Zombie Army 4: Dead War

A very strong outing for the Zombie Army series, with an incredible eye for detail, variety in every aspect and a fresh lick of paint. This is an essential pick-up for anyone who has enjoyed any of the previous games or the Sniper Elite series.

81%Game Brain Score

story, gameplay

monetization, grinding

86% User Score Based on 4,190 reviews

Critic Score 77%Based on 53 reviews

Platforms

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About

Zombie Army 4: Dead War is a single player and multiplayer survival shooter game with horror and fantasy themes. It was developed by Rebellion and was released on February 18, 2021. It received mostly positive reviews from critics and positive reviews from players.

Zombie Army 4: Dead War is a horror shooter game that offers both single-player and multiplayer modes, with up to 4 players in co-op. The Deluxe Edition includes the main game, additional character pack with Undead Airman playable character, weapon skin pack in solid gold, a weapon bundle with FG-42 Semi-auto Rifle, and character outfit bundle with Undercover Karl costume. Fight against hordes of zombies in this thrilling game.

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86%

Audience ScoreBased on 4,190 reviews

story151 positive mentions

monetization54 negative mentions

story
653 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
23%
72%
5%
The story of "Zombie Army 4: Dead War" is described as engaging and entertaining, featuring a campy narrative centered around a group of heroes battling Nazi zombies, with plenty of twists and collectibles to keep players invested. While some players appreciate the humor and over-the-top elements, others criticize the story for being simplistic and sometimes overshadowed by gameplay. Additionally, many reviews highlight the frustration of key story content being locked behind expensive DLC, which detracts from the overall experience.
- “The story is fun enough, with plenty of twists and turns to keep you hooked.”
- “The story of a group of heroes who survive an invasion of Nazi zombies leads players on dangerous missions to decide the fate of the world.”
- “While not the main focus, Zombie Army 4: Dead War delivers an engaging and intriguing storyline that keeps players invested in the game's world.”
- “The plot of the game is serviceable, and does just enough to facilitate the gameplay at hand.”
- “The downside is that key elements are locked behind DLC and even then it feels unresolved as if Rebellion has plans for still more DLC to continue the story.”
- “That being said, people complaining about the story I don't get at all. As such, I would recommend Zombie Army Trilogy over this, on top of this you get far more value in the trilogy as it seems at the time of writing this review half of this game is currently locked behind microtransactions, as such some parts of the story feel a bit abrupt and don't seem to flow well as though parts are deliberately missing.”
gameplay
471 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
37%
56%
7%
The gameplay of "Zombie Army 4: Dead War" is generally praised for its smooth mechanics, satisfying gunplay, and engaging cooperative experience, making it a fun choice for fans of the zombie shooter genre. While some players note that it feels similar to previous entries with minor tweaks, others appreciate the variety of weapons, character abilities, and the overall polish of the game. However, criticisms arise regarding repetitive gameplay, clunky mechanics, and the impact of microtransactions on the overall experience.
- “The gameplay in Zombie Army 4: Dead War is an absolute thrill ride from start to finish.”
- “Zombie Army 4: Dead War delivers a captivating co-op zombie experience with its breathtaking graphics, immersive sound design, and highly satisfying gameplay.”
- “The gameplay is smooth and satisfying, with a wide variety of weapons and upgrades to choose from.”
- “I was sort of disappointed; I initially went in with low expectations but then they got raised during the menus, then I was disappointed with the gameplay and controls.”
- “Let's start by saying that this is literally the same game as the previous 3, with just some tweaks here and there and better graphics. It still has the same awkward gameplay, terrible hitboxes and hit registration; everything is literally the same. Meanwhile, it's good to stay loyal to the roots, but not adding some quality of life changes or anything significant at all while keeping the same clunky gameplay is not right.”
- “The gameplay is so-so, but much of the experience is ruined by the obscene amount of DLC.”
graphics
289 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
58%
39%
3%
The graphics of "Zombie Army 4: Dead War" have received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising their stunning quality and attention to detail, which enhances the game's eerie atmosphere. Players noted that the visuals are a significant improvement over previous installments, offering immersive environments and smooth performance across various hardware setups. However, some critiques mention that while the graphics are impressive, they may not be enough to compensate for gameplay issues or the presence of microtransactions.
- “The graphics are stunning, immersing me in a post-apocalyptic world like never before.”
- “From the decaying streets of 1940s Europe to the grotesque visages of the undead, the visuals in this game are top-notch.”
- “The graphics of Zombie Army 4: Dead War are amazing and definitely one of the best looking zombie-killing games to date.”
- “My biggest gripe with Zombie Army 4 is the atmosphere and aesthetics.”
