Plants Vs. Zombies Free 'til Nov. 10th!

Todd Jepperson

The ADA and PopCap Games have teamed up to STOP ZOMBIE MOUTH this Halloween. From now, 'til November 10th, you can follow this link and grab your free copy of the winner of over 30 game of the year awards, Plants Vs. Zombies!

 There's no limit to how many copies you install, so grab every computer you can get your hands on and share the gift of braaaaaaiiiins.

Skylander Giants Review

David Brown

For those of us whom are zombie fans, the Activision company name is one that is synonymous with the decimation of the hoardes of the undead.  They have built a name from the Call of Duty franchise and further broadened their horizons with the Zombies subgame that many of us have played and loved. They are now bringing us a game that younger generations can enjoy while we mow through the undead mencae.

Last year Activision released Skylanders Spyro's Adventure for the Wii, Xbox 360 and Playstation 3 to cater to younder audiences. It was a big hit because of its great gameplay and the interchangeable characters that could be purchased to expand your game.  This month they have released Skylanders Giants, a game which they are anticipating to be a hot seller this holiday season.

In Skylanders Giants, players assume the role of the portal master as they utilize their skylanders in order to battle the evil Portal Master Kaos and his many minions. This time around Activision has added 16 new characters, new LightCore technology and new worlds to explore.  This begs the question, is it fun to play?

The game is compatible with last year's game, but if you haven't played before, you will need to pick up a starter kit, which features a portal (a shown above), the game and three characters.  The portal is your method of transporting characters into the game world.  It is interesting to see it glow with "power" as it is plugged in to your gaming system.  When you begin the game you are instructed to pick one of your Skylanders and place them on the portal. Upon doing so, they are scanned into the game world and you are ready to play. 

 

The figures themselves all hold the information about their in-game progress. This is intriguing as you can level your characters up and take them to another place where the game is and all of your character information will be accessible, this includes leveling information as well as gold supply.  These figures are a fun form of collectible that is not only fun to look at but useful in game as well.  The figures are detailed and you can tell care was put into their design.  But this means nothing if the gameplay is not up to par.

 

 

The controls in Skylanders Giants are simplified to accomidate younger players. The face buttons are responsible for the various attacks and the control stick moves your character around.  This is not a game of platforming prowess, but more-so one of strategy and proper character utilization.  In each level, you have objectives, not only for level completion, but for item collection and overall efficiency.  There are certain areas that can only be accessed by certain Skylanders, so this can cause some problems if you don't have certain characters.  There are eight different character types and unfortunately in the starter pack you only get three, so there will be areas of the game world that you cannot access.

 

Skylanders is a game not only of action, but of good puzzle solving skills.  There are a number of areas where you must unlock doors that are locked with puzzles or create paths to get through the level and these offer a good challenge while not turning away any specific player groups.  The atmosphere is kid friendly as their are many bright shiney color and the dialogue, while sometimes repetitive, is enjoyable by younger audiences.  I found myself having a lot of fun with this game despite it being for younger audiences. 

 

If you have children and want a game that isn't overly violent for them, get this game.  It will give them something fun to play while you are erradicating zombies in Call of Duty.  Skylanders is available now from Activision on the Xbox 360, Wii, 3DS and Playstation 3. It will also be available for the Wii U system in the future. It may not have zombies (although it does have an undead class), but it is still a fun diversion for kids and adults alike.



Dishonored Review

David Brown



Bethesda has always been a company that knows how to deliever an epic storyline that gives players the freedom to choose how they complete a mission.  In Dishonored you are a royal protector who is framed for murder and kidnapping.  It is your mission to get revenge on those that wronged you and try to find the princess who was kidnapped. 

If you are unfamiliar with Bethesda, you can see our review of Fallout 3: Vegas here to see just how grandiose their games can be.  From the minute you start Dishonored you are engrossed in the storyline.  This game is played from a first person perspective that helps to draw you in. You get a steampunk style victorian setting where guards are not your only worry.

This game is one of choice, you can choose to take enemies out head on in battles where that will see you blocking, parrying, and attacking with various weapons and magic.  The enemies in this game can quickly outnumber you if you aren't careful and combat can you tense.  If you don't feel like fighting Dishonored also allows you to utilize stealth to complete your objectives.  I was able to get through the first section of the game by only killing one enemy.

