Review: Zombie Tycoon (PSP Mini’s).

 

For the last few years Zombies have been looking to become video gaming’s biggest fad; firmly taking the ‘done to death‘ mantle from WWII and appearing in just about every genre of game imaginable. In fairness to the undead horde though, we have been blessed with some great games featuring their brain eating antics, such as Left 4 Dead, Dead Rising and Plants Vs Zombies.

Just released by Frima Studio on PSN as part of the new Mini’s range, Zombie Tycoon is a resource management RTS where the player takes control of the undead army and attempts to destroy the human race. The game takes place over 10 city levels and there are around 100 items which can be used to customize the Zombies in your 3 squads.

Graphically (and taking into account the games £3.99 price point) the game is quite good, with the cities portrayed respectably enough in isometric 3D. The player can move around the landscape using the PSP’s analogue nub or use the shoulder buttons to flick between the zombie squads. Commands for each squad are issued via the circle, triangle or square button depending on the squad or you can issue the same command to all squads using the X button.

The control mechanics are simple and well thought out given the game style and hardware its running on, but unfortunately the same cannot be said for the rest of the game.

The characters from the story are instantly forgettable (except perhaps Dr Brainhov but only because he looks like a copy of Gargamel from The Smurfs) and the level design is woefully uninspiring. The gameplay is simple in the extreme; make zombies —> equip zombies —> smash something/someone —> repeat. Perhaps the games biggest initial challenge though is actually making it through the first couple of tutorial levels without falling asleep from boredom.

Zombie Tycoon may appear to be cheap at a little under £4 but appearances can be deceptive. The premise of the game is certainly interesting enough and this could of made for a great little game. It is therfore unfortunate that in reality this is a game which you will probably play once and then kick yourself for sometime afterwards for actually for buying in the first place. £4 is a lot of money when its £4 wasted.

The low price point and interesting premise will no doubt attract many purchasers; but I guarantee every one will feel let down. If the developers really want to make this sort of game, here’s a simple bit of help. Take a dash of the mechanics of Advance Wars, cross it with some Plants Vs Zombies humour and some Left 4 Dead style and you’re onto a winner.

: : : : : : : : : : :