Well, it has been a long time since I've reviewed a video game. Unfortunately, I often don't have a lot of time to dedicate to video game with college classes and work getting in the way, despite the fact the video games are my favorite form of entertainment. In what other medium are you allowed to become a part of the horror story? Reading often will draw the audience in more so than film does depending on the reader, but even there we can't make the decisions and take decisive action that is granted in video games. Only in video games do we get to play the surviving hero, the pursued victim, and even occasionally the stalking evil itself. Video games are a great medium for learning, teaching, and--of course--entertainment. They can also often be time consuming, depending on the game itself, not allowing those with limited time to truly indulge in this amazing form of entertainment. Thus, we have the app!
Phone and tablet apps are a constantly booming market, especially in video games. Often times they put forth a legitimate stumbling block for traditional hand held gaming market. I personally still own a Nintendo DS and have had every generation of Gameboy prior. I have also played with the PlayStation Portable for a short time as well. However, I don't ever dedicate as much time to these systems as I do to the apps on my tablet. The reason? Apps are short, sweet, and to the point. I can jump in while I'm waiting in line, while I'm waiting for class to start, or when I just need a quick break. And with the advancement of technology and graphics we are blessed with more high resolution games that are enjoyable in a short amount of time.
So, today's review is about an amazing and enjoyable little app title: Into the Dead.
Phone and tablet apps are a constantly booming market, especially in video games. Often times they put forth a legitimate stumbling block for traditional hand held gaming market. I personally still own a Nintendo DS and have had every generation of Gameboy prior. I have also played with the PlayStation Portable for a short time as well. However, I don't ever dedicate as much time to these systems as I do to the apps on my tablet. The reason? Apps are short, sweet, and to the point. I can jump in while I'm waiting in line, while I'm waiting for class to start, or when I just need a quick break. And with the advancement of technology and graphics we are blessed with more high resolution games that are enjoyable in a short amount of time.
So, today's review is about an amazing and enjoyable little app title: Into the Dead.
The premise of Into the Dead is simple, perhaps even trite. It is the height of the zombie apocalypse and your chopper has crashed just outside the city limits. Now you will be forced to make your way on foot, running through fields and forest, to get to safety. Unfortunately there is several hundred zombies in between here and there. They may be slow and mindless but if they collect in too large of numbers you will end up being their bloody dinner. Luckily you can find weapons with limited ammo to help you along your way.
So, there isn't much in the lines of story, (It's an app for crying out loud, what did you expect?) but the gameplay is fun, quick, and addictive. Basically you can use tilt or tap controls. I prefer the tilt controls myself. Your person runs forward and you simply steer where they go. You weave in out of zombies and dodging trees and bodies. Along the way you will see flares lighting up drop boxes. If you run into these drop boxes you pick up a random weapon. Then by tapping the screen you can shoot zombies who get in your path. Eventually one of the zombies always seems to manage to grab you while running past (or you just run right into them) and the game is over. You are rewarded with gold coins at the end of every run that you can spend on perks to help you get farther. Also, completing level achievements opens more and more weapons making it more fun to play.
So, there isn't much in the lines of story, (It's an app for crying out loud, what did you expect?) but the gameplay is fun, quick, and addictive. Basically you can use tilt or tap controls. I prefer the tilt controls myself. Your person runs forward and you simply steer where they go. You weave in out of zombies and dodging trees and bodies. Along the way you will see flares lighting up drop boxes. If you run into these drop boxes you pick up a random weapon. Then by tapping the screen you can shoot zombies who get in your path. Eventually one of the zombies always seems to manage to grab you while running past (or you just run right into them) and the game is over. You are rewarded with gold coins at the end of every run that you can spend on perks to help you get farther. Also, completing level achievements opens more and more weapons making it more fun to play.
The first thing I can say about this game is that the graphics are amazing. Compared to other mobile apps on the market this game just looks gorgeous. Just seeing it makes me wish we had more first person shooters for mobile. Secondly, the simplicity of the gameplay makes the game all the more enjoyable. Sometimes if an app gets too muddled or complicated then it defeats the purpose of being able just to pullout my phone or tablet and play. A don't get me wrong, I love Grand Theft Auto mobile edition, but Into the Dead is just better in a time crunch. Lastly, the game is FREE! In a world of pricey and expensive video games this is a steal! (Unless you have a windows system like me, then it is $1.99. But still a great deal for a great game.)
The only down side is that it is, in fact, an app. It doesn't give the fulfilling experience that a fully fleshed out video game world does. There is no character or story to draw in a player. And it is the same level over and over. This is just to be expected being a mobile app.
The only down side is that it is, in fact, an app. It doesn't give the fulfilling experience that a fully fleshed out video game world does. There is no character or story to draw in a player. And it is the same level over and over. This is just to be expected being a mobile app.
Summing it Up
This little game is awesome as far as mobile apps go. It has good graphics, simple yet fun gameplay, and it is free. For gaming on the go or in a crunch (or for those of us who just don't have time for other games) Into the Dead is a good choice.
Deaths: N/A
Language: 0
Gore Factor: 3
Sex Factor: 0
Scare Factor: 3
Fun Factor: 4
Overall Rating: 4
Deaths: N/A
Language: 0
Gore Factor: 3
Sex Factor: 0
Scare Factor: 3
Fun Factor: 4
Overall Rating: 4
To learn more about my rating system click here.