Zombi

Graphically speaking, Zombi is dated, but the gist of the game is modern. Zombi gives you that urgency to survive and it deserves the name survival horror more than the recent Resident Evil games. The system of being a new character every time you get killed is amazing, but it is unfortunate that the combat is not always that much fun.

It's all highly unsettling, and the most important things about the game -- its mood of fumbling desperation, its clapped-out London settings, its focus on exhaustion and disempowerment -- remain startlingly unchanged after the transition in platform and the stripping of the Wii U's clever propwork.

Zombi has transitioned to the PS4 rather well: the fear-inducing aspects of the second screen are re-created well enough to achieve similar scares, the loading times are greatly improved, and – three years later – it's still a unique survival title that never compromises its horror for action.

Hopefully somewhere inside Ubisoft there's a team working on a proper sequel to Zombi(U), but for now this is a reasonably priced port that is definitely recommended to anyone who doesn't own a Wii U. Given the lack of meaningful changes for the better, the original game still delivers the best experience, even if the new-gen game looks and performs marginally better.

A few extra bells and whistles would have been appreciated, and the lack of any form of multiplayer beyond leaderboard participation is a definite misstep. Your horror itch might be better scratched by the likes of Outlast and The Evil Within, but Zombi still delivers a solid, immersive experience even without the GamePad wizardry.

Zombi is a game that might seem too ponderous and frustrating for many. But for those who appreciate a challenging atmosphere that tasks you with marshalling your fears and taking a studious approach to survival, it’s a definite must-try.

Zombi loses a little of its charm in its transition from Wii U to other systems, but not enough to detract from it being a great survival horror game. ZombiU has managed what few games in its genre have; it's a real survival horror, with the emphasis on survival - and it's both tense and terrifying.

We don´t miss the use of Wii U gamepad in this Zombi U version for PS4, Xbox One and PC. It mixes survival and horror elements with perfect balance, although graphical elements (details and design) seem outdated.

A rather basic port instead of a revised version of an underrated gem it needed to be, Zombi still manages to hold up well three years on thanks to the way it makes great use of its location, subject matter and atmosphere to create an unnerving modern survival horror.

Ubisoft has done a good job with Zombi. Keeping in mind that it is actually a three-year-old game, the game offers a good experience that any living dead fan will enjoy.

The porting of ZombiU on other platforms is decent, and the new control system is well implemented; the game is still good, with its great atmosphere and a nice mix of survival elements. The graphics, though, are almost identical to the original, and that's not a compliment.

So compelling are the first seven or so hours that the filthy tricks of the finale can't even sour them. [Issue#166, p.96]

On a technical level, sadly, Zombi disappoints. That said, Zombi is saved by an evocative world and a few innovative features that make it feel newer. [December 2015, p71]

Below-par visuals and production obscure, but don't fully diminish, vibrant design and fresh ideas. [Nov 2015, p.99]

Challenging gameplay and a moody atmosphere make for an intriguing experience, though clunky controls and disappointing graphics keep it from reaching the heights its concept deserves.

Zombi manages to set itself apart, with its deliberate pacing, desolate atmosphere, and focus on survival. It might not be a Crown Jewel, but this undead romp through London is an interesting change of pace.

Zombi is still a sweet game, which surely gives you a hell of a scary time. This version misses a few features like the multplayer mode and Ubisoft didn't really brush it up graphically. Still Zombi is a game worth playing.

Quotation forthcoming.

Zombi is still a pretty good survival horror game, but Ubisoft hasn't worked too hard on this version. If you cannot play it on Wii U, and you like horror games, it's a game you should try.

One of the best survival horrors of recent years, that functions almost as well as the Wii U version. creating a mature-rated adventure that is as ruthlessly difficult as it is engrossing.

The idea of a zombie-apocalypse “Metroidvania” set in what used to be a modern city is an excellent hook for a game, but Zombi is too busy showing off Wii-U features that aren’t there anymore to fulfill that premise.

Zombi is a nice game. Not extraordinary, not exceptional, but it entertains. We have missed the Wii U Game Pad.

This port can't really hit the same high notes of the original on WiiU, and from a technical standpoint it's definitely not the best around. At least the price tag is low.

Far from Wii U and its GamePad, Zombi losses its most obvious original appeal.

Losing the online integration hurts, and because of this the Wii U version is the superior one by a significant margin, despite looking inferior.

Zombi’s unique take on survival horror isn’t enough to compensate for an otherwise bland experience.

The Dead Island series provides for more challenge, a better story, and a whole lot more content at around the same price. So unless you’re bored with other zombie games, you can wait for a sale.