Yes, the irony is thick today. Not only are zombies themselves a bit of a “redux” considering that they are recycled corpses, but I’m writing about zombies. Again.
I’m a changed man. I no longer see zombies as completely devoid of value. I’m not yet embracing the shambling undead, but this little gem of a game has given me pause for how they can be used in interesting narratives.
Yes, it’s a Flash game; yes, it’s effectively a “lite” JRPG; yes, the main character is apparently an amnesiac zombie. I haven’t played all that far into the game yet, but I’ve got to give it major brownie points for being something more than just another zombie gorefest. I’m actually… curious about a zombie, rather than just being disgusted with it.
I’m still not playing Left4Dead (mostly because I can’t, but even if I could, survival horror still doesn’t work for me), but my stance on zombies as a whole isn’t what it used to be. Maybe it’s because Sonny hits a sweet spot for my Final Fantasy-addled brain, maybe it’s because the zombie amnesiac is closer in concept to the historic Vodou Zombies, maybe it’s just because I’m a sucker for a well-designed free game. Whatever the case, I recommend Sonny to those who might enjoy seeing through the eyes of a zombie who isn’t interested in slasher flick tropes. Is it a perfect game? Nope, but it’s a fair sight better than some of the full price RPGs we’ve seen over the years.
L4D is Survival Horror? When did this happen?
Oh and *hacks Tesh’s WordPress and sets the RSS to full text* 😀
😀 Yes, I’m writing without my customary “read more” tags today. I’m saving my longwindedness for the Wizard101 post I’m writing.
Well, “survival horror” in concept, if not in genre. That’s been my complaint in the first place, the content and concept, not so much the game mechanics. You could probably wrap L4D mechanics in a “moogles vs. lemmings” suit and I’d be more inclined to give it a shot.
You sound like a fine candidate for the movie “Fido”. It mixes some humor in, and gives the Zombie a bit of it’s memory also.
You just GOTTA watch it. Awesome.
As to “Survival Horror”, well…pshaw…no taste (lol).
Luckily the newer HS titles are getting some RPG mixed in which has not been there before, and Deadspace is a perfect example of a well done RPG lite HS game that works for the Western Audience.
I can’t play L4D myself, as the FPS mode just ruins it. I really wish I could enjoy it more. I need a more slower methodical method of gameplay.
Maybe some day.
I think the zombies in L4D throw everyone off and make them think it’s Survival Horror. It isn’t. It’s a coop shooter. During the design stage they wanted the sudden swarms and it turned out it made more sense and evoked more panicked emotions from players by using zombies. But it’s an FPS through and through.
Great fun though, it’s not your COD or CS style shooter where everyone’s out for themselves and their score.
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,484326,00.html
Well, I did have fun with Doom multiplayer, back in high school. It sounds like they did a lot of good things in L4D, and most people I’ve read experiences from enjoyed it.
Wiqd, that’s just awesome. If I saw that driving to work, I’d be chuckling in the back of my mind all day. Thanks!
Tesh is long known in the “Anti-Zombie” lobby. I think that is anti-American! Anti-HUMAN even!
ok. I am calm now.
L4D is still a great pick it up 1 hour blast of fun. There is enough mixup, tactic and skill level required that it isn’t boring (even on the same maps for the 100th time), and word on the dead streets is that new maps are upcoming from Valve.
Even if you don’t FPS, there is an easy level. And it is easy. Plus, if you play solo the other survivors will keep you alive.
I still have a ways to go in ‘Sonny’, but as a zombie appreciando, I’m sure I will plug away at it (instead of doing this pesky work).
On side notes, Fallout 3 had “zombies” in them. They even had their own town. They could talk, give “quests”, eat, love, lie – heck, even die. They weren’t real zombies but just skin-deformed humans that happened to look like them. Zombies with personalities and intelligence are definitely an interesting swap from the norm.
@Openedge: Fido was funny ./agreed
I clearly admit, I like zombies, and zombie games. Even the old stupid kind. There is something, definitely, zen about it.
Tesh, have you read Stephen King’s “Cell”?
King did Zombies a little differently than what we’ve come to expect.
Nope. I’ve only read a few pages of King… “It”, I think, and found it to be somewhat inconsistent with what I want out of books. I might just have to scrounge up a Cliff’s Notes version somewhere for interest’s sake, though. Thanks!
Honestly, I’d say if you don’t FPS you may actually have a more enjoyable time in L4D, simply because your poor aiming or what have you *can* (depending what type of player you are — if you’re the “I wasn’t perfect immediately therefore the game sucks” and throw the controller at the wall type, this won’t apply) amplify the whole panicky reactions that Valve was aiming for (pun intended). That’s part of the reason I chose to get the 360 version, even though aiming is very very easy there too, but when it gets crazy and I start swinging the controller around wildly it adds to the fun.
Damn … I beat the zombie game >< I got Left 4 Dead last night for the PC and it’s really fun, but it keeps freezing / crashing on me so I don’t know how much full end up getting out of it.
I’ve run into an interesting zombie character in Final Fantasy Tactics A2. She’s downright polite, and not quite convinced that she’s undead. Hers is not a major storyline, but her little narrative has some tragic potential.
That sort of existential meandering is far more interesting to me than the Romero zombie lineage.
[…] in. Here’s a flash game with simple 2D graphics that I’m finding compelling. (Thanks to Tesh for bringing it to my attention, btw.) Last night I spent a good deal of time playing Mount & […]
Huh. It turns out that polite zombie in FFTA2 is just on the edge of undeath, and with some interesting questing and drama, she is restored to her mortal life, and joins our happy little band of adventurers. It’s possibly the most interesting bit of writing in the game (I’ve only seen 200 of the 400 quests, though). It’s more interesting than the main storyline in a few ways. It definitely explores the ramifications of magic, envy and ambition more than the main quests. It’s nice to find gems like that now and then.