The controls in this game are very similar to many first person shooters, but I have to say that I haven't seen such tight controls in a long time.  The controls make it easy to drop down from a vantage point silently and sneak up behind your enemies. From here  you can pickpocket them, kill them or render them unconscious. 

The question arises from here, why even care about killing or just knocking out guards.  The answer comes in the form of rats.  The rats in Dishonored carry the plague virus and when in large enough numbers can devour flesh off a human being with rapid pace.  The more that you kill in this game the more rats that will begin to populate the world.  You will also see the world grow darker in order to reflect your actions. Know this brings us to the question of why we would review this game on a zombie-related site?

The answer comes in the form of plague victims.  As I stated there are many plague rats that fill the streets infecting unlucky citizens.  These plague victims become very disoriented and will attack with viciousness.  They want to hurt you.  The more you kill, the more the plague will overtake the city and the more enemies that you will come across.  The plague throws out shades of a virus and the rapidity that it spreads throughout a populous once a proper catalyst is in place.

As for the rest of Dishonored I will say that the soundtrack is amazing and that the dialogue is spot on in many situations that I have come across.  The general atmosphere is dark in the streets and luminous in the target areas. You will see the dire environment around you and want nothing more than to make things right. 

In regards to length all I will say is that this is a Bethesda game.  With that I mean that you will not be completing this in a few settings.  You can easily put many hours into this game as it keeps the action at a reasonable pace.  This game may not have zombies in the typcial sense, but the plague victims that litter the streets make this a game where you must avoid the infected in order to make your mission a bit easier.  We see moral choice upfront in this game and that creates the immersive environment that makes this game an instant hit. The game is currently available for Windows PC, Xbox 360 and Playstation 3.  Go out and pick this one up and get revenge on those that 'Dishonered; you. 

Ray Villafane does it again !

Matt Boiselle

       A short time ago we here at Zombies & Toys brought you a story about master pumpkin carver Ray Villafane and his insane work that he had finished on 2 of the world's largest pumpkins. Well no offense to his prior work but his latest design has blown the doors off of his previous gourd slaughtering !

    With work commencing a week ago at Grand Central Station and now on display at New York's Botanical Gardens in the Bronx, this 6 ft tall zombie, complete with his insides on the outside, will be up for all gawkers to gaze on until October 31st. Formerly a massive 1,872 lb pumpkin, the transformation by Villafane and his team of master sculptors simply must be seen to be believed, and the amount of detail from the lead zombie, to the pumpkin vines towing more denizens of the dead from their earthly confines to the surface, can't be complimented enough by words alone - so check out the pics and prepare to be amazed.

     
     Feel free to click the top pic for a direct link to the story, or hit this one for a killer video of the carving - www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uyc27gei1BU&feature=youtu.be

Serious Sam 3 Review

David Brown

 

 

I love zombies, if I didn't I would be writing for this great site.  I have come to expect a lot of games nowadays that do justice to zombies and nothing else.  I do however like to coast into the world of shooters from time to time as I love the action that they bring, and what better game to do that then one that has enemies that are as mindless and unforgiving as zombies.

 

As the picture above shows, that game is Serious Sam 3:BFE for the Xbox 360 and Playstation Network.  Action fans, FPS fans and PC gamers have known of the Serious Sam franchise for a while and this iteration does the series justice. The synopsis for the game is simple:

 

Serious Sam 3: BFE is a glorious throwback to the golden age of first-person shooters where men were men, cover was for amateurs, and pulling the trigger made things go boom. Brutally fast-paced action, massive shootouts, and thrilling cooperative play make for the most explosive Serious Sam game ever! Contains the full single-player and cooperative campaign modes.

 

This is a game that will keep you on your toes and hone your senses for the upcoming zombie apocalypse.  Many of your actions will trigger hoardes of enemies to descend on you.  I use hoard lightly as you will be encountering minitaurs, headless gunners and even kamikaze enemies with bombs for hands.  The action is fast paced and you will have to stay focused if you want to survive.

 

 

The controls in Serious Sam 3:BFE are very tight and I never found lag at all.  I was able to switch weapons quickly and easily in battle and only died because of my slow reflexes and not from terrible controls. 

 

The sound is pretty good with enough explosions and wails to have you on edge for a majority of the game.  The weapons in this game are varied and each handles differently so you can always have something that works for your particular situation.

