Zombie Revenge

 Dreamcast
  • Publisher: Sega
  • Release Date: Jan 25, 2000
Metascore
60

Mixed or average reviews - based on 22 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 22
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 22
  3. Negative: 5 out of 22
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  1. AllDreamcast
    86
    With graphics and gameplay that are equally good, non-stop action and tight controls, load time between levels that's almost non-existent, and a really cool horror-movie theme, beat-em' up games just don't get any better than this.
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  2. Game Fan
    83
    The best representation of the home beat-'em-up genre since "Streets of Rage 2" and "Guardian Heroes"--but it still doesn't match up to those great games.
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  3. CheckOut
    80
    Although it's not nearly as scary as the "Resident Evil" series, it should give you a few starts and make you say "That's gross!" a lot.
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  5. CNET Gamecenter
    80
    An excellent home translation of an arcade hit, but could use a bit more tweaking to truly shine.
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  6. Happy Puppy
    80
    Each level is dissected by terrifically cheesy HOD-style cinema screens that supposedly advance the plot, but in reality make you scratch your head and go, "Wha'? Well, it looks good...."
  7. Gaming Maxx
    78
    "Zombie Revenge" does deliver a true beat'em up game with an excellent visual presentation and enough to make it worth a look.
  8. Antagonist
    73
    If you want a little more meat to your games, or hate games that purposefully kill you off right when you're getting to the good part, then maybe you'd better skip this one.
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  9. Da Gameboyz
    70
    Although the playability of this title can still be questioned Sega is to be commended for attempting to add extras to lengthen the time a gamer plays this title.
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  10. GamerWeb Sega
    70
    ZR isn't really that great an investment if you're looking for a real game that takes weeks to conquer, but, if you're looking for plain and simple arcade thrills with a few sweet twists, you're bound to like the territory.
  11. GamePro
    70
    But the frustrations of the game, including its limited replay value and annoying sound and controls, keep this game from being a "must-own" for all action addicts.
  12. Dreamcast.net
    65
    A game this simple should have air-tight control right? Well, you would think so. "Zombie Revenge" suffers from SEVERAL control problems that seem to take the fun right out of the game.
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  13. Dreamcast HQ
    60
    I really really wish Sega would say they were working something with some deeper gameplay. (subliminal message beginning) "Streets......of......Rage."
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  14. IGN
    59
    Not only does it make the game much harder than it should be (again, remnants of the arcade roots of the game), but it defies all logical thought, and that is really inexcusable.
  15. Game Revolution
    58
    I wish Sega had taken more time with "Zombie Revenge;" removed the loading times, made some graphical improvements, hired actual voice actors, and added another mission or two.
  16. Gaming Age
    58
    Gamers that grew up on frustratingly tough arcade games such as this, will most likely feel at home with the intense level of difficulty.
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  17. GameSpot
    57
    The shopping list of things that don't work right is long and comprehensive.
  18. Planet Dreamcast
    55
    ZR will just drive you nuts. Satisfaction, it seems, goes to the quick, not the dead.
  19. Hot Games
    40
    Getting surrounded by zombies and not having any way to defend yourself thanks to not being able to activate the special moves isn't really a pleasant way to spend your time, and turns this game into a tedious chore.
  20. DC Swirl
    30
    I'd still rather play "Dynamite Cop" with its humor and imagination. "ZR" was game I had high hopes for but in the end falls way too flat.
  21. Daily Radar
    25
    Two-player mode, as well as some nice VMU games, and even a rather uninspired 3D "fighting" game option make Revenge a great rental, but there's just not enough meat (living or otherwise) to warrant shelling out $40 at ye local videogame store.
    All this publication's reviews
  22. Games Radar
    25
    If the "Streets of Rage" / "Dynamite Cop" genre of game is your thing, you'll love it, but if not, it'll simply leave you cold.
  23. Core Magazine
    25
    The inspired concept is wasted by it's dull and monotonous gameplay, resulting in a disappointing game. While the graphics are great and the game is fun, the replay value is nearly nil.

Awards & Rankings

64
#64 Best Dreamcast Game of 2000
42
#42 Most Discussed Dreamcast Game of 2000
37
#37 Most Shared Dreamcast Game of 2000

User Reviews

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User Score
8.2

Generally favorable reviews- based on 9 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 9
  3. Negative: 0 out of 9
  1. Ramiro1992
    Jun 4, 2020
    7
    This game is a well done mixture, put some Dynamite cop, add a bowl of House of the Dead, and a couple of spoons of Resident Evil, and youThis game is a well done mixture, put some Dynamite cop, add a bowl of House of the Dead, and a couple of spoons of Resident Evil, and you have a nearly perfect recipe for a horror themed beat em up. I said nearly because it's not perfect at all, but still works. The difficulty is too much on the hard side, and to really enjoy it, players will have to set the difficulty on easy or very easy, throwing away the hardcore factor. Of course it won't be an accomplishment as finishing it on Normal or higher, but the enjoyment will be higher. From start you are attacked by zombies (some of them wield a shotgun or a machine gun) and believe me, they will resist more bullets than you, even on easy. Getting shot is one of the most annoying things of the game, cause you will loose about half of your entire health bar, and if you get hit by a zombie scratch or biten, you will take less damage but you will be infected with a virus and you will need to pick an antidote ASAP. Bullets are plenty but the handgun is very slow and makes very low damage.

    The atmosphere is top notch and I absolutely like the House of the Dead feeling in this game, you can quickly notice how much they have in common, even the voice acting is almost as mediocre than HOTD. I said that it has only a little bit of Resident Evil, cause this game is not actually a survival horror, and there are no puzzles to be found, it's just a beat em up with a HOTD strong feeling. The variety of weapons and action are very resembling of Dynamite Deka 1 & 2. The music has also some HOTD feeling. The controls are weird to say the least, and pretty bad to say the worst. I would say they are weird and not comfortable. Thankfully you can customize them, but still, there are too many functions for a beat em up. There is a button to roll, other to punch, a different one to shoot, and the worst one by far is the one that it's used to block & run. Why the expletive they would set the block & run functions to the same button! The problem is that when you try to run, the character will sometimes stop and block, leaving you vulnerable to getting shot or spitted. So it's pretty hard to not get shot most of the time. There are only 15 credits and I said only because there is only 1 life per continue, and you can quickly loose a life in just a couple of shots or an explosion. Despite this little flaws, the game manages to captivate the player with some amazing and eerie level design.

    To conclude this review, I must say that this game is very hard, to the point it gets annoying and frustrating, but you will surely get some enjoyment out of this rarity and if you like horror games you cannot miss this one out. This never came out in other console and the arcade machine is even more rare than the console version. This game was kind of forgotten in the shadows but it's surely a hidden "gem" and an oddity, a good one to say the truth. Very recommended, even if you have never played a HOTD game, this one is very funny.

    7/10    … Full Review »
  2. XISMZERO
    Jul 13, 2003
    7
    Good quick fun from time to time and the voice acting is so absymal - that's worth laughing at alone.
  3. OlliP.
    Mar 2, 2002
    10
    Great game.
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