DEAD NATION
- Thread starter HERESY
- Start date
Play or Pass? PLAY.
I need to hit the post office real quick, but I'll update this as soon as I get some free time. But for right now, start off on the HARDEST difficulty to get your feet wet.
OK I'm back.
Heres my rundown so far. I started playing with the female character and I'm on level 4 right now. For the most part, I can say my complaints about the game are minimal but we'll get into that in a bit.
Graphics:
Spot on. It amazes me when a $15 game can rival the technical feats of a game that is in the $60+ range. Last night there was this zombie in the corner doing a thizz dance or something, so I put him out of his misery with a head shot. Now what was crazy about it was the fact that it was enhanced by the flashlight on the gun and I basically saw the shadow of his head bursting and blood spattering on the wall. So the lighting in the game contributes to some of the gameplay elements but we'll get to that in a bit. However, I think the letters in the control config screen are hella small. I was playing like 8 feet away but had to get up close to see it so I didn't like that, but that's nothing.
The graphics in the cutscenes are your basic art pieces, they don't stand out and are there to enhance the story aspect of the game. The city does look like it was taken over by zombies or like some crazy calamity had taken place, so again, the graphics were spot on.
Sound:
Spot on. Again, it amazes me when a $15 game can rival the technical feats of a game that is in the $60+ range. I play all my games through cans (headphones) and the sound in this game is superb. From the way the guns sound (especially the ambiance)
In this game, sound is your advantage and disadvantage. It's a disadvantage because every sound you make attracts the zombies. You bump against those trash cans? Here they come. You go run through bottles and debris? Here they come. You let off stray rounds? Here they come. However, it can be used to your advantage as well (letting off a stray round to see where exactly they could come from, setting off the alarms in cars, etc.)
Story: Zombies have taken over the planet. You are immune to infection. You are trying to survive. That is all.
Gameplay:
Spot on. It's a twin stick shooter, but after really digging into it last night I can see why they went with this setup. You move with the left analog and aim with the right and shoot with one of the shoulder buttons (or any button depending on how you map it.) At first it took time getting used to it but it actually helps contribute to the "oh shit they're on me what do I do?" gameplay. They could have offered an optional play style that allows lock on or something like that, but like I said, how they did the controls contributes to the tension.
There are a lot of zombies in the game. Moreover, there are a lot of different zombies in the game. From the basic weak ones (the red ones) to the screamers (they call for backup so kill them QUICKLY) to the ones that let off stray rounds with their guns, to the zombie police officers, to the zombies jumping off roofs, you have a variety of different zombies. Now the thing is however, is that certain weapons are more suited for certain zombies. Do NOT rely on one specific gun, instead, use a variety of guns and "tossables" (<---probably a made up word but whatever.) By tossables I mean items you can throw like the flare, grenades, mine and motolov. UPGRADE THESE FIRST. They are essential to your survival. And speaking of upgradeing, you upgrade by spending money to beef up your weapons in power, rate of fire, clip size, etc. Your armor is upgraded by finding things in the field and simply selecting which pieces you want (up to 3 at a time.) Right now my girl is more suited for speed and endurance, and I think power is for melee attacks not your guns. And speaking of melees attacks, when you're surrounded, melee the zombies as this will give you some breathing room. Another thing to do is to know when to sprint and when not to sprint. I can't stress this enough.
Now remember the sound I mentioned earlier? Well cars can be blown up, but cars with alarms attract zombies. Also, the machines that contain health packs can attract zombies as well. So what do you do? Do you loot them first and put yourself at risk or do you make them go off and loose the rewards even though it may buy you some time? I have four guns, shotgun, smg,rifle and flame thrower. But my rifle is maxed out. Keep in mind that while it does have a power shot, which is capable of killing multiple zombies at once, holding the button makes you a bit slower so you're at risk.
There are no bosses in this game, at least I haven't encountered any and I wanted to see some little kid zombies or a zombie made out of fetuses or something. I mean seriously, this is a PLANET overtaken by the undead and there are no little kid zombies? I'm not calling for violence against children, I'm just saying there should have been something in the game like those baby necromorphes from Dead Space. Another thing I think should have been in the game are human stragglers/survivors. They should have put some in the game and allowed you to use them as human shields or as a distraction for zombies. I mean if this is about survival, go all out and make the shit sick (think God of War and how many innocents you could kill.)
For you co op/multiplayer cats, it has on and offline co op campaign so you're good to go. It also has leaderboards/stats and I already mentioned the meta game in a previous post. Also, PAY ATTENTION TO THE ANNOUNCEMENTS.
So over all I'd say this game was worth the $15 bucks for me. Along with the new pac man it will keep me going til Dead Space 2 drops next month. If you have the chance to play it with a friend first, do so as there is no demo on PSN. If not, read some reviews, watch some vids and cop it. I know times are hard for a lot of people so I don't suggest copping anything unless it is a deal that can't be passed up so I just say Play or Pass and I give this a PLAY.
EDIT: No spell check was used. I typed it all here and straight from the dome so excuse all errors.
I need to hit the post office real quick, but I'll update this as soon as I get some free time. But for right now, start off on the HARDEST difficulty to get your feet wet.
OK I'm back.
Heres my rundown so far. I started playing with the female character and I'm on level 4 right now. For the most part, I can say my complaints about the game are minimal but we'll get into that in a bit.
