So I picked up Zombie Vikings for PS4 during the most recent sale as I am a real sucker for good side scrolling beat em ups. The game itself is made by Swedish developer Zoink Games and sports some really fantastic artwork that caught my eye (it actually received my vote for PS+ in lieu of the winner BroForce). I went in expecting a very short and shallow experience and was incredibly impressed with what turned out to be a full featured coop brawler with varied unique playable characters (including some that are homages to Psychonauts), weapon upgrades, ability modifiers and some genuinely gut busting humor. The artwork and humor in the game actually reminds me a lot of the old nickelodeon show "Ahhh Real Monsters!" It just has a lot of character and I have had an absolute blast playing through it with friends. It also supports both local and online coop and both work really well. Here are some screenshots and gameplay videos for the game for those curious:
Here are some gameplay videos. Here is a short video of coop gameplay
Heres a coop impressions video in German.
These are all early game so as not spoil later areas/bosses but rest assured there is variety in locale/art later on in the game and also keep in mind some of these videos are single player videos. CoOp is where this game really shines.
Now despite being a fantastic game for the most part there have been a few things I've taken issue with thus far. The first being that the game is incredibly easy for the first 5 or so levels to the point where there is little challenge at all. Things ramp up a bit as you progress but as of where I currently am its never felt like a significant challenge apart from two of the boss fights. Another issue I had with the game is the throwing mechanic. The way throwing is integrated in the gameplay makes it an essential tool for the player to use but the actual mechanics and controls behind it feel unpredictable and imprecise. This is especially true of the extended jump mechanic you are supposed to get when throwing an object whilst jumping. It seems fairly hit or miss for me when trying and there doesnt seem to be much rhyme or reason as to when it works and when it doesnt at least not that I've have figured out thus far. The final issue I've had with the game is that for some reason there is a minute + long loading screen every time you start up the game and while its a small thing I have to say it bothers me having to wait for it every time.
However, those few flaws aside I have been LOVING my time with the game so far. I fele like this game has been almost entirely overlooked and that makes me really sad. I encourage other fans of coop sidescrolling beatemups like Castle Crashers to give this one a shot.
Here are some gameplay videos. Here is a short video of coop gameplay
Heres a coop impressions video in German.
These are all early game so as not spoil later areas/bosses but rest assured there is variety in locale/art later on in the game and also keep in mind some of these videos are single player videos. CoOp is where this game really shines.
Now despite being a fantastic game for the most part there have been a few things I've taken issue with thus far. The first being that the game is incredibly easy for the first 5 or so levels to the point where there is little challenge at all. Things ramp up a bit as you progress but as of where I currently am its never felt like a significant challenge apart from two of the boss fights. Another issue I had with the game is the throwing mechanic. The way throwing is integrated in the gameplay makes it an essential tool for the player to use but the actual mechanics and controls behind it feel unpredictable and imprecise. This is especially true of the extended jump mechanic you are supposed to get when throwing an object whilst jumping. It seems fairly hit or miss for me when trying and there doesnt seem to be much rhyme or reason as to when it works and when it doesnt at least not that I've have figured out thus far. The final issue I've had with the game is that for some reason there is a minute + long loading screen every time you start up the game and while its a small thing I have to say it bothers me having to wait for it every time.
However, those few flaws aside I have been LOVING my time with the game so far. I fele like this game has been almost entirely overlooked and that makes me really sad. I encourage other fans of coop sidescrolling beatemups like Castle Crashers to give this one a shot.
Find me and my red shoes slummin' it on a few levels!