 

My only complaint about the game is that it takes a while to load. In a game where you will die often it is not fun to have to wait 10-15 seconds to reload.  This minor complaint aside this is a fun game.

 

There may not be zombies, but there are plenty of ghouls and demons to keep you busy for hours. If you don't want to think of this as a game, simply think of it as a zombie reflex training program.  I really like this game and recommend it to anyone who wants a fast paced game with lots of blood and explosions.  Pick up your copy today.



Army Men and Mini Busts THE WALKING DEAD Style

Todd Jepperson

After a knockout season three premier, it seems like everybody is getting excited about THE WALKING DEAD. Bob Kirkman's former comic book brainchild has taken on all new life and now everyone can bring home a piece of the action.

Just announced and coming soon from ten-year industry colossus Gentle Giant LTD. are their all-new THE WALKING DEAD collectibles, including Rick Grimes and "Well Walker" mini busts and an all new set of decaying, putrified undead army men.

Imagine waking up one day and discovering that you’d missed the Apocalypse. That’s what happened to Rick Grimes. Once a Sherriff’s Deputy, he fell into a coma after being wounded in the line of duty. Upon waking up, he finds his town in ruins, his family missing and the dead walking the earth. Determined to survive, Rick must adapt to the new world around him. Difficult challenges face him and his band of refugees as they struggle against impossible odds for their lives… and their humanity.

From the screen to your shelf, Gentle Giant is proud to bring you the Sheriff Grimes Mini Bust. Based on the hit AMC television series, this bust boasts an exact likeness of actor Andrew Lincoln in his sheriff’s uniform as he appears in the show’s pilot episode. The Grimes mini bust comes pistol drawn, ready to take down criminals and walkers alike. This special Gentle Giant Direct version includes a bonus accessory – Rick’s Sheriff Hat! These limited-edition hand-numbered busts include matching certificates of authenticity and can, in a pinch, be used to defend against an attacking Walker.

In the episode “Cherokee Rose,” survivors Dale and T-Dog find a walker at the bottom of Hershel’s well. In an attempt to salvage the water supply, they first try to lure, then drag, the walker out of it. Unfortunately, their attempts are unsuccessful, as the rotting, bloated corpse is bisected by the rope the survivors are using to hoist it out, spilling its tainted entrails and ruining the well.

The only safe way to bring a zombie home with you, this mini bust depicts the Well Walker in all of his undead, bloated glory! Cast in high quality polystone and painted by hand, this limited edition collectable mini bust is hand numbered and comes with a matching certificate of authenticity. Perfect for any horror fan! Just keep this one away from the water supply.

The Walking Dead is an American post-apocalyptic drama television series developed for television by Frank Darabont. It is based on the comic book series The Walking Dead by Robert Kirkman, Tony Moore, and Charlie Adlard.

It’s a trip down memory lane… but with zombies! No longer constrained to the traditional green vs. tan, now kids and kids-at-heart alike can have their armies take on The Walking Dead! Use your green troops strategically to defend the last outposts of humanity, or take control of a horde of Walkers and decimate everything in your path in your never-ending lust to devour the living! With 10 figures per bag, featuring an assortment of different dynamic sculpts in two nightmarish colors, The Walking Dead Zombie Army Men are ready to rip, tear and chew their way into your toy collection. Purchase as many sets as you like!

Thanks to Examiner.com for the heads up. Watch for all of these sweet babies to hit your favorite retailers, including The Zombie Toy Store, in early 2013. 

Zombie Driver HD Plows Onto Xbox Live Today

David Brown

Are you a fan of games where you can drive fast and spread destruction? Are you a fan of games where you can kill zombies with a number of different weapons?   Do you love frantic action? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then I have a new game for you.  Zombie Driver HD is a newly released game from Exor Studios that puts you in the role of driver during the zombie apocalypse.  The army is quickly being overrun and the zombie hoards are starting to take over the streets. It is up to you to utilize the various vehicles and weapons at your disposal to decimate the zombie menace as best as you can.

 

To say that the zombies in Zombie Driver HD are plentiful is an understatement at best. From the minute you leave the safety of the military base you will encounter hundreds of the shambling dead.  They will come at you fast and hard and come in a number of different varieties.  You can choose to stay on the roads or you can drive through many fences, yard and abandoned parks.  

