Overview:
You are (apparently) the only survivor of a downed helicopter. Swarmed by zombies, you need to run, and kill a few zombies who get in your way.
Gameplay:
PikPok’s INTO THE DEAD is another in a seemingly long line of apps designed to capitalize on the recent fixation on all things Zombie. Hell, type ZOMBIE into the search function of either the iTunes store or the Android marketplace, and just marvel at all the choices you get. Some are good. Some are bad. Most are really bad. Luckily, INTO THE DEAD falls into the mostly “good†area.
(The review is for the iPad. I don’t know if the gameplay changes at all for a droid phone or the iPhone.)
The game itself is pretty straightforward and simple. After surviving a helicopter crash, you take off running, trying to avoid the oncoming hordes of zombies. Try to run as far as you can. You can also pick up weapons as you run, but those are limited and don’t last very long. The longer you run, the more zombies you have to deal with. There is also the occasional fence or tree limb that can cause you to stumble. Tilt the iPad to turn left or right and try not to get eaten. It’s pretty straightforward.
Visuals:
This is where the game stands out. It’s atmospheric (the whole thing takes place at night) and the zombies are nicely rendered as shadowy figures until you get right on top of them. You run through open fields, corn fields, and woods. If the zombies grab you, you are thrown to the ground, and their blank eyes and snarling faces is the last thing you see. It’s also surprisingly non-violent (except for that last part). Nicely done.
Audio:
Not much to discuss here. You can hear your character breathing hard as you run, and you can hear the zombies moan and growl as you pass them. When you die, you also briefly hear the screams and sounds of ripping flesh. Adequate and functional.
Review:
The last time I looked, INTO THE DEAD was a free download on iTunes, which automatically makes it an app worth a look. It’s a fun time-waster, though it does tend to get old after awhile. As far as zombie-related apps go, it’s definitely better than most.
