Nearly Dead – Live and Let Die is a fun and often cruel zombie experience. Moreover, it is great to play casually and can be enjoyed solo or cooperatively with another. Additionally, there is a range of characters to pick from, a smattering of guns to buy and find, and plenty of brain-chewing zombies to annihilate. As such, it is good mindless fun that can eat up hours of your day.
This Early Access rouge-like title was developed and published by Mono Software, Inc. What’s more, it incorporates some survival elements and monstrous waves of zombies to destroy. On top of this, you must explore a range of strange locations and defeat gargantuan and often cruel bosses if you wish to progress. As such, this isn’t a game for the faint of heart.
Nearly Dead – Live and Let Die has no story.
I was somewhat disappointed to discover a lack of a story. Though this isn’t essential in this genre, it is always pleasant to have something that underpins everything you see and do. Furthermore, when an array of characters is on offer, a backstory is quite a pleasant distraction. Yet, this wasn’t to be, and you plod along and kill everything in sight, regardless.
Though there isn’t a plot, there is plenty of depth nevertheless. Thanks to an impressive weapon upgrade system, perks, and character strengths and weaknesses, there are plenty of opportunities to customise this into your play style. On top of this, you can be as aggressive or defensive as you wish. Thanks to the varied weaponry, you can go toe to toe with each zombie or take potshots from a distance. Either way, you must destroy everything you see and survive for as long as possible.
A simple gameplay loop.
Nearly Dead – Live and Let Die uses a 3 stage gameplay loop to create familiarity. This simple approach was appreciated. However, it may be too basic for veterans of this genre. Accordingly, I’d like to see this expand as the game evolves to add more depth and further gameplay options. Yet, in its current build, you must survive a nighttime attack on your base, followed by a period of peace. Finally, you must explore a random location to hunt for loot and kill more zombies.
This gameplay loop continues until you wish to progress. When this happens, you will enter a boss stage that will test your equipment, perks, skills, and resolve. In a typical rogue-like fashion, if you die, and you likely will, your progress is wiped, and you must return to the home screen. Here, you can invest your hard-earned points in upgrading equipment. This is essential as the better the gear you have, the more likely you will survive. What’s more, you can adjust your character’s base perks to alter your approach as you try new and whacky ways to succeed.
Nearly Dead – Live and Let Die is wonderfully pixelated.
The top-down perspective and the pixelated graphics work incredibly well together. Furthermore, the use of earthy colours and varied environments keep you on your toes. My only complaint is a lack of base-building elements to enhance the gameplay further. However, don’t let this put you off an otherwise polished title.
The audio is uncomfortable, loud, and in your face. Moreover, the soundtrack is wonderfully oppressive and the moan of every zombie will make your skin crawl. Whether it was the slash of a blade, the thump of a pipe, or the shot of a pistol, things never got boring.
Simple controls.
The developers have created a well-mapped layout that is easy to navigate and simple to understand. Moreover, the blend of skills and abilities is incorporated well into the main body of the action. As such, no matter what approach you take, you will not struggle to pick this up.
Though this is unfortunately short, there is plenty of replay value and longevity. Thanks to the number of characters on offer and the massive arsenal of weapons, no playthrough is ever the same. Yes, I’d like more content added, but there is plenty to see and do, especially if you tackle this with another player.
Nearly Dead – Live and Let Die is a great indie title.
Zombie survival games are nothing new. Accordingly, developers must do a lot to stand out from the crowd. Though this is early days, I think Nearly Dead – Live and Let Die has done just that. With its fun gameplay and easy-to-follow mechanics, this is a great casual experience. Additionally, the ability to play it with your friends is a nice bonus. Therefore, I loved it and I recommend that you buy it here! Can you annihilate every zombie and survive to see another day? Pick a character, choose a weapon, and hope that luck is on your side.
