Joystiq hands-on: Zombie Apocalypse
Tucked away in a corner at Konami's recent Gamers Night event was probably the single most entertaining game of the night: Zombie Apocalypse. No one from the publisher was demoing it, no information was provided on it -- we're still waiting for confirmation of its developer -- but everyone was playing it ... until a tripped breaker put the kiosk out of commission.
This four-player co-op game was running on PS3 and, from what the gaggle of assembled journalists could deduce, appeared to be a downloadable title. That was finally confirmed this morning; it's coming to PSN and XBLA
What made this simple game so fun -- apart from the fact that its simplicity made it instantly fun -- were the arenas (for lack of a better term) themselves. We played in two: a downtown disaster zone and a junkyard. Both had multiple interactive elements (a downed airliner's jet engine, a car compactor) that we were able to toss zombie bait towards, luring dozens of the undead to their (very grizzly) comeuppance. Working together with three other players to almost "herd" the zombies into these traps was almost as fun as routing them with chainsaws (every character has one as standard equipment).
Konami hasn't announced who's developing Zombie Apocalypse, but we're trying to confirm rumors Nihilistic Software (Conan, Marvel Nemesis) is behind it. We definitely want to know more about the game, and we'll be sure to share whatever we find out with you.














Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
fischju @ Apr 13th 2009 3:13PM
That looks amazing. Comon, $20 PC port!
ps360owner @ Apr 13th 2009 3:16PM
looks like burn zombie burn to me but thats a good thing because that game is awesome.
iFester @ Apr 13th 2009 3:29PM
I really like Burn Zombie Burn. It's only missing online multiplayer to make it great. If Zombie Apocalypse can deliver that for PSN and XBLA then more power to the players.
Shit, I better not get sued by GameStop for that last sentence.
Kodros @ Apr 13th 2009 4:20PM
I really wish BZB had the firing mapped to the right analog though.
Ben Forbes @ Apr 13th 2009 5:41PM
Are you guys kidding? I hated BZB, it's way, WAY too complex for its own good, and it gets so old, so quickly. I wanted a game where I could go around killing zombies but instead I was rewarded for NOT killing them with higher multipliers. It's a shame, I liked the iso, and the art style.
brickwalker0 @ Apr 13th 2009 3:19PM
looks pretty cool, rather similar to Left 4 Dead, especially the character designs...
theyre even the same races/genders.
what im mostly curious about is if this is going to be a real Co-op game (as in, working together and interacting with one another) or just a single-player game that just so happens to allow 3 other people to join you.
brickwalker0 @ Apr 13th 2009 3:20PM
after further inspection, i take that back. i think i see a black Army-General-Guy as player 4.
Pdriver @ Apr 13th 2009 3:26PM
Yay, Left 4 Dead Light! I will get this when it comes out.
Erluti @ Apr 13th 2009 3:28PM
Me and my 3 roommates will probably play this game to (un)death!
the arrr @ Apr 13th 2009 4:00PM
When you guys find out who this terrible PR company is, can you *please* post their name?
I'd love to know who *not* to go to when I need to promote something.
iFester @ Apr 13th 2009 3:32PM
I saw a pregnant zombie in one of the pics. Shades of Brain Dead/Dead Alive. :D
Vidikron @ Apr 13th 2009 3:39PM
I suppose the comparisons to L4D are obvious, but given the viewpoint and graphics it reminds me more of "Hunter: The Reckoning".
adolson @ Apr 13th 2009 3:45PM
Online co-op, please.. Please! It looks like a blast, either way.
Brian @ Apr 13th 2009 3:53PM
http://www.gamespot.com/video/6207790/konami-gamers-night-2009-zombie-apocalypse-game-demo?hd=1
EckhartD @ Apr 13th 2009 5:02PM
I'm impressed...looks alot better than 'Burn Zombie Burn' as soon as I heard online mulitplayer I was sold....Lack of it kept me from getting BZB....now if it gets it down the line...I might pick it up...but I doubt it.
Erluti @ Apr 13th 2009 4:13PM
The chainsaw looked like auto-win in that video. LIke if all 4 players stood back to back with a chainsaw, you could just walk away from your controllers and come back to a "you win" screen.
brickwalker0 @ Apr 13th 2009 4:16PM
great link, thanks.
definitely similar to Burn Zombie Burn, but with better graphics and 4 players. im curious if the replay value will be there though. it looks pretty basic.
gm914 @ Apr 13th 2009 4:04PM
The developer is Nihilistic. There will be 55 levels over 7 interactive levels. It is a twin stick shooter. Weapons include machine guns, grenades, shotguns, chainsaws, flamethrowers and fluffy talking teddy bears filled with C4 that you throw to distract zombies, then BLAST! Scheduled to be released Sept 09 on XBLA and PSN.Where is this info in the article? This info is all around the net. Has been for a couple weeks. The author did a terrible job researching this game...
gm914 @ Apr 13th 2009 4:06PM
Online and offline co-op too.
required @ Apr 13th 2009 4:14PM
I thought Burn Zombie Burn was Zombie Apocalypse.
j.howlett @ Apr 13th 2009 4:23PM
this reminds me alot of 'loaded'. it was one of my first full ps1 games.
satchmo @ Apr 13th 2009 4:30PM
sweet. now lets get some zombies ate my neighbors going!
whazam1337 @ Apr 13th 2009 8:06PM
atleast that would have some story not just a single level after lvl that you can walk in a circle and just kill wave after wave. This game sucks just like burn zombie burn but it has multiplayer online. Konami is shit
whazam1337 @ Apr 14th 2009 2:12PM
Looks alright for ten bucks (anything higher im not buying it). It also better have some ONline Co-op AND the option to INVITE or search for your friends. All that and you got my money konami.
P.S. DDR FOR PS3 PLEASE 360 if u want too idc just CMON already! u guys failed with rock revolution and silent hill so get to work and stop trying to make metal gear more like a fps and roll out the fun games.
Bouillestfu @ Apr 13th 2009 5:58PM
Left 4 Dead arcade? KK thx!
Erik @ Apr 13th 2009 7:49PM
Is it just me or does Player 3 in the screenshot look a little familiar?
As in Gordon Freeman.
Hans @ Apr 13th 2009 9:02PM
Grizzly is 'grayish in color'. Grisly is 'shockingly repellent'.
TendoMan @ Apr 13th 2009 10:23PM
Reminds me of Hunter: The Reckoning
Alex @ Apr 14th 2009 4:00AM
Im making Zombie Apocalypse on moddb
do you think I have the rights to the name?
or do you think im just gonna get stomped on by konami
JoeTheBlow @ Apr 14th 2009 4:56PM
You'd get stomped so hard by the time you got back up your clothes would be out of fashion.
Just take it as free advertising for your mod.
CJLopez @ Apr 14th 2009 1:28PM
Smash TV with zombies
Mmmm, tempting
Hooterman @ Apr 15th 2009 3:23PM
How are you the first one to referrence Smash TV? As I was scrolling down to look for all the STV comments I was getting scared that I was the only one to think of it.
Bravo to you, and I can't wait for this to come out.
CJLopez @ Apr 15th 2009 3:42PM
thats because we are old gamers. thats why
Tom @ May 5th 2009 4:37PM
I just hope local (offline) co-op is handled on one screen as opposed to a nasty split. Capcom's recent Bionic Commando Rearmed handles the story mode co-op perfectly, keeping to one screen while the players are within a distance that can be handled by a zooming camera and then splitting once the players fall out of the generously sized single screen gaming area.
Developers of the world, please bring an end to the broken mindedness that is split screen 3rd person co-op!!!