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Scheming Through The Zombie Apocalypse: The Beginning

Scheming Through The Zombie Apocalypse: The Beginning has some great chemistry between the two protagonists, a new take on the apocalypse, and tons of laughs to have. Just beware: it's very edgy!
Scheming Through The Zombie Apocalypse: The Beginning Game Cover
77%Game Brain Score
humor, story
grinding, stability
80% User Score Based on 503 reviews
Critic Score 68%Based on 3 reviews

Platforms

Xbox Series X|SPCPlaystation 5Mac OSPlaystation 4XboxWindowsPlayStation
Scheming Through The Zombie Apocalypse: The Beginning Game Cover

About

Scheming Through The Zombie Apocalypse: The Beginning is a single player management game with comedy and post-apocalyptic themes. It was developed by Entertainment Forge and was released on June 8, 2018. It received mostly positive reviews from critics and positive reviews from players.

Join retired salesman rabbit, Hank, and his canine pal, Larry, in part one of this story-driven game series as they use their knowledge of influence and persuasion to make their way through the apocalypse—without having to risk their own skin. With a mixture of dark comedy and the use of real-life influence tactics, this story-driven game puts you behind the wheel of the characters’ choices. Can y…

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80%
Audience ScoreBased on 503 reviews
humor233 positive mentions
grinding3 negative mentions

  • Unique and humorous take on the zombie apocalypse with witty, dark humor and clever dialogue.
  • Engaging narrative-driven gameplay focusing on strategy, persuasion, and resource management rather than combat.
  • High-quality voice acting and colorful cartoonish art style that complement the game's atmosphere and humor.
  • Very short playtime with the first episode lasting around 2 hours, leaving players wanting more.
  • Limited gameplay depth, mostly consisting of dialogue choices with minimal interactivity or puzzles.
  • Some players find the humor hit-or-miss and the main characters unlikable; occasional pacing issues and lack of features like dialogue skipping or multiple save slots.
  • humor
    238 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in "Scheming Through the Zombie Apocalypse: The Beginning" is characterized by dark, adult-oriented, often vulgar comedy with witty dialogue, pop culture references, and quirky characters. While many players found the humor hilarious, sharp, and a key highlight that keeps the tone light amid grim scenarios, others felt it was hit-or-miss, overly reliant on profanity, and sometimes offensive or cringeworthy. Overall, the game appeals strongly to those who enjoy irreverent, edgy humor and narrative-driven adventures but may alienate players with more sensitive tastes or expectations for deeper gameplay.

    • “The dialogue is a standout feature, filled with quirky humor and absurd scenarios that keep the tone light despite the underlying danger of the world you inhabit.”
    • “A hilarious and unique survival game with clever mechanics and dark humor.”
    • “The developers did everything perfectly - the game concept is unique; the way they present their story is lol-hilarious (caps fully intended); and even the characters have really fleshed out and somewhat relatable personalities.”
    • “It got boring very fast, with so much pointless chatter that is supposed to be funny but is honestly too generic and bland to achieve that. It feels more like a slightly more interactive visual novel but lacks the story and dialogue to support it.”
    • “Absolute cruel scripted, bad unfunny jokes and no skip button for dialogs.”
    • “Bad voice acting and cringey unfunny attempts at humor, often compensating for weak content with gratuitous swearing.”
  • story
    195 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story offers a humorous, quirky take on a zombie apocalypse featuring anthropomorphic animals with witty dialogue and engaging characters, though it is notably short and feels more like an interactive visual novel than a traditional game. While choices add some replay value, their impact on the overall plot is limited, and the episodic format leaves the narrative incomplete, with many hoping for a more cohesive continuation in future releases. The writing, voice acting, and style receive consistent praise, making it a fun, lighthearted experience despite its brevity and occasional pacing issues.

