Zombies Overloaded takes the idea of an arcade shooter a little too far. Unfortunately, it is as deep as a zombie’s intellect. Accordingly, I could only enjoy it casually. Thankfully, this doesn’t detract from the gruesome madness and the violence on offer.
This top-down, never-ending horde shooter was developed by Vinterm Games and published by Brainium Games. It is a single-player experience where gore or pacifism is the aim of the game. Although this may appear to be a contradiction, it isn’t. The developer lets you choose peace or violence as you escape or tackle the brain-munching horde.
Zombies Overloaded = death, bones, and no story.
If you want a hearty plot and a reason for living, Zombies Overloaded isn’t the game for you. I can’t say why the hero is fighting the undead. However, I know that they are screwed! A cursed arena with no escape traps the muscle-bound fool. Luckily, they are armed with a pistol and the ability to use it. Yet, as time flies by, the hordes become bigger, faster, and deadlier.
The protagonist must do everything possible to avoid the zombies and kill everything in sight. Furthermore, they must tackle a hulking boss who evolves as the waves progress. This is easier said than done, and failure will be your new best friend.
Different modes, but same result.
No matter if you choose to kill or run, the result will be the same. Death is just around the corner, and you’d better be prepared. The pacifist option was a little lacklustre. Running from waves of zombies with no way to defend yourself was pointless. Accordingly, I spent little time in this game mode.
Where Zombies Overloaded excels is the brutal fighting arena. Grabbing a new weapon or power-up gives you an edge to overcome every problem. Moreover, dodging between the gateways allows you to move the zombies into a killing funnel. Whether it is a laser gun, assault rifle, shotgun, or nuke, you’ll enjoy the carnage.
As the zombies fall, they can drop bones. Alternatively, golden skull coins can be grabbed to invest in upgrades, new maps, or skins. The upgrade system is relatively limited, and this adds little depth. Additionally, there are only 2 extra maps to buy. As such, it is somewhat repetitive.
Zombies Overloaded is gory as hell!
Though the action lacks depth, visually, I adored it. The zombies shift and slide perfectly. Furthermore, the bloody gore is fantastic. Limbs, blood, and bones cover the arena floor. It could be deemed a little excessive, but I don’t care. Arcade gaming is all about the shock factor, and this gets it just right.
Zombies Overloaded is exceptionally loud. The guns echo and crash repeatedly. Moreover, the zombies rarely shut up. If that isn’t enough, the voice of a commentator highlights key moments. This adds excitement and drama to an already hellish experience.
Simple controls.
Thankfully, this is easy to play. Dash, aim your gun, and shoot are all you need to master. A thorough tutorial gets you set up, and the rest is down to your reactions, luck, and a small slice of skill. I wouldn’t suggest that younger gamers should play it, as it is far too violent.
If you enjoy casual arcade-inspired games, then Zombies Overloaded should be on your radar. Each short, sharp round is interesting, challenging, and amusing. However, it soon becomes repetitive, and you may lose interest. Consequently, replay value isn’t at the fore.
Zombies Overloaded is great in small bursts.
I don’t want to be too negative. Though Zombies Overloaded is shallow, I enjoyed it regardless. Mindless action is a nice break from more complex titles, and who doesn’t enjoy killing zombies? Accordingly, it’s great in small bursts, and I highly recommend buying it here! Can you avoid the horde and survive? Grab a gun, keep moving, and pray for some luck.
