We tried Zombie Army 4, the new installment of the popular zombie game where fun is the main thing and, above all, play cooperatively.
It is still paradoxical that many of the great sagas of current video games have emerged as a branch of a main product. There is the most striking case perhaps of all: Counter Strike, which was born as a simple Half Life mod and quickly became popular.
There are dozens of similar products, but today we have to talk about one that is climbing positions on its own merits: Zombie Army 4. The first of these deliveries was launched as an add-on for Sniper Elite V2, an additional content included for the player will take even more advantage of the unique mechanics of this franchise. However, the production was so well received that Rebellion went to work to launch, for the first time, an independent game with this modality. This is how the collection of Zombie Army Trilogy came to the market and now, of course, Zombie Army 4.
A turn of nuts
Zombie Army has always stood out for being a kind of Sniper Elite mod, but with Nazi zombies swarming the map. If we comment on this, it is for a simple reason: shortly after Sniper Elite has ever been played, the Zombie Army control is very familiar – if not almost identical. This is something that from the studio itself they know quite well, so in Zombie Army 4 they have bet on it again, but with a little twist.
The control of the main character in Zombie Army 4 is faster, lighter and more dynamic. We do not refer to the sensitivity when handling the editable character in the options – it would fail more -, but to the fluidity between animations. The movement is more organic and with faster transitions, something that in Sniper Elite is different when pause and parsimony prevail more (because of stealth, shoot with silencers and do everything that does not make noise).
Adapting the Sniper Elite V4 system and putting a little bit of freshness is perfect, especially considering that the title requires this speed. There are dozens of zombies on the screen, each more diverse, and the player needs and must move quickly. From here, enter the following point: play with people or not.
In the demo we could try in London we had the opportunity to enjoy one level of the campaign and another in the horde mode. All this was done accompanied by other members of the press in a team composed of a total of four players. Zombie Army 4 is more enjoyable if played cooperatively, and that is a reality that they have not denied since the study. Yes, it can be played in solitaire mode, but with three other people it is really appealing.
Of course, the approach does not differ much from other titles of similar gender. In the campaign we will have to meet certain objectives, although the really funny thing is to kill as many zombies as possible. In horde mode, on the other hand, the key is to support the different waves that appear on the screen using the weapons, gadgets and tricks we have within our reach.
Beyond this, two points to consider. The first one has to do with weapons. There are dozens of different models to choose from, from rifles to rifles through guns, shotguns and a long etcetera with several types within each category. Each of them can be customized, which offers an even wider range of how the title is played. For example, in the demo we took a shotgun to which we equipped lasers with each shot launched. The greater the variety of attacks, the more chances of killing the zombies.
And the second has to do with skills. The game borders on the seriousness with the humorous tone of the films and series of class B. Knowing it, it takes advantage of it and takes advantage of it: our characters have special, limited attacks, etc. Everyone, like weapons, can be customized, with a perfect farming curve to raise those skills that are most interesting according to our way of playing.
As a note to note, we really liked the technical section. Ok, yes, nothing new and very similar to what is seen in Sniper Elite 4, but the whole demo we play at 60 frames per second. In addition, there were no jerks or slowdowns, even when many zombies appeared on the screen or suddenly there was a fireworks compendium worth freezing – and blushing – more than one current game.
All this, and much more, is Zombie Army 4. A game that knows well that it will not reinvent anything, but that it does not need to experiment with exclusive playable mechanics because it is going to be done: it seeks that the player has fun and enjoys shooting, with the most jovial, flat and accessible activity possible. And sometimes, even if it's hard to believe, it's just what it takes to have a pleasant time.