Graphics:
Spot on. It amazes me when a $15 game can rival the technical feats of a game that is in the $60+ range. Last night there was this zombie in the corner doing a thizz dance or something, so I put him out of his misery with a head shot. Now what was crazy about it was the fact that it was enhanced by the flashlight on the gun and I basically saw the shadow of his head bursting and blood spattering on the wall. So the lighting in the game contributes to some of the gameplay elements but we'll get to that in a bit. However, I think the letters in the control config screen are hella small. I was playing like 8 feet away but had to get up close to see it so I didn't like that, but that's nothing.
The graphics in the cutscenes are your basic art pieces, they don't stand out and are there to enhance the story aspect of the game. The city does look like it was taken over by zombies or like some crazy calamity had taken place, so again, the graphics were spot on.
Sound:
Spot on. Again, it amazes me when a $15 game can rival the technical feats of a game that is in the $60+ range. I play all my games through cans (headphones) and the sound in this game is superb. From the way the guns sound (especially the ambiance)
In this game, sound is your advantage and disadvantage. It's a disadvantage because every sound you make attracts the zombies. You bump against those trash cans? Here they come. You go run through bottles and debris? Here they come. You let off stray rounds? Here they come. However, it can be used to your advantage as well (letting off a stray round to see where exactly they could come from, setting off the alarms in cars, etc.)
Story: Zombies have taken over the planet. You are immune to infection. You are trying to survive. That is all.
Gameplay:
Spot on. It's a twin stick shooter, but after really digging into it last night I can see why they went with this setup. You move with the left analog and aim with the right and shoot with one of the shoulder buttons (or any button depending on how you map it.) At first it took time getting used to it but it actually helps contribute to the "oh shit they're on me what do I do?" gameplay. They could have offered an optional play style that allows lock on or something like that, but like I said, how they did the controls contributes to the tension.
There are a lot of zombies in the game. Moreover, there are a lot of different zombies in the game. From the basic weak ones (the red ones) to the screamers (they call for backup so kill them QUICKLY) to the ones that let off stray rounds with their guns, to the zombie police officers, to the zombies jumping off roofs, you have a variety of different zombies. Now the thing is however, is that certain weapons are more suited for certain zombies. Do NOT rely on one specific gun, instead, use a variety of guns and "tossables" (<---probably a made up word but whatever.) By tossables I mean items you can throw like the flare, grenades, mine and motolov. UPGRADE THESE FIRST. They are essential to your survival. And speaking of upgradeing, you upgrade by spending money to beef up your weapons in power, rate of fire, clip size, etc. Your armor is upgraded by finding things in the field and simply selecting which pieces you want (up to 3 at a time.) Right now my girl is more suited for speed and endurance, and I think power is for melee attacks not your guns. And speaking of melees attacks, when you're surrounded, melee the zombies as this will give you some breathing room. Another thing to do is to know when to sprint and when not to sprint. I can't stress this enough.
Now remember the sound I mentioned earlier? Well cars can be blown up, but cars with alarms attract zombies. Also, the machines that contain health packs can attract zombies as well. So what do you do? Do you loot them first and put yourself at risk or do you make them go off and loose the rewards even though it may buy you some time? I have four guns, shotgun, smg,rifle and flame thrower. But my rifle is maxed out. Keep in mind that while it does have a power shot, which is capable of killing multiple zombies at once, holding the button makes you a bit slower so you're at risk.
There are no bosses in this game, at least I haven't encountered any and I wanted to see some little kid zombies or a zombie made out of fetuses or something. I mean seriously, this is a PLANET overtaken by the undead and there are no little kid zombies? I'm not calling for violence against children, I'm just saying there should have been something in the game like those baby necromorphes from Dead Space. Another thing I think should have been in the game are human stragglers/survivors. They should have put some in the game and allowed you to use them as human shields or as a distraction for zombies. I mean if this is about survival, go all out and make the shit sick (think God of War and how many innocents you could kill.)
For you co op/multiplayer cats, it has on and offline co op campaign so you're good to go. It also has leaderboards/stats and I already mentioned the meta game in a previous post. Also, PAY ATTENTION TO THE ANNOUNCEMENTS.
So over all I'd say this game was worth the $15 bucks for me. Along with the new pac man it will keep me going til Dead Space 2 drops next month. If you have the chance to play it with a friend first, do so as there is no demo on PSN. If not, read some reviews, watch some vids and cop it. I know times are hard for a lot of people so I don't suggest copping anything unless it is a deal that can't be passed up so I just say Play or Pass and I give this a PLAY.
EDIT: No spell check was used. I typed it all here and straight from the dome so excuse all errors.
i agree the review is thorough ...dead nation is a great game as far as price goes..you get a lot...but i still cant get past the controls with aiming...im not asking for an auto aim but for as fast as some of these things move...jesus christ.....and what the fuck is this blob lookin zombie ( looks like a boomer from left 4 dead )....i do like the idea of having scattered survivors randomly...not necessarily just for body shield purposes but as help to combat some of these hordes and if you save them throughout the mission you get a reward and if they die then they die no rewards...would have been cool...but for the money it is a fun game..very challenging
yup the aiming sucks but the ambiance and overall experience is damn good, definitely the best zombie game on the PSN and one of the better games overall to be released recently. Add in the fact that it supports custom music, and I can create a playlist of songs that specifically mesh with the dark feeling. Makes for a fun time, definitely recommended.
