Rating of
3.5/5
The Dead Don't Run - But You Do
Chris Kavan - wrote on 06/04/14
I had this on my list to get - and was lucky enough to receive it as a gift during one of the many Steam sales. What the game lacks in length, it makes up for in some truly gorgeous visuals, as well as having a surprisingly good story for such a short enterprise It reminded me bit of Limbo (death is eminent) but set in a decaying city with zombies (sorry, I mean "shadows") all around you. For those who like 2D platforming or the zombie genre, this is a great little treat - easy enough to beat in a one sitting (or two) but challenging enough to keep you coming back.
Presentation: As a basic 2D platformer, you have no choice but to go forward (and occasionally up and down). But the game utilizes a pretty amazing 3D background - and it is set in Seattle, so the city, in all its crumbling glory, it brought to life. I found myself simply stopping the game at times just so I could look at the background detail, that's how good it was. The levels take you to several different settings - an underground sewer rigged with a variety of traps and pulleys, a hospital, hotel, a stadium, a military base - there is a pretty good mix here, enough not to make the game feel too generic of homogenous. The cut-scenes are in a hand-drawn animation style - they look good but the audio sometimes cut out on them. The character design is standard - nothing too special there (be it the human you play or come across nor the various shadow enemies). That being said, for this size of game, I thought it was designed well. The voice actor for the main character (Stephen Hughes) sounded way too much like a voice-over for an action movie - it was kind of annoying to me. The rest of the cast was adequate, if not memorable.
Story: The synopsis states it clearly - a small band of survivors is holed up as the world around them succumbs to death. As the group decides to heed a radio message and head to what they think is a safe haven, Randall is separated and must figure out how to make it back to the group on his own. He is also concerned about his wife and daughter - though the various diary pages you can collect on the adventure, as well as some of the "Nightmare" levels you encounter, don't point to a happy reunion. Randall interacts with a few people - the Ratman, who has created an underground home filled with traps and an elaborate pulley set-up, who is searching for his son - as well as various survivors from his group (many of whom don't survive for very long) and - if you know zombie movies at all, you know the "safe haven" is anything but - leading Randall to make one, final choice as well as face his past. It's not that original of a story (I kind of knew where things were going) but it still creates an emotional impact - something I wouldn't have thought possible in such a small packaged game. Overall, the effort was good.
Gameplay: Standard 2D platforming mixed with some light combat. You run, jump, roll, kick down doors, break through wall, wall jump - or a combination of such - to get through each of the three levels (broken up into several small chunks). At times you find yourself with a axe, a handgun and a shotgun - you have both health and stamina - if the health runs out, it's game over. Stamina determines how long you can hang on walls and if you can swing your axe. The Shadows are surprisingly reliant to attack - you have to swing many times to take one down, and usually expend at least two bullets to take one out. Avoidance is the best option - or using your surroundings to lure them down to where they either die from a fall or can't attack you anymore. There are a few environmental hazards (electricity, pushing crates and the like) you can use from time to time to take them out as well. But most of the game is timing jumps - and for the most part it isn't too difficult. There are hidden objects to find: pages from your diary, various ID cards (all of which, for some reason, have the names of serial killers), various other collectibles and even games within a game - handheld gaming devices (I was only able to find the first of three). A few were well hidden enough that I didn't find them, but most aren't that hard to find and offer an interesting glimpse into not only the main characters mind, but this alternate world as well.
Replayability: Considering it's a short game, you could go back easily to find all the items you missed via chapter select. Beating the game once also unlocks "Nightmare" mode (of which I didn't try) - so there is that to consider for all you hardcore gamers. All in all, it gives you a little incentive to go back, but just a little.
Overall: For a short platformer, the game delivers. I was happy with the results and for those who like running and jumping (and zombies), it's a good choice for a rainy day.
Presentation: 3.5/5
Story: 3/5
Gameplay: 3.5/5
Replayability: 3/5
Overall (not an average): 3.5/5
