{{Short description|2007 video game}} {{Infobox video game |title= Touch the Dead |image= Touch the Dead.jpeg |developer= [[Dream On Studio]] |publisher= [[Virgin Play]]{{efn|Released under V.2 Play in North America.}} |designer= |series= |engine= |released= {{vgrelease|EU|March 26, 2007<ref>https://www.amazon.es/Dead-n-Furious-Nintendo-DS/dp/B000MAH41G</ref>|NA|May 16, 2007|UK|October 4, 2007<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20071210020355/https://www.amazon.co.uk/Dead-n-Furious-Nintendo-DS/dp/B000MAH41G</ref>}} |genre= [[shooter game|Shooter]]/[[Survival horror]] |modes= [[Single player]], [[Multiplayer video game|multiplayer]] |composer= [[Allister Brimble]], Anthony N. Putson, Paul Carter |platforms= [[Nintendo DS]] }} '''''Touch the Dead''''' (also known as '''''Dead 'n' Furious''''' in Europe) is a [[Shoot 'em up#Tube and rail shooters|rail shooter]]/[[survival horror]] game for the [[Nintendo DS]] [[Video game developer|developed]] by French company [[Dream On Studio]] and published by [[Virgin Play]] for the [[Nintendo DS]].
==Gameplay== ''Touch the Dead'' is a [[Shoot 'em up#Tube and rail shooters|rail shooter]]. Players use the [[Stylus (computing)|stylus]] to point at oncoming [[zombie]]s on the bottom screen. Pointing fires the weapon Steiner has equipped, and shots can be delivered to the head, arms, legs, and stomach.
To reload, players must simply grab a [[Clip (firearms)|clip]] icon (located in the bottom right-hand corner of the touch screen), and drag it to the bottom left hand corner which has an image of the 'magazine'.
The [[D-pad]] and face buttons of the console are simply used to switch weapons. Both serve the same purpose, and work for both [[right-handed]] and [[left-handed]] players.
Health and ammunition can be recovered by shooting crates and cabinets. The player also has the option of shooting switches to open doors and choose a left or right path when a fork appears. Either path chosen will still yield the same bonuses.
===Weapons=== *[[Handgun]]: The first weapon Steiner obtains. It is the weakest of the game's firearms, doing the least amount of damage. It does, however, have unlimited ammunition. The handgun does not allow belly shots. Steiner finds the handgun on the floor in Chapter 1. Resembles the Beretta M9/92F. *[[Shotgun]]: A standard pump-action shotgun. The shotgun is most effective at close range, and can blow off heads and stomachs. Steiner finds the shotgun in a control room in Chapter 1. Resembles the Spas 12 shotgun. *[[Submachine Gun]]: Steiner's only fully automatic weapon in the game. He obtains it while stopping in a shack, located in the swamps of Chapter 3. Resembles the MP5 type K. *[[Crowbar (tool)|Crowbar]]: Steiner's only melee weapon, also used to break down certain doors. Steiner gets it from the boss of Chapter 2. Resembles a crowbar.
==Storyline== Protagonist Rob Steiner, or Prisoner #1809, has been transferred to Ashdown Hole State Penitentiary. Steiner has been accused of and sentenced for a murder that he did not commit. The intro movie shows him being transferred, and his mugshots. Resting in his cell, Steiner's cell door opens. Seeing his chance for escape, Steiner flees his cell into the Penitentiary, which is mysteriously occupied by zombies. By the game's end, Steiner has gone through the entire prison, the sewer system, the prison hospital, and the rooftops of the prison. Steiner eventually escapes, but realizes that there is much more to go. He finds an airboat that he uses to dredge through a thick swamp, until he eventually comes to an abandoned military base. Steiner fights his way through the zombie-infested base, and is ultimately rescued via helicopter. It is also implied, though not mentioned directly that Steiner was placed there on purpose by the military or whoever it was that rescued him. The moment Steiner is saved, one of the men tells him that they did not believe he would make it out and that Steiner is more dangerous than they had previously thought. It ends with Steiner being placed in handcuffs and the choppers leaving what appears to be an island.
==Development and release== In March 2006, Spanish video game publisher Virgin Play announced they had acquired worldwide publishing rights to the title.<ref>https://www.gamesindustry.biz/virgin-play-will-publish-dead-furious-for-nintendo-ds</ref>
The game was distributed under [[Eidos Interactive]]'s Secret Stash Games label in North America. A week following its US release, the game reached the Top 10 in game sales for the DS that week.<ref>https://www.gamesindustry.biz/touch-the-dead-the-american-title-for-virgin-playacutes-dead-n-furious-makes-the-top-10-for-nintendo-ds-in-its-first-week-of-launch</ref>
The game's North American box art was created by artist [[Arthur Suydam]], famous for his work on the ''[[Marvel Zombies]]'' line of comics.
