Skip to main content
GamesRadar+ GamesRadar+ GamesRadar+ The Games, Movies, TV & Comics You Love
Subscribe
flag of UK
UK
flag of US
US
flag of Canada
Canada
flag of Australia
Australia
Gaming Magazines
Gaming Magazines
Why subscribe?
  • Takes you closer to the games, movies and TV you love
  • Try a single issue or save on a subscription
  • Issues delivered straight to your door or device
From$12.99
View
  • News
  • Guides
  • Features
  • Reviews
  • Deals
  • Magazines
    • About Us
    • Retro Gamer
    • Play
    • Total Film
    • Edge
    • SFX
Newsarama
Total Film
Edge
Trending
  • Starfield
  • Baldur's Gate 3
  • New games of 2023
  • Assassin's Creed Mirage

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

  1. PC

Hail to the King: Deathbat is a dream come true for Avenged Sevenfold fans

By GamesRadar Staff
published 17 June 2014

  • Comments
Hail to the King, baby

Hail to the King, baby

To say that Avenged Sevenfold's lead singer, M. Shadows, is a big fan of gaming would be an understatement--but you already knew that if you watched the band's music video at the end of Call of Duty: Black Ops 2. After talking to the guy it became obvious that he's the real deal, with a deep knowledge and love for games (we bet he'd like our list of the 100 best games ever made). And unlike the rest of us, who use that knowledge to get in arguments on the internet, he's doing something with it: making a game based around the music he's known for. Hail to the King: Deathbat (a title referencing the band's album, Hail to the King) is an action-RPG that'll remind you of games like Diablo, but there's a ton there that should make fans of Avenged Sevenfold fans lose their shit.

The game follows the band's mascot, Deathbat, as he attempts to reclaim the underworld from the evil Dark Andronikos. And I use "evil" loosely, since, you know, we're talking about a metal band here, and I'm sure Deathbat isn't the kind of guy you'd want to take home to your parents, either. Those who live and breathe Avenged Sevenfold are undoubtedly going to love the music, which is composed entirely by the band, as well as the bountiful fanservice found throughout the game--you can even buy powerful alternate characters based on different members of the band.

But don't expect a watered-down experience just because it's on mobile. In fact, that's one of the biggest points M. Shadows wanted to make when he showed me the game--Hail to the King: Deathbat is no pushover, and it'll prove to be a challenge to gamers expecting some half-baked tie-in. There are unlockables hidden behind dangerous traps and plenty of other neat secrets and Easter eggs to find. It definitely looks like a good time for fans of the band, and--who knows? It might end up surprising you when it launches this July.

Check out the following screenshots for additional info!

Page 1 of 9
Page 1 of 9
There are a number of different weapons, all of which have unique abilities.

There are a number of different weapons, all of which have unique abilities.

Page 2 of 9
Page 2 of 9
The mobile controls aren't as strong as a mouse and keyboard would be, but they're totally serviceable.

The mobile controls aren't as strong as a mouse and keyboard would be, but they're totally serviceable.

Page 3 of 9
Page 3 of 9
You can collect bats, hidden around the levels.

You can collect bats, hidden around the levels.

Page 4 of 9
Page 4 of 9
A PC release is in the cards, but the developer is focusing on finishing the mobile version first.

A PC release is in the cards, but the developer is focusing on finishing the mobile version first.

Page 5 of 9
Page 5 of 9
Different locations bring different enemies to fight.

Different locations bring different enemies to fight.

Page 6 of 9
Page 6 of 9
The presentation is nice, and filled with winks and nods towards retro gaming.

The presentation is nice, and filled with winks and nods towards retro gaming.

Page 7 of 9
Page 7 of 9
Hail to the King also has a cartoon series on YouTube.

Hail to the King also has a cartoon series on YouTube.

Page 8 of 9
Page 8 of 9
Bad-ass logo? Check.

Bad-ass logo? Check.

