Undead Knights looks and sounds like it was pulled straight out of a video shoot for a black metal band. Lots of attention was poured into making the copious amounts of blood spray and fluid character movements look awesomely grisly. The extremely high-end cinematic intro cutscene and the blisteringly fast speed metal soundtrack really sets the tone early on, though the latter grows repetitive after a few levels. On the other hand, level designs are pretty basic and far from flashy. Many of the generic-looking soldiers you'll combat also seem pretty drab in comparison to the larger bosses you'll face.

The game suffers from a few control issues where the zombies are concerned that can dampen a portion of the rampaging fun. Combat is generally smooth and handles nicely with the thumbstick and the few basic button combos required for most moves. The problems typically arise when creating, wielding, and directing zombies. Grabbing soldiers amongst a mixed crowd can be imprecise, leaving you with a fistful of squirming zombie rather than your intended victim. Additionally, directing your minions changes the camera to a first-person view and renders you immobile until they've accomplished their task. This means you can be attacked while standing around, though you won't see it coming unless you stop what you're doing.

Undead Knights' frustrating control moments and sometimes dull design elements don't completely outweigh its violent charm. The gruesome, dark premise is slick and the underlying gameplay is definitely enjoyable in short bursts. Being unabashedly evil is also nice for a change. Looking for an excuse to gratuitously cut down hordes of the good-for-nothings that fill up an entire kingdom? This brutal and twisted PSP game has your back.

By Nathan Meunier
CCC Staff Contributor