==Reception== {{Video game reviews | MC = 56/100<ref name=MC>{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/touch-the-dead/ |title=Touch the Dead |website=[[Metacritic]] |publisher=[[Fandom (website)|Fandom]] |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20250115030556/https://www.metacritic.com/game/touch-the-dead/ |archivedate=January 15, 2025 |url-status=live |accessdate=January 15, 2025}}</ref> | 1UP = D+<ref>{{cite web |last=Donahoe |first=Michael |date=May 31, 2007 |url=http://www.1up.com/reviews/touch-the-dead |title=Touch the Dead |website=1Up.com |publisher=[[Ziff Davis]] |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160612080056/http://www.1up.com/reviews/touch-the-dead |archivedate=June 12, 2016 |accessdate=August 19, 2020}}</ref> | AVC = C+<ref>{{cite web |last=Dahlen |first=Chris |date=June 4, 2007 |url=https://www.avclub.com/touch-the-dead-1798211510 |title=Touch The Dead |website=[[The A.V. Club]] |publisher=[[G/O Media]] |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20101104011851/http://www.avclub.com/articles/touch-the-dead,7795/ |archivedate=November 4, 2010 |url-status=live |accessdate=November 19, 2024}}</ref> | EuroG = 5/10<ref>{{cite web |last=Parkin |first=Simon |date=July 3, 2007 |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/ds-roundup-review?page=2 |title=DS Roundup (Page 2) |website=[[Eurogamer]] |publisher=[[Gamer Network]] |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20211030162452/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/ds-roundup-review?page=2 |archivedate=October 30, 2021 |url-status=live |accessdate=January 16, 2025}}</ref> | GI = 7/10<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Reiner |first=Andrew |url=https://archive.org/details/game-informer-issue-170-june-2007/page/116/mode/2up |title=Touch the Dead |magazine=[[Game Informer]] |publisher=[[GameStop]] |issue=170 |date=June 2007 |page=117 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070613200353/http://www.gameinformer.com/NR/exeres/F7CD0167-4055-42DF-B433-B2DBF6C2AACB.htm |archivedate=June 13, 2007 |url-status=live |accessdate=January 15, 2025}}</ref> | GD = 7/10<ref>{{cite web |last=Workman |first=Robert |date=May 23, 2007 |url=http://www.gamedaily.com/games/touch-the-dead/ds/game-reviews/review/6012/1639/ |title=Touch the Dead Review |website=[[GameDaily]] |publisher=[[AOL]] |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081010232625/http://www.gamedaily.com/games/touch-the-dead/ds/game-reviews/review/6012/1639/ |archivedate=October 10, 2008 |accessdate=January 15, 2025}}</ref> | GSpot = 5.5/10<ref name=GSpot>{{cite web |last=Davis |first=Ryan |date=May 21, 2007 |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/touch-the-dead-review/1900-6171242/ |title=Touch the Dead Review |website=[[GameSpot]] |publisher=Fandom |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20241126204850/https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/touch-the-dead-review/1900-6171242/ |archivedate=November 26, 2024 |url-status=live |accessdate=January 15, 2025}}</ref> | GSpy = 2/5<ref>{{cite web |last=Stratton |first=Bryan |date=May 29, 2007 |url=http://ds.gamespy.com/nintendo-ds/dead-and-furious/792388p1.html |title=GameSpy: Touch the Dead |website=[[GameSpy]] |publisher=IGN Entertainment |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070601165022/http://ds.gamespy.com/nintendo-ds/dead-and-furious/792388p1.html |archivedate=June 1, 2007 |accessdate=August 19, 2020}}</ref> | GameZone = 5.9/10<ref>{{cite web |last=Grabowski |first=Dakota |date=June 8, 2007 |url=https://gamezone.com/reviews/touch_the_dead_nds_review/ |title=Touch the Dead - NDS - Review |website=GameZone |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090124055610/http://nds.