Few games manage multiple gameplay elements as well as Zombie Cure Lab. Usually, you would find three, maybe four, things you must handle, and only one would be polished, the rest just there for a fall-over applause. Zombie Cure Lab, on the other hand, did a great job with all its features, so I was left wondering which should be considered the main gameplay loop.
Developed by Thera Bytes GmbH and published by Aerosoft GmbH, Zombie Cure Lab is a base builder & defender, survivor colony sim with zombies.
From loading up the first time to closing it the last time, Zombie Cure Lab had me hooked by the teeth. For once, I find myself without many notes for a game, but that does not mean it gets a 10/10.
Building a Zombie Cure Lab
This game tries to juggle many things from the very start, and it does a very fine job at it. However, if I were forced to pack everything into a main gameplay loop, I would be left with two parent categories. So, let’s talk about Base building and Zombie Survival.
Base Building
Zombie Cure Lab does not do anything fancy or new with its base-building systems. It is a simple mix of Tycoon-style base building and Sims-esque resource management.
You start with a set of scientists and workers, and must build them a place to live. Managing both physical and psychological health is the main goal(Sleep, food, entertainment, etc).
After that, you begin foraging for more tools and build bases based on needs. This involves creating protection devices and other builds to upgrade or improve the base.
However, the main goal of this is, first and foremost, to defend yourself from the eventual horde of zombies.
Zombies Survival
Each round, you start with a location with little basic equipment and must build it up to create a base to defend yourself. These changes, round by round, in location, resources, and difficulty, add to the enjoyment of the game.
As expected, you will eventually be attacked by a horde of zombies, and you must hold them off base-defence style.
Before, during, and after each zombie horde’s attack, you must continue to rebuild and upgrade your base for the next invasion.
After the required number of hordes have been dealt with, you shall win the round. If your central hub is destroyed by the zombies, you lose.
Zombie Plot B
As far as the plot goes, it is just a generic zombie has taken over the world cliche-B. I cannot tell you exactly how it goes, as it all flew over my head when I was playing.
The story of Zombie Cure Lab is portrayed in the same way as Overcooked. After each round, you might get some undertext or a little cutscene, it even has a similar map theme’s mission select screen.
However, ultimately, it does not matter. The story takes a back seat so the gameplay can take centre stage.
The Zombie Game!
Zombie Cure Lab is not trying to be the next big revolution, and that works in its favour. It knows what it wants to be, and it sticks the landing.
Base building, zombie defence, and colony sim elements are all handled with care. Nothing feels half-baked, and that’s rare for a game juggling this many systems.
The plot may be forgettable, but the gameplay is strong enough to keep you coming back. If you enjoy games where planning, upgrading, and surviving feel like one smooth motion, then Zombie Cure Lab is worth the download. Just don’t expect a deep narrative ride.
