'! | Use Ash's Charge attack 100 times. | Reference to a line spoken by Ash in the Ash vs Evil Dead Season One episode Bait: "Just stay behind me, let the Boomstick do the talking, if things get hairy use your bottle." |
|
Come Get Some! | Pogo off 3 enemies in a row without touching the ground as Ash. | Reference to Ash's line first spoken in Army of Darkness. |
|
Take a Look, It's in a Book! | Collect all the loose pages of the Necronomicon in a single game! | |
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It Never Gets Old | Kill 1,000 Deadites. | |
|
The Classic. The Original | Defeat Ash's car as Ash. | |
|
I Can Hold My Own, Pal | Pogo off 10 enemies in a row without touching the ground as Ash. | Direct quote said by Ash in the Ash vs Evil Dead Season Three episode Twist And Shout. |
|
Only Using the Best Moves! | Clear AvED Level 3-2 with only special moves as Ash. | |
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Groovy | Clear AvED Level 4-1 with only sub-weapons as Ash. | Reference to Ash's line first spoken in Evil Dead II. |
|
It's Dangerous to Go Alone. TAKE THIS! | Use the Ash's Knife sub-weapon 100 times. | |
|
Really Nailed! | Pierce 5 enemies at once with the Nail Gun. | |
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And That's for Amanda! | Burn 20 Root enemies with the Ash's Lantern sub-weapon. | |
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Ashy Slashy | Complete the game as Ash with no health upgrades purchased. | |
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We Specialize in a Radical Form of Surgery! | Throw the Ash's Axe sub-weapon 40 times. | Direct quote said by Ash's in the Ash vs Evil Dead Season One episode Bound In Flesh. |
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No Coffee Breaks | Be active in AvED for 300 minutes! | |
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Doing This With My Arm Tied Behind My Back | Pacifist run through Level 1-1 as Ash. | |
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Realm Jumper! | Visit the nightmare realm 300 times as Ash. | |
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It was Just Pillow Talk, Baby... | Beat Ruby in under 1 minute 50 seconds. | Reference to a line spoken by Ash in Army of Darkness: "Well... that's just what we call pillow talk, baby... that's all..." |
|
Quick and Discreet! | Beat Stage 4-1 in under 2 minutes 30 seconds as Ash. | Reference to a line spoken by Ash in the Ash vs Evil Dead Season Two episode The Morgue: "I'm gonna be like a ninja losing his virginity... quick and discreet." |
Kelly Maxwell DLC
| Icon | Name | In-Game Description | Name Reference Origin |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Taking Out the Trailer Trash! | Beat the Boss in World 1 as Kelly. | |
|
Wooooo! Yes! Burn, Baby! | Beat the Boss in World 5 as Kelly. | Direct quote by Kelly in the Ash vs Evil Dead Season One episode The Dark One. |
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Let's Light it up! | Use Kelly's Charge attack 100 times. | |
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Take Your Upgrades and Shove It! | Complete the game as Kelly with no health upgrades purchased. | |
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Don't You Just Love a Good Surprise! | Pierce 5 enemies at once with the Kandarian Dagger. | Direct quote said by Kelly in the Ash vs Evil Dead Season Three episode Tales From The Rift. |
|
Puff Puff! PASS! | Pogo off 3 enemies in a row without touching the ground as Kelly. | |
|
Talk About Overkill! | Kill 750 Deadites or humanoids. |
Souvenir Gallery
| Image | Name | In-Game Description |
|---|---|---|
|
Ash's Chainsaw | This chainsaw is perfect for cutting down trees, but it's even better at decapitating Deadites. |
|
Ash's Shotgun | This 12-Gauge double-barreled shotgun is Ash Williams' long range weapon of choice. |
|
Ash's Power Glove | Pablo made the Power Glove from scrap parts and old toys, then gave it to Ash to fight evil. |
|
Ash Williams' Costume | Ash prefers long-sleeve work shirts and dark khakis. Both hide Deadite blood stains. |
|
The Delta | Saved from the Elk Grove Destruction Derby by Brock Williams and gifted to his son, this has been Ash's main mode of transportation ever since. |
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Kelly's Meat Hammer | While made to tenderize tough meat, this meat hammer does a bang-up job bashing in the heads of Deadites. |
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Kelly Maxwell's Costume | Nothing goes better with Kelly's purple leather jacket than blood and guts. |
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The Necronomicon | The Necronomicon Ex-Mortis, a tome made of demon skin, is full of spells and incantations. |
|
Pink F | Ash's buddy, Chet's, signature drink. |
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Shemp's Cola | The Shemp's Cola is the family friendly alternative to the more adult Shemp's beverages. |
Trivia
- Many of the unlockable 3D model souvenirs found in the Ash vs Evil Dead gallery are reused assets from Evil Dead: The Game (which was also published by Boss Team Games).