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r31645.htm |archivedate=January 24, 2009 |url-status=live |accessdate=August 19, 2020}}</ref> | IGN = 6.9/10<ref name=IGN>{{cite web |last=Harris |first=Craig |date=May 23, 2007 |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2007/05/23/touch-the-dead-review |title=Touch the Dead Review |website=[[IGN]] |publisher=Ziff Davis |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20250115031947/https://www.ign.com/articles/2007/05/23/touch-the-dead-review |archivedate=January 15, 2025 |url-status=live |accessdate=January 15, 2025}}</ref> | NLife = 8/10<ref name=NLife>{{cite web |last=McFerran |first=Damien |date=April 24, 2007 |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/2007/04/dead_n_furious_ds |title=Dead 'N' Furious Review |website=Nintendo Life |publisher=[[Gamer Network|Hookshot Media]] |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230321195426/https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/2007/04/dead_n_furious_ds |archivedate=March 21, 2023 |url-status=live |accessdate=January 15, 2025}}</ref> | NP = 5.5/10<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Touch the Dead |magazine=[[Nintendo Power]] |publisher=[[Nintendo|Nintendo of America]] |volume=217 |date=July 2007 |page=95}}</ref> | PG = 3/5<ref>{{cite web |last=Jordan |first=Jon |date=July 2, 2007 |url=https://www.pocketgamer.com/dead-n-furious/touch-the-dead-aka-dead-n-furious/ |title=Touch The Dead (aka Dead N Furious) |website=[[Pocket Gamer]] |publisher=Steel Media Ltd |archiveurl=https://archive.today/20250115032448/https://www.pocketgamer.com/dead-n-furious/touch-the-dead-aka-dead-n-furious/ |archivedate=January 15, 2025 |url-status=live |accessdate=January 15, 2025}}</ref> | Retro = 65%<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Jones |first=Darren |title=Dead 'N' Furious |magazine=[[Retro Gamer]] |publisher=[[Imagine Publishing]] |issue=45 |date=December 6, 2007}}</ref> | XPlay = 1/5<ref>{{cite web |last=Sewart |first=Greg |date=July 17, 2007 |url=http://www.g4tv.com/xplay/reviews/1546/Touch_the_Dead.html |title=Touch the Dead |website=[[X-Play]] |publisher=[[G4 Media (TV company)|G4 Media]] |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080704202529/http://www.g4tv.com/xplay/reviews/1546/Touch_the_Dead.html |archivedate=July 4, 2008 |accessdate=January 15, 2025}}</ref> | rev1 = ''411Mania'' | rev1Score = 7/10<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.mobygames.com/game/31560/touch-the-dead/reviews/ |title=Touch the Dead reviews |website=[[MobyGames]] |publisher=[[Atari SA]] |archiveurl=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/sIPCZ |archivedate=January 15, 2025 |url-status=live |accessdate=January 15, 2025}}</ref> }}
The game received "mixed" reviews according to the [[Review aggregator|review aggregation]] website [[Metacritic]].<ref name=MC/> It was heavily criticized for its "blocky" graphics and repetitive sound; however, it received great appreciation for its innovative gameplay which makes excellent use of the touch screen.{{citation needed|date=October 2017}} Most complaints stemmed from its reloading system which requires the player to move a magazine from one side of the screen to the other to reload, wasting precious seconds in an already difficult game.{{citation needed|date=October 2017}} ''[[IGN]]'' cited its mediocre graphics and poor originality.<ref name=IGN/> ''[[GameSpot]]'' also criticized the graphics, but still appreciated its original gameplay.<ref name=GSpot/> ''[[GamePro]]'' said that the game was "laughably bad at points but there's a loveable{{sic}} camp quality to it that makes it worth enduring through."<ref>{{cite magazine |author=Long Haired Offender |url=http://www.gamepro.com/nintendo/ds/games/reviews/112300.shtml |title=Touch the Dead |magazine=[[GamePro]] |publisher=[[International Data Group|IDG Entertainment]] |issue=226 |date=July 2007 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080205202445/http://www.gamepro.com/nintendo/ds/games/reviews/112300.shtml |archivedate=February 5, 2008 |accessdate=August 19, 2020}}</ref>{{efn|''[[GamePro]]'' gave the game 3.5/5 for graphics, 1.75/5 for sound, 3/5 for control, and 2.75/5 for fun factor.}} ''Nintendo Life'' gave the game a positive review while it was still in development.<ref name=NLife/>
{{clear}}
==Notes== {{notelist}}
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== * {{moby game|id=/31560/touch-the-dead/}}
[[Category:2007 video games]] [[Category:Eidos Interactive games]] [[Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games]] [[Category:Nintendo DS games]] [[Category:Nintendo DS-only games]] [[Category:Rail shooters]] [[Category:Survival horror video games]] [[Category:Video games about zombies]] [[Category:Video games developed in France]] [[Category:Video games scored by Allister Brimble]]