- “The graphics in my opinion are also outdated, faded, and colorless and every level looks the same.”
- “Boring, repetitive, poor visuals.”
music
117 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
34%
63%
3%
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising its unique and atmospheric qualities, particularly the eerie synth tracks that enhance the gameplay experience. However, some players expressed disappointment over the lack of variety, noting that the same few songs are repeated throughout, which can become irritating over time. Overall, while the soundtrack contributes positively to the game's ambiance, a desire for more diverse musical options was a common theme among reviewers.
- “The music, art design, voice acting, etc. are very well done too.”
- “The soundtrack is a bop as well with plenty of synth, bass, and more!”
- “Zombie Army 4 has very fitting sound and music, and the voice acting is on a whole different level of entertainment.”
- “The biggest letdown, though, is the soundtrack.”
- “As for audio, prepare to listen to the same soundtrack over the entire campaign, which isn't even good in the first place.”
- “My only critique is I wish there was a bit more variety because I swear it’s just the same 1-3 songs at any given time and that’s it.”
monetization
98 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
6%
39%
55%
The monetization strategy of the game has been widely criticized as overly aggressive and a blatant cash grab, with numerous microtransactions and content locked behind paywalls, including season passes and DLCs. Many players express disappointment that a significant portion of the game's content is inaccessible without additional purchases, contrasting sharply with earlier titles in the series that offered a more complete experience without such monetization tactics. While some users find the base game enjoyable, the pervasive nature of microtransactions detracts from the overall experience, leading to recommendations to avoid purchasing additional content.
- “Yes, there are a lot of in-game purchases, but you get Season Pass 1 for free (and a lot of skins).”
- “The monetization is fairly priced for most stuff, but there's almost an excessive amount.”
- “Amazing graphics and animations with the biggest downside of almost all the content being locked behind microtransactions.”
- “Every trash modern monetization you can think of exists in this game - Fortnite dances, taunts, weapon charms, season passes, weapons, skins, outfits, characters... such a disappointment.”
- “It's a huge let-down that the sequel of the masterpiece that was Zombie Army Trilogy became this: badly infested with microtransactions, how much content is hidden behind paywalls and the constant/blatant advertisements for these everywhere in-game.”
- “If you are looking for zombie-killing fun, then avoid this massive cash grab.”
replayability
82 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
39%
51%
10%
The game's replayability is highly praised, with players noting that various weapon choices, difficulty levels, and character perks create diverse gameplay experiences. Many reviews highlight the extensive content, including numerous maps and challenges, which significantly enhance replay value, especially in multiplayer settings. However, some players express concerns about limited replayability due to static elements and a lack of character progression, suggesting that while the game is fun, it may not sustain long-term engagement for everyone.
- “Depending on what weapons, perks, character, and difficulty you choose, you get very different gameplay, so the replay value is great.”
- “Zombie Army 4: Dead War offers ample replay value, with its various difficulty levels, unlockable weapons, upgrades, and hidden collectibles.”
- “Honestly speaking, this game has more content produced within it in size, scale, and replayability than most AAA games.”
- “Alright..from the developer of Strange Brigade, I played the Zombie Army Trilogy, I didn't quite like it, due to the lack of character progression and lack of replayability.”
- “I thought I’d play this game for over 100 hours, but by the looks of it, there is not much replay value for Zombie Army 4 unless you want to burn a few bags of money for an at best average game that had its incredible potential wasted.”
- “There's no replay value.”
atmosphere
72 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
52%
8%
The atmosphere in "Zombie Army 4: Dead War" is a mixed bag, with many praising its stunning graphics and detailed environments that create a tense, immersive experience suitable for a zombie shooter. However, some players feel it lacks the heavy, suffocating atmosphere of the original trilogy, leading to a less engaging experience overall. While the sound design and visual elements contribute positively, repetitiveness and a lack of variety in settings detract from the overall immersion.
- “The atmosphere is perfect for a zombie shooter, full of tension and excitement.”
- “Zombie Army 4: Dead War enthralls with its stunning graphics, immersing players in a post-apocalyptic world filled with eerie atmospheres and hauntingly beautiful decaying environments.”
- “From blood-soaked streets to crumbling buildings, the attention to detail is exceptional, complemented by atmospheric lighting that intensifies the horror.”
- “My biggest gripe with Zombie Army 4 is the atmosphere and aesthetics.”
- “The original trilogy had a much heavier, suffocating atmosphere.”
- “On top of lackluster mechanics, poor level design, and subpar atmosphere, the developers decided to pull one over on players and mangle guns from the start to make 'upgrades' feel more important.”