    • “I have to say, between the comedy of the game, the vibe of the character design, the really well done voice acting, I was fully immersed in the game. The story was engaging; I found myself having to pause so I could finish laughing a few times. There is a lot of fun to be had in this game.”
    • “The developers did everything perfectly - the game concept is unique; the way they present their story is lol-hilarious (caps fully intended); and even the characters have really fleshed out and somewhat relatable personalities.”
    • “Aside from the storyline and the mini-games, I love how fleshed out each character is - they all have their own personalities and quirks - and the voice acting in this game is simply top-notch!”
    • “Not much gameplay, and it also seems that the story stops at episode 2 but does not end.”
    • “Would only buy when the story is complete (if it ever will be).”
    • “The second episode just released after many years and apparently doesn't conclude the story so you can't expect a real ending to the series for a long time (if ever).”
  • gameplay
    115 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Gameplay in "Scheming Through the Zombie Apocalypse: The Beginning" is minimal and primarily dialogue-driven, resembling a visual novel with occasional simple mini-games like lock-picking and gambling. Players engage in strategic persuasion, bargaining, and decision-making that influence story outcomes, but many find the pace slow and the gameplay lacking depth or action. While fans appreciate its humor, character dynamics, and unique approach, those seeking traditional or more interactive gameplay may find it unsatisfying.

    • “The mechanics of inventory management, bargaining, and even gambling items for possible gains add layers of complexity and replayability, as every decision can influence your group’s survival prospects.”
    • “This indirect style of gameplay offers a fresh experience, requiring players to think carefully about who to trust and how to manage limited resources effectively.”
    • “"Scheming through the zombie apocalypse: the beginning" offers a refreshingly humorous take on the zombie apocalypse genre, blending witty dialogue, quirky characters, and strategic decision-making into an engaging gameplay experience.”
    • “Not much gameplay, and it also seems that the story stops at episode 2 but does not end.”
    • “The gameplay is dull, just a basic point-and-click with zero depth.”
    • “The gameplay side of the game definitely needs some improvement, especially since the game asks for multiple playthroughs to see the whole story and get all the achievements.”
  • graphics
    76 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game features a vibrant, stylized cartoon art style that perfectly complements its dark humor and quirky characters, earning consistent praise for its distinctive, charming visuals. While some find the animation simple or the style polarizing, overall the graphics are appreciated for effectively conveying the game's tone and personality. The artwork, combined with solid voice acting, significantly enhances the experience despite occasional critiques of gameplay or writing.

    • “Still, I was pleasantly surprised by the visuals; the smooth, colorful cartoon art looks great and fits perfectly with the quirky animal characters like dogs, raccoons, and rabbits.”
    • “The graphics are well done; I simply loved the artwork, along with a great soundtrack and sound effects.”
    • “Cartoonish art style: the visuals match the game's comedic tone perfectly, with fun, stylized characters and environments.”
    • “I don't know what they were going for here - has a cartoony, kiddish art style with cringey and abrasive writing, worse voice acting, and even worse 'gameplay'.”
    • “Decent graphics can’t save it from its own mediocrity, unlikeable cast, stale writing, and uninspiring gameplay.”
    • “The visuals are decent, but that’s about it.”
  • replayability
    24 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game offers moderate replayability primarily through its branching choices, achievements, and varying outcomes, encouraging multiple playthroughs to explore different strategies and story paths. While its short length limits extensive replay, the complexity of decisions and evolving content enhances player engagement for those interested in fully experiencing the game's variations.

    • “The mechanics of inventory management, bargaining, and even gambling items for possible gains add layers of complexity and replayability, as every decision can influence your group’s survival prospects.”
    • “What’s particularly appealing is the replayability factor; completing the game more than once to explore the consequences of different choices keeps players engaged.”
    • “Dont worry about it being a short ride, it has many, many options and has a high replay value plus, the developer is adding more to this game bit by bit with voiced lines being the next!”
    • “☑️ For achievements (I think it’s not very replayable).”
    • “One notable issue was replayability—specifically for achievement hunting.”
    • “The game is only two hours long, but there is some replay value.”
  • music
    20 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game is generally praised for fitting the post-apocalyptic mood with a mix of eerie ambient and upbeat tracks, creating a relaxing and complementary atmosphere without being intrusive. While some find the soundtrack enjoyable and well-suited to the narrative and art style, others note it can be understated or inconsistently present during gameplay. Overall, the voice acting and musical chemistry enhance the experience, even if the music itself isn't always a standout feature.

