Ice Station Z
- December 2, 2021
- Wobbly Tooth
Get on Steam"Ice Station Z" is a first-person shooter game set in a remote Antarctic research facility. Players must survive and uncover the truth behind a mysterious infection that has turned the staff into zombie-like creatures. With limited resources and a vast, open world to explore, players must navigate through treacherous environments, battle against hordes of the undead, and solve puzzles to progress through the story.
Nintendo Switch
PC
Playstation 4
Windows
PlayStation
Reviews
- The game brings back nostalgia from the original 3DS version, making it enjoyable for fans of the classic.
- The graphics and sound design have been improved, providing a more immersive experience compared to the original.
- Playing with friends enhances the experience, making it more fun and engaging.
- The controls are clunky and inconsistent, making gameplay frustrating, especially with keyboard and mouse.
- The game lacks content and replay value, leading to a boring experience after a short time.
- It feels like a lazy port from the 3DS version with minimal new features or improvements.
- graphics32 mentions
- 13 % positive mentions
- 78 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The graphics in the game have received notable upgrades from the original 3DS version, enhancing the overall visual experience with improved designs, animations, and a more immersive environment. However, players express frustration over the lack of customizable graphics settings and keybind options, which detracts from the overall enjoyment. While the updated visuals are appreciated, some feel that a more significant graphical overhaul could have been achieved.
“The graphics are beautiful here, and the amazing ambiance from the first game has been brought over perfectly.”
“The game is better than the 3DS version with added advanced graphics, larger scale, and building interiors making the game more enjoyable to play and explore.”
“Good game, I remember playing it on the 3DS, and now with the updated graphics and features, it brings back all that nostalgia from when we were kids while supplying 10x as much fun.”
“This may not belong in this category, but the worst part is that you cannot change any graphics settings.”
“Graphics could've gotten a way bigger upgrade though.”
“The game lacks basic things like audio adjustment, keybinds, changing graphical settings, even changing the window size, which is frankly absurd; even most free games have these options.”
- stability6 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game exhibits a range of stability issues, including various glitches and bugs that can affect gameplay. While some players find these bugs to be annoying, others see potential benefits in certain glitches, suggesting that some could be reworked into features. Overall, despite its janky nature, many still find the game enjoyable and worth the price.
“Some annoying glitches, but other than that, an amazing game for the price.”
“Then there are more obvious things, like glitches and bugs. Certain bugs I think are quite useful, like if you get killed in a multiplayer game and you turn off the game (not save and quit, more like alt+F4ing out of the game), you seem to keep all your equipment, whereas if you save and quit you don't. If this bug is indeed fixed, then instead it should be turned into a feature.”
“I remember playing this game on my Nintendo 3DS years back, and though janky and slightly buggy, it's still as fun as I remembered.”
- gameplay4 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
Gameplay is centered around collecting various equipment and items for achievements, but players find the difficulty level to be too easy and lacking progression, leading to a repetitive experience in this endless survival game.
“All I'm trying to do now is find the last part of the equipment I'm missing, like the Arctic jacket, some dolls or snowmen, which I think are for an achievement, or a mechanical part to use the helicopter.”
“There are a few problems like the difficulty is rather easy and the game doesn't get progressively harder over time. This is a problem since it's an endless survival game, and gameplay can get repetitive.”
- atmosphere4 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is praised for evoking nostalgia and enhancing the overall environment, contributing positively to the player's experience. However, some players feel that issues with inventory management, UI, and controls could detract from the enjoyment for newcomers. Overall, the atmosphere is seen as a strong point, with potential for the game to become even greater.
“It gives me the nostalgia while also adding to the environment and atmosphere.”
“So I'm really enjoying this game; it gives me 'The Thing' vibes, well, the atmosphere does at least.”
“So I'm really enjoying this game; it gives me the 'thing' vibes, well the atmosphere does at least. But with that being said, this game has good bones and could be something great in my opinion. My only issues are the inventory management, the UI, and the controls. I mean, it's not bad where it's unplayable, but if you don't take the time to learn them, then for someone who just gets the game, they'll probably be put off by it and not play it.”
- replayability2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The game lacks replayability due to the absence of features that enhance the experience, such as challenging enemies or loot drops, making encounters feel repetitive and unengaging.
“There are no features in-game that increase the replay value: the zombies are pretty easy to kill and they neither drop any loot nor become stronger.”
- monetization2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The monetization of the game is perceived positively, with players appreciating that it doesn't feel like a quick cash grab aimed at exploiting nostalgia, suggesting that the developer has put genuine effort into the game.
- humor2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is highlighted by amusing scenarios, such as the sight of four zombies standing together, which players find entertaining and amusing.
“I saw four zombies standing next to each other, which I found quite funny! ^^”
“I saw four zombies standing next to each other, which I found quite funny! ^^”
- grinding2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and boring, often feeling stuck due to a lack of content and engaging gameplay. This has led to frustration, as the repetitive nature of grinding detracts from the overall experience.
“The game is boring, tedious, and lacking in content in general.”
“I got stuck inside a building with no way to escape through a window.”
- music2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The music in the game is described as subtle, contributing to the overall atmosphere without being overpowering.
“Some subtle music”
“Some subtle music.”
