The Evil Within: The Executioner DLC (PC) Review

The third and final DLC for The Evil Within, The Evil Within: The Executioner, has been released, and unlike the other two pieces of DLC, this one takes a different approach. Instead of the conventional 3rd person / over-the-shoulder view, gamers are treated to a 1st person perspective similar to what you’ll find in other titles such as Zeno Clash and Dying Light. I have to say that it works out well, especially since I had my reservations about the change-up. After playing for a while, I  was pleasantly surprised with how well this worked out.

Game Name: The Evil Within – The Executioner DLC
Platform(s): PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC (Reviewed)
Publisher(s): Bethesda Softworks
Developer(s): Tango Gameworks
Release Date: May 26th, 2015
Price: $4.99, free with the Season Pass

You get to switch perspectives in this DLC; you are no longer a “Good Guy” trying to unravel clues on the STEM system or trying to solve a case. No, this time around, you’ll be playing as the Keeper. Yep, you’re now the very same guy who gave you so much grief during the original The Evil Within campaign. However, it doesn’t change the fact that you’re still here for a specific reason, and while you’re playing as a homicidal madman, the game paints a different picture and explains why the character acts as he does. While the end won’t tug at your heartstrings, it will make you feel a little indifferent to how the characters in The Evil Within are portrayed, or at least the Keeper and his position in the game.

As the Keeper, you have access to this huge spiked hammer, which is your primary weapon. However, you are also armed with spike traps that can wrap an opponent up for a few seconds, and as you progress through the game, you also get to pick up other items, such as a rocket launcher, molotov cocktail, and dynamite. You can also upgrade several attributes such as movement speed, your defense so you can take more damage, the hammer, and your health, all of which greatly enhance your gameplay. Since the items and upgrades, prices tend to rise as you purchase or upgrade, and since you don’t get enough access to everything, you’ll have to choose what you’ll pick up. The upgrades won’t make or break your play-through but will make it easier, so choose wisely.

Before I go any further, I have to let you know that I am a huge fan of The Evil Within and its previous DLC offerings, yet I’m not sure how I feel about The Executioner DLC. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a fun ride, but it’s also a very short one. Clocking in at just under 2 hours, The Executioner DLC plays out like a hitman looking for a mark. The gameplay is straightforward; progress through the area until you get to the portal and then defeat the enemies and boss in that area. Enemies range from generic ones you encountered in the original The Evil Within campaign, a few bosses from it, and even a former partner. It plays out like a deathmatch from an FPS that repeats itself.

Nothing here will make you jump; it won’t have you on the edge of your chair as you progress through the game, which is sad as that was the entire draw of the game in the first place. I mean, this is supposed to be survival horror… right? Not so much this time around, I’m afraid.

The Executioner is a fun ride, yet very predictable. Even the last boss encounter can be figured out well before you even encounter it, which is saying something. For a game that was easily in my running for GOTY in 2014, I can’t believe this piece of DLC serves as the final episode – the conclusion, as you may. That’s not to say that The Executioner DLC isn’t bad; however, the initial play-through is too short. As soon as you start to hit your stride, it ends. It’s a damned shame, as it’s gratifying. Who doesn’t like smashing people over the head or tossing them headfirst into a wall, spike trap, or worse?

Thankfully there is more meat in the new game+, where you’ll have access to a battle room where you’ll face off against familiar faces and even more stuff at the end.