Michael Myers, the iconic slasher from the Halloween franchise, is making a comeback in a big way. Boss Team Games has recently announced the release of two 16-bit side-scrolling action games based on classic horror franchises, Halloween and Evil Dead. Set to launch this October, RetroRealms: Halloween and RetroRealms: Ash vs Evil Dead mark the beginning of a new franchise for the publisher, focusing on bringing horror movie favorites to the gaming world with an arcade-style twist.
The official announcement trailer showcases the pixelated gore and action-packed gameplay of both games. Players will take control of Halloween’s Michael Myers and Evil Dead’s Ash Williams as they navigate levels inspired by their respective film franchises, battling enemies and facing off against towering boss battles. The nostalgic tone of the games harkens back to classic movie tie-in games like Super Star Wars that were popular in the Eighties and Nineties.
While Ash Williams has made recent appearances in games like Evil Dead: The Game, Michael Myers has not starred in an official tie-in game since 1983’s Halloween for the Atari 2600. This makes the upcoming RetroRealms games a highly anticipated return for fans of the Halloween franchise.
Developed by WayForward Technologies, known for their retro-inspired 2D platformers, the games promise to deliver a thrilling experience for players. The announcement also teases crossover content for those who purchase both games, allowing them to explore each other’s worlds and play as different characters from the franchises.
In addition to Michael Myers and Ash Williams, players can expect to see other beloved characters like Laurie Strode and Kelly Maxwell added as playable characters through downloadable content. This incentivizes fans to purchase both games as a „double feature“ bundle, similar to the approach taken by popular franchises like Pokémon.
With the involvement of John Carpenter, the director of the original Halloween film and overseer of the franchise, in the development of at least one of the games, the RetroRealms series is shaping up to be a must-play for horror and gaming enthusiasts alike. Carpenter is also working on his own game, John Carpenter’s Toxic Commando, set to release later this year.
Fans of both Halloween and Evil Dead will be excited to see these two horror movie giants clash once again in the gaming world. RetroRealms: Halloween and RetroRealms: Ash vs Evil Dead are scheduled for release on October 18, 2024, across multiple platforms including PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC. Get ready to immerse yourself in the pixelated terror of Michael Myers and Ash Williams as they carve their way through unsuspecting foes in these thrilling new games.