    • “The soundtrack sets the mood perfectly, alternating between eerie ambient tracks and upbeat tunes that complement the game's humor.”
    • “The music fits the game well, though it’s understated a lot after the apocalypse happens, nearly non-existent. The voice acting in the game is fun; the old New York accent of Hank mixed with the Pennsylvania accent of Larry shows great chemistry that fits the characters well.”
    • “The graphics are well done; I simply loved the artwork, along with a great soundtrack and sound effects.”
    • “Just filling noises, no music.”
    • “The music is not always playing in parts where it should have music.”
    • “The music is understated a lot after the apocalypse happens, nearly non-existent.”
  • grinding
    10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Grinding in the game is generally seen as tedious and repetitive, with multiple mentions of it being "grindy" or requiring extra effort like a "second life" to progress. Unskippable dialogues add to the tedium, making the experience feel long and monotonous for many players.

    • “A bit grindy sometimes.”
    • “A bit grindy.”
    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “This is the most grindy achievements ever in a game.”
    • “One long, tedious grind.”
  • character development
    5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Character development in the game is mixed, with some players appreciating the humor, expressive designs, and engaging voice acting that add charm and immersion, while others find the characters underdeveloped and quickly lose interest. Overall, the comedic tone enhances the experience despite limited character growth.

    • “The colorful and expressive character designs help to soften the bleakness of a zombie apocalypse, injecting a sense of dark comedy and charm throughout the experience.”
    • “I have to say, between the comedy of the game, the vibe of the character design, the really well done voice acting, I was fully immersed in the game. The story was engaging, and I found myself having to pause so I could finish laughing a few times. There is a lot of fun to be had in this game.”
    • “Loved the humor and the character development was great!”
    • “That said, there’s little to no character development, and while the conversations were fine, they didn’t leave a lasting impression.”
  • atmosphere
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game features a strong, humor-infused atmosphere that effectively complements its comedic style, supported by distinctive and well-crafted artwork. While challenging at times, the overall ambiance is engaging and contributes positively to the experience.

    • “A very atmospheric game with humor, difficult in places, but I respect the drawing.”
    • “The style really does lend itself well to the comedy atmosphere the developers were going for.”
  • stability
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game suffers from notable stability issues, including freezing on the guild trading screen and a lack of essential interface buttons. Overall, it is buggy and offers limited gameplay beyond its visual novel style.

    • “The game freezes the first time you enter the guild trading screen; there is no 'okay' or 'cancel' button.”
  • monetization
    1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The monetization aspect appears limited, with advertising for the next episode shown only at the end of the first playthrough, though some users have experienced technical issues requiring them to force quit the game.

  • emotional
    1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The emotional aspect of the game evoked discomfort and unease rather than engagement or sympathy, causing players to feel disturbed rather than invested in the characters' fates.

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2h Median play time
3h Average play time
2-4h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 5 analyzed playthroughs
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Scheming Through The Zombie Apocalypse: The Beginning is a management game with comedy and post-apocalyptic themes.

Scheming Through The Zombie Apocalypse: The Beginning is available on Xbox Series X|S, PC, PlayStation 5, Mac OS and others.

On average players spend around 3 hours playing Scheming Through The Zombie Apocalypse: The Beginning.

Scheming Through The Zombie Apocalypse: The Beginning was released on June 8, 2018.

Scheming Through The Zombie Apocalypse: The Beginning was developed by Entertainment Forge.

Scheming Through The Zombie Apocalypse: The Beginning has received mostly positive reviews from players and mostly positive reviews from critics. Most players liked this game for its humor but disliked it for its grinding.

Scheming Through The Zombie Apocalypse: The Beginning is a single player game.

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