Along the way you will find a number of weapons to help up the ante from the machine gun, to flame throwers and even a decimating rail gun.  There are so many ways that you can dispatch the dead and so many vehicles to use.  You will find taxis, tanks, and even limousines along the way that will help you in your mission, and more vehicles are unlocked through side missions and the various modes.

 

The game looks great and everything seems very crisp. A minor complaint is that the text in many of the menus seems a little small, even on my HD television, but this doesn't detract from the in game action.  I will say that starting out I was a little taken back by the controls.  There was a bit of getting used to the driving and maneuvering, but after about a half hour I got the hang of the controls.  The vehicles control very tight and each handles differently, so you do have a variety to complement your driving styles.  Like the speed of the vehicles, the game moves very quickly.

The good news is that there are numerous other modes besides the main story mode that will keep you busy for a while.  Every mission has side objectives that range from clearing out a certain area to beating a level with a certain amount of time or percentage of health left.  Exor studios has put a lot of work into this game and it shows throughout.

If you would like to try your hand at Zombie Driver HD, you can find it today on Xbox Live Arcade for 800 points, on PC for $9.99, on Android OS for $6.99 and coming soon to Playstation Network.  Drive on out and pick up this game today, and stay tuned for details concerning a special Zombie Driver HD giveaway later this week.

Ghastly Crud Zombies

Phillip Hynes

Take the work of Edward Gorey. Throw it in a blender with the films of George Romero. Pour the mangled, bloody contents into a toddler’s juice box. What have you got? The Ghastlycrud Zombies!

The latest work from the diseased mind of mad artist Martin Whitmore, this post-apocalyptic alphabet book will teach you the ABC's of surviving (and not surviving, in spectacularly gory fashion) in a cartoony zombie holocaust. The Ghastlycrud Zombies is a twisted children's book unfit for any kid... but your sick and twisted inner child is gonna love it! 

If you'd love to get your hands on a copy of this twisted book, you can visit the Kickstarter page to learn all about the book, its author & artist, and the rewards available for backing the project - including copies of the book customized by the artist, and hand-painted one-of-a-kind Zombie Head Art Grenades!

...and while you're there, make sure to check out the video. Don't worry if you don't speak Zombese - it's been subtitled!

Videogame Nightmarathon 2012

Todd Jepperson

Here’s something new. A couple of our friends are putting on a charity event, Oct. 26^th – 29^th, for the American Cancer Society and we’re lucky enough to be a part of it. Okay, maybe that part isn't so new, but stay with me. What they’re doing is streaming an interactive videogame marathon on-line where you can drop in and play along, or just give them company as they suffer through nearly two-dozen new and classic games until their eyes and fingers bleed. Obviously, the whole point is to raise funds and awareness of cancer, so it’d be nice if visitors could chip in a dollar or two along the way. There will be give-a-ways and random prizes from companies like Valve, Arenanet, World-8, Anothercastlegames.com, and you guessed it ZOMBIES&Toys! We’re donating several Z&T grab bags and various other prizes to be given away leading up to and during the event.

I’ll also be popping in on STEAM to play through at least part of the first installment of Left4Dead with them sometime during that weekend, so check the Schedule often to find out when. We’d love it if you stopped in to say “hi.”

They’re also putting on a Fan Art Contest where members of the Nightmarathon team will be selecting their favorite submissions to win prizes like these...

Check them out on Facebook by following this link, and also on Twitter here. Do everyone a favor and head over to the homepage at Videogame Nightmarathon 2012 and click on that ‘donate’ button both now and during the event. You won’t actually be handing Nightmarathon any cash, instead you’ll be redirected to the American Cancer Society’s “Relay For Life” donation page where you can enter in any amount you want and send the donation directly to them on behalf of team Nightmarathon. The American Cancer Society is a 501 (c)(3) tax exempt organization, so you’ll get a nifty write-off for any donations you make, too! That’s right. There’s no middle man taking a cut of the proceeds here, just direct, honest, feel-good charity in action.

Check out the Contests page to see all of the prizes you could win by supporting Videogame Nightmarathon 2012. Similar events have raised over $100,000, so let’s make this thing HUGE and show the world what a real zombie horde can do when united for good!

Call Of Duty Black Ops II Lurches Closer

David Brown

With the release date of Call of Duty Black Ops II a little over a month away, the buzz is growing not only for the game itself, but for the improved Zombies mode that is being added on this year.  Treyarch and Activision are promising many changes that will create a different play and feel for the Zombies mode.  Stay tuned to Zombies&Toys, as we will continue to cover this game right up through release, and scroll down to enjoy two of the screen shots from the Zombies mode.

