What would you do if the world as you knew it became infested with zombies? Do you think you could survive, or would you fall victim in order to make the undead grow? Think about how you would live and how things would be very different. It’s a very interesting topic, and the different what-if situations make us think about what we would do if we were faced with that type of situation. But do developers Rebillion and Xtended Realities give us any hope about our outcome? Let’s find out with Zombie Army VR for PlayStation VR2.
Zombie Army VR is an arcade shooter where Zombie Hitler may have been defeated, but the zombie hordes are still at large and Europe remains in the throes of war. Return to the field as part of the Deadhunters, an elite squad fighting to end the zombie apocalypse!
Now, before you go in and shoot any and everything that moves, there are a few things that you should be aware of. First, I am not going to spoil anything for anyone. Second, make sure your Sense controllers are fully charged, as you don’t want to have that shot lined up only for them to freeze because you said to yourself that you would do it later. Third, it’s summertime; have some fans on, as you don’t want to get too hot from playing. Have fun, but play smart. And finally, have some fun. With all that said, let’s continue…
In case you may not be aware, Zombie Army VR is part of the Zombie Army franchise and is set before the events of Zombie Army 4. So in that aspect, if you are one that likes to play games in chronological order, you may want to play the Zombie Army Trilogy just so you don’t miss anything. If you are not one for the story aspect of the previous titles, feel free to carry on and shoot away, and let’s move on.
When you first start, you are introduced to a short film recap about things that have happened. Afterwards, you will need to decide if you want to play sitting down or standing up. Next, you will need to pick your dominant hand. Sure, you could try and go with your non-dominant hand, but things may not turn out the way you want them to. Then you need to decide on the difficulty level. There is easy, normal, and hard. Up next, select your character. You have Karl, Jun, Shola, and Hector. For some reason, you are not able to get back to this screen, but you can select a different character from within the game.
Once you are set, it’s time to start. Once you watch the brief, it’s time to move around and learn how to shoot the weapons by going through a short but important tutorial. I will say that at any time, you can go to the options and change things if you want to try out different ones, such as movement and even the way the weapons load. When you figure out what works best for you, getting that one shot off and seeing how bones can break feels pretty fantastic.
As you continue, you will step into a world steeped in darkness as you traverse the haunting landscapes of Germany, where the mundane meets the macabre. Your adventure will lead you through vast complexes and into uncharted territories accessed through enigmatic portals, each veiling mysteries waiting to be uncovered.
Your primary challenge? Surviving the onslaught of the undead. Initially, you will confront small clusters of mindless ghouls, either shuffling or sprinting toward you with a singular intent: to feast. Expect these skirmishes to escalate swiftly as you encounter more formidable waves. Your path may require moments of patience—waiting for a door’s vigil to lift, filling a sinister blood fountain, or energizing dormant mechanisms to proceed. Each checkpoint brings you closer to the heart of the undead menace.
As you venture forth, brace yourself for encounters with the undead. You will initially face smaller bands of zombies—some meandering aimlessly, others sprinting with terrifying speed. These skirmishes will quickly escalate, requiring you to remain vigilant. Your quest may involve solving cryptic puzzles, such as waiting for an ominous door’s vigil to lift, filling a sinister blood fountain, or activating dormant machinery to forge onward.
Your arsenal will consist of authentic World War II weaponry, amplifying the immersive experience of the era. Each firearm requires manual reloading, adding layers to the tension, especially in the PSVR2 version, which features adaptive triggers and haptic feedback that resonates with every bullet fired and every blow taken. As you navigate the landscape, collect weapons and unlock their capabilities through upgrades across four distinct categories. With each chapter, you’ll earn upgrade points, allowing you to enhance your armaments at crafting tables positioned at your base camp or at the beginning of each chapter.
Melee weapons will also enter the fray, providing an alternative when you find yourself in close quarters with the undead. However, be prepared for the unique challenges they present, as the chaotic nature of combat can sometimes hinder their effectiveness. But through every twist and turn, your journey will be laden with suspense and adrenaline, pushing you to confront the darkness and survive against all odds.
Let’s talk about the graphics and sound. With the graphics, the game skillfully offers a seamless experience that allows you to lose yourself in the chaos. The environments are not just backdrops; they are intricately designed realms filled with a diverse array of zombies and weaponry that keeps the adrenaline pumping. They are diverse and stunning, showcasing both chilling locales and impressive zombie designs that keep the gameplay fresh and engaging. I was particularly impressed by the lighting, which adds a dynamic element to the scenes—certain areas shimmer with a haunting glow, transforming the landscape into a beautifully terrifying playground.
With the sound, the sound design team has done a fantastic job of breathing life into the Zombie Army universe, with a cacophony of environmental effects and a score that intensifies when the undead come crawling out of the shadows. Each zombie variant has its own signature sound, allowing you to distinguish between threats as they close in. The spatial audio is fantastic as well, enabling you to track the movements of zombies as they shuffle closer, while the gunfire echoes with a satisfying punch, and the chilling growls of the undead create an atmosphere thick with tension.
There are a few things that I would love to see. First, the cross-platform co-op was added. This would just allow more players to join in the fun. Second, updating the voices. Despite the overwhelming fantasticness of the audio, there were times when it seemed that the voice acting occasionally lacked the gravitas needed to fully immerse me more in the storyline. These moments were minor blips in an otherwise thrilling adventure. And finally, I hope that the entire Zombie Army franchise receives the VR treatment it deserves.
Zombie Army VR continues the fun and action and is a welcome addition to the Zombie Army franchise. Sometimes we get so caught up in our daily grind that we forget to pause and appreciate what’s right in front of us—even if it comes from the most unexpected sources… yes, even if it’s from a zombie. Because in a world full of chaos, it’s the surprising moments—and unlikely messengers—that remind us to stay present, stay grateful, and maybe even crack a smile before the next horde shows up.
Zombie Army VR is out now for Meta Quest 2, 3, 3s, & Pro on the Meta Store, PlayStation VR2 on the PlayStation Store, and on Steam VR. A review code was provided.
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In case you missed the trailer, please enjoy. Until next time, I have more X-ray shots to try, and hopefully, one of you will join me on this adventure.
