Zombies…we’re obviously in a bit of a brain-blasting mood at the moment with zombie games promised to attack us from all sides and steal our hard-earned cash, but zombie XBLA? Zombie apocalypse is basically what it says on the can – a simple but addictive shooter in which increasingly difficult hoards of zombies try to eat your tasty brains. What is not written on the can is that this game is a clever homage to many popular zombie games including Left 4 Dead (just look at the character select and tell me I’m wrong!) and Dead Rising (anyone up for rescuing some survivors?). So here we go, 50 days of zombies attacks to survive, are you up to the challenge?
Control-wise this game is definitely down the lines of Geometry Wars style games, with your right stick for movement and the left for gun fire. However, they also give you a chainsaw to be wielded with left trigger or used for an execution move with the right trigger. It’s easy to assume that the chainsaw will be the main weapon, but with unlimited ammo on your rifle you’ll find yourself forgetting all about it unless you’re sucking up the achievements. The reason you’ll forget it is that in reality it takes a lot of practice to use it and not die on the later levels. The zombies will move in on you whilst you’re busy decapitating their friend but the main plus to it is the multiplier. One fun addition is the “zombie bait”, which can be thrown to distract the zombies. This comes in the form of a teddy bear with a child’s voice recorded in it. This is a spoiler free review so I’m not about to give you any examples but some of the quotes that are said when you throw the bait are hilarious…and the bait can be useful too!
As in all old skool style games, you aim is to get your score as high as possible. This can be done by racking up the kills without dying (easier said then done, trust me). You receive one multiplier for every five zombies killed or a whopping five multiplier for each zombie executed with a chainsaw, so some degree of tactics does come into play as the chainsaw is your key to some achievements.
One impressive thing is definitely the interaction with the environment, which for an XBLA shooter I found surprisingly detailed. There’s the clichéd explodable barrels but additionally there are hazards for that environment which can be used to burn, mangle or crush any zombies that happen to end up there. Baiting near the environmental hazards can be a definite way forward if you’re in a tough spot!
As you progress through the levels two things occur. New weapons are unlocked giving you dual weapons, flame throwers, grenade launchers and a reasonable amount of other choices. On the flip side, new types of zombie are unlocked to keep the challenge fresh. With everything from a zombie that projectile vomits on you to slow you down (Boomer from L4D anyone?) to sheriffs with shotguns you just never know what this game’s goingto throw at you next! So prepare to be kept on your toes people – this is an apocalypse not a day at the zoo!
With online or local multiplayer for up to four players and additional unlockable modes (anyone fancy “7 days of hell”?) Zombie Apocalypse has plenty to keep you busy and although there is no direct saving you can start play from any day you have unlocked. Luckily there are no insane achievements for doing the whole lot in one go or anything so this system works just fine.
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