Zombie Driver HD Coming Soon (Updated Info)

David Brown

What do you get when you mix zombies, cars and violence? You get Zombie Drivers HD the game from Developer EXOR Studios.  The game is scheduled to be released next week and the developer has given this short synopsis:

"Insane mix of cars, speed, explosions, blood and zombies! Fight through an epic narrative campaign or test yourself in the Slaughter and Blood Race modes. Engage huge bosses, save survivors, drive crazy vehicles such as a bulldozer, fire truck or even a tank and smash everything in your way. Take part in the Blood Race tournament - chase other cars and take them down without mercy on brutal racing tracks. Jump into the Slaughter mode and survive as long as possible on specially crafted arenas."

A trailer for Zombie Driver HD was released on XBox Live today and the countdown to the release of the game has begun. If this game comes even a bit close to the media that has already been released, then we should have a hit on our hands.  

Update (10/11/2012) the trailer has now been released on YouTube and if you would like to see it you may do so by clicking below:

 

Check back next week for our extensive review and analysis of how well zombies and cars go together.

 

The Walking Dead: Series 3 figures - First Look !

Matt Boiselle

     As the popularity of AMC's the Walking Dead continues to soar to the stratosphere, the names on the waiting list continue to grow for the 2nd series of figures in McFarlane's toy line. Now, the 2nd series hasn't even been released yet, but that didn't stop these latest images from hitting the web, and creating a WHOLE NEW list of pre-orders to be filled.

    With the upcoming New York City Comic-Con (Oct 11-14th) looking to feed heavily into the premiere of Season 3, these figures will be on display for fans to drool at. There is a possibility that these designs may change before their official release date of March 2013, but that won't stop the hardcore fans from clamoring to get their mitts on them. The line follows as this : above - Merle Dixon - everyone's favorite one-handed psycho hillbilly, complete w/ assault rifle, pistol, knife and prosthetic arm w/ removable bayonet.

 The Walking Dead's newest heroine - Michonne - fitted w/ her signature katana and sheath & a removable poncho.

                                     
      Michonne's pet zombies #1 & #2 - these little beauties both come fitted with chain dog collars, backpacks (#1 has a shotgun in his bag), and their once-attached upper limbs & bottom jaws (sickening, but definitely cool !)

   Rounding out the 3rd series we have the zombie that had a very crude (and impromptu) autopsy performed on him by Daryl Dixon, in a fruitless search for long-lost barn stowaway Sophia. In one of the neatest features on any figure in a long time, this guy has a removable shirt with an open stomach cavity where you can see if he has either digested a woodchuck or a human hand !

    So hopefully the Series 2 figures will be unleashed very soon to tide the fans over, but all this will do will be the equivalent of dangling fresh flesh in the faces of a bunch of hungry walkers - pre-orders are available from different stores, so bust out those little plastic credit cards of yours, and prepare to wait......but I'm feeling that this wait will be well worth it !!

Don't Just Say Yeah, Say HELL YEAH

David Brown

As a zombie fan, I get excited whenever I see a game title with the words "dead" or "undead" in it.  So when I saw this offering from Developer Arkedo Studio and published by Sega, I have to say that I was intrigued. The name alone gives the sense of a high energy game from the start.  For those of you who missed the preview posted a week ago, here is the synopsis for HELL YEAH!:

You are a devil rabbit named Ash, who also happens to be the prince of Hell and feared by all. But one individual has forgotten that. Your archenemy, Fat Rabbit, has posted your secret sex pictures all over the Hellternet and that makes you seriously angry. This sucks! You want him to burn in Hell, and with your hot temper you can make revenge oh so sweet. It's you and your trusty driller (plus some other weapons and customization!) against everyone else. Drill your way to vengeance and explore the huge and varied world of Hell Yeah! Delving into the darkest depths of the underworld, you can ride the driller as a slaughter machine and exterminate those rude and ugly monsters by blasting and tearing them apart on your mission to get Fat Rabbit. Don't feel bad; they all deserve to die! It's you against Hell, after all. It's Hell Yeah!

In my mind, while the protagonist Ash refrains from eating flesh of the living, he is still a zombie because he is undead. So with that out of the way, lets actually get to the game and see how it holds up to this odd back-story.