Page 9 of 9
Page 9 of 9
  • Comments
GamesRadar Staff
Social Links Navigation

GamesRadar+ was first founded in 1999, and since then has been dedicated to delivering video game-related news, reviews, previews, features, and more. Since late 2014, the website has been the online home of Total Film, SFX, Edge, and PLAY magazines, with comics site Newsarama joining the fold in 2020. Our aim as the global GamesRadar Staff team is to take you closer to the games, movies, TV shows, and comics that you love. We want to upgrade your downtime, and help you make the most of your time, money, and skills. We always aim to entertain, inform, and inspire through our mix of content - which includes news, reviews, features, tips, buying guides, and videos.

More about pc
Baldur's Gate 3 undead

54 hours in, Baldur's Gate 3 delivers two of my favorite RPG bosses ever by letting my Paladin rizz them so hard they explode

FC 24

The complete FC 24 chemistry styles list explained

Latest
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth

The Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth devs get it: it just wouldn't be the same without the JRPG's zany side content

See more latest ►
Most Popular
Unity is sorry about its controversial install fee but isn't removing it completely

By Jordan GerblickSeptember 22, 2023

Super Mario 64 speedrunners find the biggest time save in 20 years with a legendary trick thought to be a meme

By Dustin BaileySeptember 22, 2023

The Boys star Jensen Ackles returns in first look at Gen V cameo

By Lauren MiliciSeptember 22, 2023

New Loki and Ahsoka posters are staring into our souls – and we don’t exactly love it

By Lauren MiliciSeptember 22, 2023

See Hallows' Eve use her masks to become a spooky Captain America

By Will SalmonSeptember 22, 2023

Baldur's Gate 3's actual best spell is already carrying the RPG's cast through their D&D campaign, from their very first roll

By Anne-Marie OstlerSeptember 22, 2023

The 7 best new movies and shows to stream this weekend

By Emily GarbuttSeptember 22, 2023

Patch 3 brings maybe the best Baldur's Gate 3 patch notes yet: "Improved performance in the Lower City"

By Dustin BaileySeptember 22, 2023

As Phantom Liberty cements Cyberpunk 2077's comeback, CDPR gets candid about its horrible launch: "We repeated a lot of mistakes we got away with on Witcher 3"

By Austin WoodSeptember 22, 2023

Nearly three years later, Cyberpunk 2077 devs fix one of its biggest memes

By Hirun CryerSeptember 22, 2023

In 2024 Marvel wants you to Beware the Planet of the Apes

By Will SalmonSeptember 22, 2023

Recommended
Mortal Kombat 1 review: "An exceptional, confident fighting game"
Starfield review: "The best thing Bethesda's done since Oblivion"
  1. FC 24
    1
    EA Sports FC 24 review: "Kicks off the post-FIFA era with precision, power, and panache"
  2. 2
    Payday 3 review: "Competently crafted, yet stubbornly old-school"
  3. 3
    Witchfire review: "Enters Early Access with a bright future ahead of it"
  4. 4
    Cyberpunk 2077 Phantom Liberty review: "The culmination of CD Projekt Red's efforts"
  5. 5
    Party Animals review: "Delivers ample amounts of chaos and chuckles"
  1. The Expendables 4 (2023)
    1
    The Expendables 4: "What was once a fun OAP action series is now DOA"
  2. 2
    Cassandro review: "Should earn Gael García Bernal plenty of Oscar buzz"
  3. 3
    Poolman review: "Chris Pine’s directorial debut is a misfire that should sink without trace"
  4. 4
    Woman of the Hour review: "Anna Kendrick's assured directorial debut"
  5. 5
    Wildcat review: "Ethan and Maya Hawke's literary biopic is stronger on mood than momentum"
  1. Prospero, Camille, Leo, Bill, Tamerlane, and Arthur in Netflix's The Fall of the House of Usher
    1
    The Fall of the House of Usher review: Succession meets AHS in Mike Flanagan's mean-spirited miniseries
  2. 2
    Sex Education season 4 review: "Hasn’t found its modesty, but lacks a certain bite"
  3. 3
    The Continental episode 1 review: "A slog with none of John Wick's glossy magic"
  4. 4
    Ahsoka episode 6 review: "Genuinely disturbing even if it prioritizes style over substance"
  5. 5
    Ahsoka episode 5 review: "Despite being overly steeped in nostalgia it's easily the best episode yet"

GamesRadar+ is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

  • About Us
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Review guidelines
  • Write for us
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Careers

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.