Survival Horror games are boring. They replace the usual hack-n-slash fun that should normally be inflicted upon the undead and place it with patience and slow building fear. Believe it or not though, there are actually games with horrible undead fiends and chainsaw-wielding massacres (chainsaws in the hands of the players). And let us all remember that zombie killin’ fun is what Halloween is really all about. That, and love…the love for candy.
So if you’re one of ‘em trigger happy types of any generation or creed of gamer there’s a zombie killfest for you!
The Modern Hardcore:
For all of you “hardcore” gamers I can only suggest two games. (Hope you have an Xbox or PC because there’s no alternative for zombie blastin’ fun like) - Left 4 Dead. You and three buddies in absolute isolation (aside from…three…buddies), ripping through zombie hordes. Intense, atmospheric, but with enough firepower and friendship you’ll blow your way through your undead attackers and survive to fight another level. Alternatively, the solo player might get some holiday use out of Dead Rising. It’s an aging and imperfect game, but the shear number of zombies you can kill with all sorts of hilarious weapons more than makes up for a few flaws.
Caught up in the Last Gen:
If anyone still holds tight to their last gen system then there’s at least one game they should seek out for some true Halloween horror. And that’s Stubbs the Zombie in Rebel without a Pulse. Change sides during this apocalyptic zombie invasion to the rotten green team. You, as Stubbs, and your unholy army of the night will be able to tear up the town (and ride sheep!) while the delicious humans flee in terror. There aren’t many games that have you fight for the antagonist’s side, and once you play through the story you’ll probably still feel justified for destroying a city’s worth of innocent morons – so maybe the zombies are sometimes right.
Old School:
Few zombie games from the past have been as charming as Zombies Ate My Neighbors. You and a friend can run around using spirtguns, soda pop, and bazookas to put a whole in the zombie ranks, while protecting the neighborhood folks. Zombies play the role of cannon fodder in this game, and the challenge really comes from imitation Chucky dolls, chainsaw wielding maniacs (before it was cool), and giant babies. Everything fun, campy, comedic, and deadly that you could expect from a zombie shoot ‘em up. You can’t beat the classic.
Casual Gamer:
If you like the pretty, the cute, the happy, and the undead then here’s a game for you: Plants vs. Zombies. A tower defense game that came out just this year and is an essential for any zombie lawn care enthusiasts garden. It’s very rare to see happy little flowers slaughtering the brain-eating dead, but somehow this game got made, but we’re lucky enough to have the casual game kings, PopCap, provide the treats for this Halloween party.
Indie Gamer:
I MAED A GAM3 W1TH ZOMBIES 1N IT!!!1. I’m only typing that once. This Xbox Live Indie Game provides simple and furious zombie slaughtering fun, and a brilliant soundtrack to boot. At an insanely low price ($1) it’s a deal that you’d have to be dead to pass up.