The first thing that you will notice about HELL YEAH! is that it is a very bright and colorful game. The graphics are crisp and with all the time I have put into it I have yet to find a graphical blemish or any collision detection issues.  Every level from the underwater mazes to the cartoon world where you kill with rainbows has a unique look and feel to it.

The sound in this game is top notch.  I noticed that the music changes depending on the location you are at and honestly I am glad it is. There have been too many games that leave you with one set soundtrack. 

As far as the controls in this game go, I can safely say that I haven't had a game control this tightly in a long time.  You move with the left stick, you can hold the A button to hover and you aim your weapons with the right stick.  The right shoulder button is dual use here as the button to control your drill and fire your weapons.  Even when you are surrounded by enemies you will be able to keep calm with easy weapon changes and unlimited ammo.

Now the big question, is it fun? I think I can safely answer this with a HELL YEAH! The game moves at such a brisk pace that you never grow bored. I also found it very hard to get lost in a level due to the radar at the bottom of the screen.  There are a lot of enemies to kill in very differing ways.  When you do enough damage you get to play a short mini-game to defeat the boss for good. In one instance I was pumping iron and the next I was trying to steal honey from a bee-hive.  There is a lot of oddity in this game, but it makes for a very fun experience.

This game is rated T but I must caution that it does earn it's rating.  There is quite a bit of suggestive humor throughout the game and some language here and there. Overall though this is just one minor complaint with an overall amazing game.  If you like your action fast and your undead rabbits faster, ,then go out and pick up this game today on XBOX Live or Playstation Network.

Necessary Evil? Will Capcom’s latest survival horror entry survive?

Chad Hunter

Developer: Capcom

Publisher: Capcom

Platform: PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Microsoft Windows

Release date: October 2, 2012

Intro

Nearly twenty years ago, Capcom took us by the hand, led us into a scary mansion and never let us go.  Since then, the Resident Evil franchise has spawned games, movies, books and more.  But since its inception, horror fans have felt that the series has lost its terror (and zombies.)  With a new game and new directions, is Resident Evil 6 worth the buy or has the undead series finally died?

Story

RE6 picks up where the series left off – Umbrella is gone (sort of) and our heroes have moved on into high ranking positions to protect the world from viral monsters (e.g. zombies.)  Leon Kennedy from RE2 and RE4 fame, is a government agent set to expose Umbrella to the world at the behest of his friend, the President.  However, a virus breaks out and the dead rise.  The next mission features Chris Redfield, down and out but serving as a soldier in a foreign country.  Redfield leads a battalion in battle with mutated mercenaries.  Finally, Jake Mueller is also abroad dealing with a combination of the two previous missions’ enemies.  Mueller himself must contend with the bioweapons while being something more than human himself.  

Graphics

Visually, RE6 is a good looking game.  Specifically focusing on Kennedy’s mission (the most zombie filled and horror-like), the city falls apart in flame and clawing, rotted flesh.  The zombie models are very distinct and unique allowing for realistic feel.  Cars swerve out of nowhere, blood spatters and rain looks like your very screen is wet.

Sounds

Any Resident Evil fan is used to B-movie dialogue.  RE6 is not as bad in the wording department as its predecessors.  The other aspect of sound is well done.  Moaning of the shuffling undead echo in the background.  Footsteps resound against cement and the hoarse hiss of corpses sounds right in your ear.  The true survival horror level, the first one, moves fast but when you can catch a breath – you feel the fear and you hear it.

Controls

Leon, Chris and Jake all move well.  The stilted controls of previous games have been replaced by the more fluid motions from RE4 and 5.  You will find yourself running into walls and stumbling around.  The controls are not perfect by any means.  But they are not terrible enough to detract from the game.  

There are three gripes about Resident Evil 6 – One: The whole game should be survival horror against the monsters and undead rather than just one of its episodes.  Two: The lack of a true pause screen is a pain in the ass and finally – Three: the save points are annoyingly far from where you could potentially die, causing you to restart much farther than you had hoped.

Zombie Factor / Conclusion

Your standard zombies are everywhere, especially during Leon’s campaign.  Redfield and Jake will see their own variation on the shambling creatures but Kennedy’s is the best and most effective feel of walking dead.  The first episode feels like a true zombie horror film complete with doomed survivors, apocalyptic decisions and hell on earth with carnivorous cadavers abound.  Resident Evil 6 is ambitious and while it may slip up here and there, it is worth the trip.  Let the undead rain, we have an Umbrella.