humor
67 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is widely praised, featuring a mix of dark comedy, absurd scenarios like "magical zombie Hitler," and quirky character lines that add levity to the zombie-slaying experience. Players appreciate the hidden movie references, funny emotes, and entertaining easter eggs, which contribute to a lighthearted atmosphere despite the horror theme. Overall, the game successfully balances humor with gameplay, making it a fun experience for both solo and cooperative play.
- “I have to say though that magical zombie Hitler is a hilarious idea.”
- “Every playable character has hilarious lines that they spout randomly while slaughtering nearly endless waves of zombies.”
- “So here you go, get two or three friends together, shut down your brains and just shoot some of those guys, all while laughing your ass off over the hilariously cheesy and deliberately bad voice acting.”
optimization
63 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
62%
32%
6%
The optimization of "Zombie Army 4" has received widespread praise, with players reporting excellent performance across a range of hardware, including older systems. Many users noted that the game runs smoothly at high settings without crashes or stuttering, even during intense gameplay, making it accessible for both high-end and lower-spec PCs. Overall, the game's optimization is highlighted as one of its standout features, contributing significantly to the enjoyable experience.
- “Performance-wise, Zombie Army 4 runs like a well-oiled machine.”
- “I'm honestly impressed at how optimized it is.”
- “The game looks great, and seems to be well optimized, runs at a smooth locked 60fps with all settings maxed at 1080p resolution.”
- “Refunded for extreme stuttering and lag.”
- “The game is very optimized; never had a frame rate issue.”
- “Imo, the only great thing about this game really is the optimization/performance.”
grinding
57 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
4%
17%
79%
The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it excessively tedious and repetitive, particularly in the context of weapon mastery and DLC upgrades. While some enjoy the grind as a way to pass time, others feel it detracts from the overall experience, leading to boredom and frustration, especially during lengthy farming sessions. Overall, the game may appeal to those who appreciate grinding, but it can become a chore for players seeking a more streamlined experience.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “A bit grindy sometimes.”
- “Yeah... the first 20 hours were actually decent, then it became a tedious grind...”
- “What I dislike about this game are the rather tedious natures of unlocking upgrades for DLC weapons, some of the DLC weapons themselves (the crossbow weapons, in particular), and the all-too-repetitive mass battles against hordes in campaign mode.”
- “However, the upgrade system is tedious and annoying because rather than simply requiring you to collect experience or currency like in a Resident Evil game, it requires doing lots of busy-work (get 50 head shots within 10 meters, etc.) in a way exactly like some of the worst Call of Duty multiplayer games.”
stability
53 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
36%
64%
Overall, the game's stability is a mixed bag; while many players report a smooth experience with great graphics and performance, there are notable issues, particularly in cooperative play where crashes and glitches occur. Some users have encountered minor bugs, such as problems with grenade selection and health pack pickups, but others claim the game is nearly bug-free. Despite these inconsistencies, the game is generally considered enjoyable and runs well on various systems.
- “It runs perfectly, no glitches, fps drops or bugs that I've seen.”
- “It's a game that came out nearly bug free.”
- “The game is polished and looks/runs great still and there's also still a fairly active online player base so you can jump in by yourself and play with randoms pretty easily.”
- “Game freezes mid mission, not fun at all.”
- “I followed all the troubleshooting advice online with no change.”
- “I wish Rebellion stopped pushing out content and worked on their games rather than thinking we are just money cows being milked over and over again for skins and buggy content that still does not get fixed.”
character development
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
Character development in the game is notable for its smooth animations and appealing design, contributing to the overall visual experience. While all characters share the same experience level, their unique characteristics offer varied loadouts and subtle gameplay differences, providing an interesting approach to character progression.
- “They all have some degree of character development.”
- “Interesting take on character development in that characters all share the same experience level and characteristics are used more in the sense of providing different loadouts and subtle play variations.”
- “Smooth animations and well-executed character design further enhance the visual appeal.”
emotional
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
33%
The emotional aspect of the game is mixed, with some players finding the story lacking in depth and engagement, while others appreciate the thrill of unique gameplay elements, such as battling undead Hitler. The challenge presented in higher difficulties adds a layer of excitement, but overall, the narrative fails to evoke strong emotional responses.