Review by: Brian Rowe

Gratuitous mutilation of undead denizens is always a tantalizing prospect, especially when spiked with the guttural roar of a chainsaw. It is guiltless revenge and justice imparted upon the scum of humanity, like that lady who insists on writing checks at the express checkout. Blend zombies with the top-down stylings of Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved and you should have a shoot-em-up of perfectly horrific proportions. At least one of those adverbs is correct.

Four survivors must stave off the hordes of undead shamblers in seven claustrophobic arenas strewn across a gauntlet of 55 days. During the first week, you’re running on adrenaline and feeling good. By the end of the second week, the futile monotony of bringing second-death to a civilization sinks in. Before the month is over, you’re weary, beaten, and wishing for a swift end.

Zombie Apocalypse tries to enliven its repeating arenas with a trickling stream of new zombie-types and, at least initially, it succeeds. Pukers, who regurgitate a strangely sticky substance, knife-throwing Grannies, explosive Kamikazes, and the inescapable clutches of Big Boys are a few of the foes tyou’ll encounter. There is morbid satisfaction in popping the belly of a pregnant prom queen, but the appeal wears thinner and thinner with every lap of circle-strafing around the arena. The formula becomes rapidly apparent – one type of zombie approaches, then a second, the entire cast swarms, and the cycle repeats the next day.

The premise is not much different from that of Geometry Wars, but the famed fluorescent shooter reveled in quick bursts of excitement and a thumping soundtrack that pulled with passionate vitality. Zombie Apocalypse drags on, building, halting, and building again to the tune of an ethereal, mulling score that sinks beneath the carnage. The sequel, Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved 2, lured players back with numerous, unique modes of play. Zombie Apocalypse has modes like Turbo, Chainsaw Only, and 7 Days of Hell, which are nothing more than harder and faster versions of the same gameplay.

The ability to choose your own weaponry between days would be greatly welcome. Most people in the multiplayer arenas agree that bazookas and grenade launchers, while explosively gruesome, are too slow to be considered upgrades. Picking up Molotovs is practically punishment, but in some levels, it’s either that or the standard assault rifle. At least you always have the chainsaw strapped to your back.