Review: Blood of the Zombies by Ian Livingstone

Phillip Hynes


You may already be aware of the Fighting Fantasy “choose your own adventure” series of  books, they’ve been releasing books for over thirty years now and I can honestly say I’ve been a fan of the series for all of that time.

To date they’ve predominately been set in a medieval fantasy world, however Ian Jackson has decided to take the format in a new direction and has published Blood of the Zombies through Wizard Books. Set in a contemporary world, you the reader find yourself imprisoned in Goraya Castle by the megalomaniac Gingrich Yurr. Initially you must escape your bonds and the castle dungeon, the story then develops at a fast pace as you explore the Zombie infested corridors and uncover Yurr’s evil intentions and ultimately seek to stop his plans. Essentially a roleplaying game in book format, it does capture the imagination and I found myself deliberating over which way to go and what to open or not, with some unexpected surprises along the way. The combat system is simple and quick, although you can just ignore the combat by always taking the “if you win the combat” selection. The artwork throughout the book is excellent and It helps to bring Castle Goraya and her minions to life, if your familiar with the fighting fantasy books you’ll feel right at home with the familiar style of the artwork.
The story is captivating enough to entertain and keeps the reader wanting more; however it is a game rather than a novel and might disappoint the mature reader, who wants a story with complex character relationships and emotion.  I’d also say it is aimed at teenagers and young adults, but I’m in my forties and enjoyed the book, just read it with the expectation that you would when playing a computer game. I’d recommend it as a stocking filler Christmas present for any Zombie fan and will certainly keep them happy for many hours.

In short Blood of the Zombies is a welcome addition to the Zombie world and I do recommend it to fans of the undead….just remember to keep count of the zombies you kill, you’ll need to know at the end of the book.

I also had the opportunity to ask the legendary Ian Livingstone some questions, and just in case you didn’t know he is also one of the original creators of the Games Workshop franchise, as well as a celebrated author.

ZT: The previous Fighting Fantasy books are predominately set in a fantasy world and have a varied assortment of monsters and villains to choose from, did setting a book in a modern day zombie apocalypse present any problems when it comes to variety of encounters?

Livingstone:No, not at all. It was intentional to make most of the adversaries zombies in Blood of the Zombies. Hundreds of them! Hopefully that’s part of the appeal.

ZT: Have you always been a zombie fan and what influences - either from film or books inspired Blood of the Zombies?

Livingstone: Everybody loves zombies, me included! And like a lot of people in my industry, I was inspired by zombie films, books and video games.

ZT: Can we expect further Zombie themed Fighting Fantasy books?

Livingstone:There is always that possibility if Fighting Fantasy fans ask for it. I really enjoyed writing Blood of the Zombies.

ZT: Have you considered your own personal zombie outbreak survival plan and do elements of this plan make it into Blood of the Zombies?

Livingstone:I’m training to run as fast as Usain Bolt whilst carrying a Browning machine gun!

ZT: Deathtrap Dungeon was made into a video game, can we expect to see any further collaborations with between Fighting Fantasy and the video games industry?

Livingstone: I would be delighted if Blood of the Zombies was made into a beautifully animated video game for consoles. In the short term people will be able to play Blood of the Zombies on their iPhone, iPad or Android device when the smart phone version comes out late September from Tin Man Games. But cheating will be challenging!

ZT: I've been a huge fan of Fighting Fantasy books since reading The Warlock of Firetop Mountain around thirty years ago and I've recently introduced my Son to the books. Was the move away from the fantasy based adventures to Horror / zombies inspired by the current fashion for zombies or do you have a personal interest in the subject?

Livingstone: I’ve always wanted to write a Fighting Fantasy book with zombies as the main adversaries. Most of my books were set in a medieval fantasy world and when I started writing Blood of the Zombies I set it in the world of Allansia as usual. But having worked in video games for the past twenty years, it seemed only right to set it in modern times. But I couldn’t bring myself to go the whole way, so I set the adventure inside a medieval castle but gave the reader access to essential zombie-stoppers such as shotguns, grenades and machine guns.

A big, festering Thank You to Ian Livingstone and Icon books for this great opportunity. Pick up your own copy of Blood of the Zombies in the UK at your favorite retailer, or for those of us on this side of the pond, there's always Amazon.