From what has been said on the gameplay and premise, it sounds intuitive and fun, especially the emphasis on visceral hand-to-hand combat. One thing that wasn’t mentioned was the actual interaction between characters, and the element of survival, both of which were focal points in the trailer. Never before have the two come together in perfect tandem, at least not in the current stream of zombie-affiliated video games. Maybe it’s just not practical? Maybe it’s just not what gamer want to play?
Here is a brief list of what’s on the market, and how they have dodged the grips of realism, yet have still flourished into magnificent games.
Though fantastic, the Dead Space games tend to focus on a strictly linear design, with jump-scares sprinkled generously throughout. They’re engaging and action-packed, though the characters are forgettable with no real bond between them, the game is centred on the beliefs of Unitology, the emergence of the Necromorphs, and the various locations in which they inhabit.
Dead Rising
Capcom’s comic zombie caper is probably the biggest winner when it comes to the survival element. With huge open worlds and so much variety in terms of weapon-choice, it has a strange sense of authenticity, though instead of survival, Dead Rising soon turns into a platform for wacky experimentation, with little focus on the severity of a zombie outbreak.
Left 4 Dead
Similar to Dead Rising, Left 4 Dead has a definite comic twist, it’s trump card being fast and frantic team-based gameplay. The characters are like-able, and there is an actual sense of realism too; you will find yourself conserving ammunition, deploy team tactics and even shelter/hide from the infected hordes. However, the experience feels far too gameplay-orientated to leave any emotional impact.
The best example for character development, Resident Evil is the biggest name in the zombie genre. The first three instalments of the series are unforgettable, not only featuring a cast of memorable protagonists but also villains. With that said, it can be argued that the over-arching plot has been somewhat diluted in recent years. Though titles such as Umbrella Chronicles have strengthened the foundations of the series, Resident Evil 4 & 5 have ditched the conventional zombie formula, in favour of other fictional viruses.
Despite all of the criticisms made above, all are great franchises; I just wanted to indicate that not even the industry giants have been successful in creating a game which depicts not only the horrors of a zombie outbreak but the emotional impact on the characters, and a more detailed outline of their survival plans.
In the second part of this article I will attempt to piece together what would be, in my opinion, the most realistic and gripping way of putting together a zombie game, whilst also trying to preserve the fun factor.
mynameisblair
It looks like Leon is taking on a zombie Sackboy in the Resident Evil pic.
hazelam
right, i’m blaming you for all the zombie levels for lbp 2 that are now inevitable. :)
rht992
I think this is why people are so interested in “I am Alive” sure its got nothing to do with zombies but it is about surviving in a tough enviroment realisticly. If it comes along and provides a good experience maybe someone will apply the same rules to a horror game?
hazelam
actually, i think something in the style of one of those disaster games, like sos, where the best you can hope for is to survive, not gunning down hundreds of zombie with conveniently located caches of high powered weaponry, just you, a point you suspect might lead to safety and a lot of zombies in between.
you use the kind of everyday objects you expect to find wherever you are.
actually this is starting to sound like dead island.
DJ Judas
Killing Floor, while not strictly a Zombie game is very serious, and pretty good to boot.
Tuffcub
I’m confused by the term “realistic zombie”.
RudeAwakening
I was also wowed by the dead island trailer but known it was all cgi i was a bit weary if deep silver could bring that emotion and survival to the actual game. Im looking forward to see the outcome of their hard work!
Also i read on some gaming website that the family portrayed in the trailer is a side mission to your actual quest to find a route of the island.
Charmed_Fanatic
One bite – you die, no i dont think it will work
TURRICAN-808
I would like to see you play as a scientist, travelling the globe in a mass effect style looking for clues as to what is the cause and cure of a zombie outbreak. Picking up allies as you go. Perhaps the same scientist could have worked at the lab where the outbreak of military testing went wrong….You could begin with the day today experiments of the scientist lab, then gradually people close to the infectious material slowly start changing. To make people believe in an idea, there must be backstory, allowing the player to live the backstory would certainly help in gamers caring for the character. The point i’m trying to make is that there must be a believable story to have any chance of realism.
Jim H [Teabags]
Knew I would be getting instant flak for the premise of this article :D
Obviously by realistic, I mean in the sense that if there was a zombie outbreak.
The Solid one
i think a realistic zombie game would be interesting. imagine being trapped in a city full of zombie and the only way is to destroy the brain. You can use anything as a weapon and if you get bitten then you will have a limited amount of time left before you turn into a zombie and kill the others. That could be a great game if do rightly. I think Hideo Kojima might be able to pull off a great realistic zombie game. I shall keep my eye on Dead island.damm another game to my growing list of games.