Zombies Review

Ever work in an office with a bunch of middle managers who didn’t seem to do anything but spew buzzwords all day? It’s almost like working with a bunch of zombies. And what if those zombie-like yes men were to become actual zombies? Well that wouldn’t be conducive to a productive work environment at all. Incidentally, neither is Zombies.

One day the ever-ambivalent Dude comes to realize that all of the “suits” in his department have been zombified. With a little encouragement (and a lot of apathy), he takes to the halls and kind of fights his way to freedom. Each of the 25 levels typically revolves around rescuing living coworkers, killing zombie managers, smashing just about everything in sight, and possibly even getting to the exit. The controls, while appearing like a set of dual digital pads, actually function more like a dual-stick setup with the addition of weapon selection icons on the top of the screen. New implements of destruction are introduced every couple of levels or so, and each of them (save bare fists) can be useful depending on the situation.

Confession time: I’m in love with Zombies’ style. Everything from the music to the weapons to the stylized pixilated visuals to the destructible environments and the sheer carnage that appears on the screen after a particularly hectic rush is almost drool inducing. Limbs fly, glass shatters, blood sprays, and more than once things might catch fire. These fires even serve a purpose at times, acting as a vital source of light in a near pitch black parking garage, for example. I also have to admit that while the voice acting is rather dubious the humor itself is pretty darn effective at eliciting a chuckle or two.

Now I nitpick. I’ve already mentioned the voice acting that, while respectable for a group of folks with no formal training, is still pretty weak. Of course it’s probably not going to ruin anyone’s good time. On the other hand I did have a couple of minor issues with the control sticks. Thumbs slipping off of the detectable area resulting in some ill-timed immobility or pacifism, mostly.

That’s the extent of my complaining, though. Really I’ve just been having an absolute blast with Zombies and I can’t wait to jump back in for more. An update with some slightly more forgiving hit boxes for the control sticks would certainly be nice, but it’s nowhere near a necessity. Grab it. Play it. Love it.