Zombie Apocalypse 2: Never Die Alone Review

[Flibbity Floid]

Title: Zombie Apocalypse: Never Die Alone

 

Developer: Konami

 

Publisher: Backbone Entertainment

 

Platform: XBLA

 

 

"Get a Kit, Make a Plan, Be Prepared"

 

It never ends. The Apocalypse seems to continue and stretch into the realms of forever or at least, 11 levels more. Luckily, you have a sweet arsenal and co-op capabilities to handle it. Four new survivors take the stage in this sequel to last years Zombie Apocalypse 3/4 shooter arcade game. Last time around, you had simple objectives:

 

-Hold your ground

-Protect your team and any other survivors

-Don't die!!

 

Most of the zombies last time around pretty much took you right out if you weren't careful. Now, you have a much better life bar and ways to heal thankfully. Instead of holding down one area, most of the game has actual levels. Consider it like Left 4 Dead with a 3/4 view. Zombies still shuffle and jolt in from all angles and only get more persistent and worse as they swarm. There are cleaver throwing grandmas, kamikaze napalm zombies and many more. There's also a few "monster zombies" in the forms of a pregnant granny of some sorts, which is a riot, and a sheriff and deputy. They also upgrade as the game progresses. There are also some environmental hazards to use to your advantage such as a plane propeller and a giant swinging doughnut!

 

"Choose Your Instrument of Destruction"

 

The four characters each have a different ranged/melee weapon (cane, golf club etc)and special and super attacks as well. I'm not sure of all their names due to their annoyances but here are their titles and layouts:

 

The Geek - Auto-machine gun, C-4 Teddy Bear and Double Speed/Damage Burst

Preacher - Wide range Shotgun, Molotov Cocktail and AOE Heal

Rapper - Dual Pistols, Disco ball distraction and Cricket Bat Attack

Babe - Sniper Rifle, Propane Tank and Auto Mounted Turret

 

There are also special weapons to temporarily pick up like a chainsaw, nail gun, grenade launcher and so on. The game progresses nicely and throws back to the original with areas that just flood with zombies by the ton!

 

"More, MORE, MOAR"

 

Much like the first game as well, it supports four player drop in/out co-op and unlocks 2 other modes after the game. There is Classic Mode which is pretty much the original version of whatever level but as a single hold-off position and Blackout mode which pits you against the hordes in complete darkness!!

 

Graphics - Similar and just as gorgeously gory as the first game. Blood gushingly beautiful.

 

Sounds - Another satisfying yet dismal success with the dismal aiming at some of the dialogue. Jeremy makes me want to just lay down and be devoured.

 

Controls - Easy peezy lemon squeezie. Point, aim, press, SURVIVE!!

 

Story - Don't pay attention. Just KILL, KILL, KILLLLLL!!!

 

Replay Value - Extremely high if you have the buddies to run around with. Highly recommended if you enjoyed ZA1.

 

Overall, it's a fantastic upgrade from the first game with nice throwbacks showing that with evolution, you don't have to let go of the old ideas. Another undead triumph lives again. You know my bias ass 10/10 overall baby!

 

Reviewed by Flibbity Floid