- Developer: Rebellion Developments
- Publisher: Rebellion Developments
- Price: $34.99 / £29.99
- Release Date: 31/03/2020
- Review code provided by Rebellion Developments
Introducing: Zombie Army Trilogy Switch Review
Zombies have evolved over the years from the slow, leg dragging, flesh eating undead portrayed by George A. Romero in Night Of The Living Dead and the brilliantly hilarious love letter to George’s work, Shaun Of The Dead to the fast-paced, parasite-infested corpses seen in the Resident Evil series. There’s no denying how popular these unanimated fellas have become over the years and the gaming world is no different.
Nazi Zombies have had a hard time over the years, constantly being the bad guy. No wonder they have to travel in droves just to stand a chance in surviving. Zombies Lives Matter…
You’ve Got Red On You
What started out as a spin-off to Sniper Elite back in 2015, Zombie Army became a fan favourite inevitably leading to its own standalone series. The latest instalment, Zombie Army Trilogy, brought to you by Rebellion includes remastered versions of the first two games and a brand new chapter. The game features a huge campaign mode containing fifteen levels, up to four player co-op online or locally, and the all-new Horde mode, which ask the player to stay alive by any means necessary over five maps.
The story takes place in the final days of WW2. The Führer himself, Adolf Hitler, has one more ace up his sleeve, an undead army of super-soldiers that he unleashes to bring the rest of Europe to its knees. As you trudge across war-torn Germany every movement, every decision and every tactic is critical to your survival.
The remaster of Zombie Army looks great on the Switch in both docked and handheld mode. The cinematic feel in the cutscenes are pretty impressive and Rebellion have done a fantastic job of achieving the atmosphere that is vital for this genre. Just to warn you, this game is not for the faint-hearted. There were many occasions in which I found myself running around like a headless chicken trying to find ammo and escaping the fearless horde by clambering into the safe house with an inch of my life. Zombie Army will definitely cause an adrenaline spike, giving you the feeling that your heart is racing. It is by no means a horror game, but it does a good job at making you jump and soil your Lederhosen.
Arrrrrggggghhhhh, Zombies!
The level design can become pretty predictable as you progress through the game with a combination of big open spaces, tight corridors and safe rooms leaving the gameplay rather linear. But, the scenery and environment look great, especially in handheld mode which deters you from the repetitiveness by keeping the game visually fresh. The levels are also a little on the long side, and for new players these stages can take around one hour per stage to complete. This can become tiresome for long periods of time with the constant onslaught of Zombies. It can feel overwhelming and brutal but luckily the game is generous when it comes to checkpoints, so there is no need to worry about losing much progress if you need to a break and want to quit.
To keep you on your toes, there are a variety of enemies to overcome from the more familiar foe, jumping zombies with guns, kamikaze Nazis and possessed skeletons. One technique that you need to master quickly is the ability to headshot. Remember, the assailants can be stopped by removing the head or destroying the brain. I will repeat that: by removing the head or destroying the brain…
Another tip, if ammo is scarce, your foot can get you through some tricky situations. Kicking zombies to the ground and stomping on their head can be pretty effective.
Boom Goes The Dynamite
With over twenty-five weapons, there are definitely plenty of choices. They are split between four categories: Primary (Sniper Rifles), Secondary (Automatic), Tertiary (Pistols) and explosives. My personal favourite is the Preacher shotgun as it can cause massive damage at a reasonable range but is limited by its two bullet barrel. So, it is good to use for popping off the last few stragglers.
The X-Ray kill-cam is a fun addition to the game which can be triggered when using a sniper rifle. The cinematics are gruesome and satisfying especially when you have a clean headshot. I am not sure what initiates the kill-cam, but each one shows the bullet in slow motion as it hurtles towards your target and takes them out showing an X-ray image of the body, reminiscent of an X-ray attack in Mortal Kombat.
If you want a break from the main campaign you can test your skills in Horde Mode: an endless barrage of zombies broken up over waves and five maps. How long can you last? I did terribly. A bit of practice is needed, I think, to last the long haul. You need to learn how to be resourceful.
Conclusion
Zombie Army Trilogy is a great addition to the Switch library and a must-buy for any fans of Call Of Duty and Sniper Elite. Co-op mode is a blast, letting you jump in and out of random games to help fellow comrades. You can also gather your friends to play locally or online to aid you through the campaign, as going solo can prove to be brutal and unforgiving in places. Rebellion has included a generous amount of content for the price tag and offers endless hours of fun especially with Horde Mode. The cinematics and gameplay are high quality, looking and feeling great in both docked and handheld mode, with the X-ray kill-cam being a fun addition to the game. The level design can feel slightly repetitive throughout the game, but there is enough variety to keep you coming back for more.
Pros
- X-ray Kill-Cam
- Local and online co-op play
- Plenty of characters and weapons to chose from
- Horde Mode
Cons
- Levels can feel repetitive
- Can get overwhelming at times
- Online can be laggy
Verdict
Best enjoyed in co-op mode with your mates, this adrenaline-fueled zombie shooter will keep you on the edge of your seat.
4/5
