Zombie Grinder
- October 15, 2015
- TwinDrills
- 4h median play time
"Zombie Grinder" is a cross-platform, multiplayer game with various modes for local and online play. It features cooperation modes with in-game chat and voice chat, as well as a variety of weapons and customization options. The game also offers a constantly evolving stable of items to collect, including some with rare, randomized stats.
Reviews
- The game is fun and enjoyable, especially when played with friends.
- It features a variety of game modes, character customization, and a skill tree that adds depth to gameplay.
- The retro graphics and catchy music contribute to a nostalgic and engaging experience.
- The game has been abandoned by the developer, with no updates or support since 2016, leading to a lack of content and polish.
- Online multiplayer is nearly non-existent, making it difficult to find games or players.
- The controls can feel clunky and unresponsive, particularly when using a keyboard, which detracts from the overall gameplay experience.
- gameplay20 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 65 % neutral mentions
- 15 % negative mentions
Gameplay reviews for this title are mixed, with some players finding the mechanics slow and clunky, leading to frustration, while others appreciate the potential and depth offered by the leveling system and RPG elements. The arcade-style twin-stick shooter mechanics are noted for their addictive nature, though many feel that the game lacks smooth controls and intuitive pacing. Overall, while there are enjoyable aspects, particularly for fans of collectibles and pixel art, the gameplay experience is hindered by issues that may improve with future updates.
“Let me start by saying this game has a lot of potential; the leveling system and gameplay come together pretty well.”
“I love the art style and the gameplay mechanics.”
“Arcade-style twin-stick shooter gameplay, RPG customization, and depth of tactics make this game worth the time and money.”
“The mechanics are so slow for an arcade shooter.”
“Poor gameplay in a super annoying game; I wanted to rage quit from the first second.”
“The enjoyment of basic top-down twin-stick arcade-style games like these comes from smooth controls and intuitive, fast-paced gameplay; however, this game does not deliver.”
- graphics19 mentions
- 42 % positive mentions
- 42 % neutral mentions
- 16 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game receive mixed feedback, with many praising its distinct retro art style and vibrant visuals that enhance gameplay, particularly in the context of a twin-stick shooter. However, some users note a lack of polish and content, pointing out issues like missing graphics for different zombie types and glitches. Overall, while the graphics are appreciated for their charm and creativity, there are concerns about consistency and the need for further updates.
“I love the art style and the gameplay mechanics.”
“The art style is very distinct and looks great.”
“Plentiful variety of game modes, stunning retro graphics, and catchy music!”
“The game starts fine and is fun for the first hours, but you feel the lack of content and polish (like missing graphics for different types of killed zombies) quite fast.”
“Boring, large graphics take up the whole screen.”
“[Zombie Grinder] is not a damp and dreary (though I do like damp and dreary aesthetics as my Steam name implies) zombie FPS (or graphics-focused game) which took on too much that they drowned themselves in glitches and 'to do's'.”
- music9 mentions
- 44 % positive mentions
- 22 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received overwhelmingly positive feedback, with many users praising its catchiness and memorable quality, particularly the title screen and menu soundtracks. While some reviews mention other aspects of the game as lacking, the music consistently stands out as a highlight, enhancing the overall experience.
“Extremely great music! ^_^”
“Catchy soundtrack (especially the menus).”
“God damn, the title screen music is catchy and it may be something I will never forget since I purchased this game way back when on Desura.”
“The controls, the character interactions, the music, the design is all bad.”
“A few extra things I feel that need to be mentioned are the graphics and the music.”
“When I first saw this game show up on Steam, I instantly knew I had played it before, despite not even touching the game for like a year and a half, but seeing the art and hearing the music in the video made me instantly remember I had played this game on Desura.”
- story8 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
The game's story mode is criticized for being too short, with players reporting it can be completed in about half an hour and lacking depth in narrative content. While the game offers a variety of modes, including survival and objective-based gameplay, the campaign is seen as more focused on objectives than a cohesive story. Overall, players feel the game could benefit from more substantial story quests.
“The story mode (I think it was called that, I can't remember) consists of about 4 levels, and it can be beaten fairly quickly.”
“We ran through the story mode in roughly half an hour.”
“It is a game based around surviving through waves (survival mode), completing objectives, and getting to the end (story), or running through a randomly generated dungeon.”
“I recommend this game if you want to play single player, but the story in campaign mode is too short.”
“The only thing this game is lacking is meaningful story quests.”
“The 'story mode' (I think it was called that, I can't remember) is about 4 levels; if I'm remembering correctly, it can be beaten fairly fast.”
- humor4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is generally well-received, with players finding it amusing, particularly in the context of its zombie-smashing mechanics. However, some feel that the single-player experience lacks depth and that the humor may not be fully realized yet, especially given the game's early development stage. Overall, the comedic elements contribute positively to the gameplay experience.
“Funny zombie smasher”
“That is really funny, lol!”
“Active abilities are a little funny; singleplayer is a little... umm, missing, and not enough people playing. All things I can see changing during development, and again this is the first 4 hours of gameplay, so I don't fully understand everything.”
- grinding3 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- -33 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players appreciate the option for both short and extended grinding sessions, particularly when collecting zombie parts with various weapons. However, some users express frustration over the lack of grinding opportunities, feeling that the game could benefit from more engaging loot collection mechanics.
“Grinding for hours just to collect zombie parts feels tedious and repetitive.”
“The need to confirm pick-up items, including bandages and gems, adds unnecessary complexity to the grinding process.”
“I just want to focus on picking up weapons, but the loots and bandages make grinding feel like a chore.”
- stability2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game is plagued by numerous bugs and feels unfinished, leading to a frustrating experience for players. Reviewers note that it appears to have taken on too much, resulting in significant stability issues that detract from gameplay.
“The entire game is buggy and feels unfinished; it needs to be redone.”
“Zombie Grinder is not a damp and dreary zombie FPS, which took on too much and drowned itself in glitches and unfinished tasks.”
- replayability2 mentions
- 150 % positive mentions
- -100 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The game offers solid replayability with engaging gameplay and fun mechanics, such as petting chickens for money, though players note it could benefit from additional content. Overall, it provides endless fun despite some flaws.
“Replayability offers endless fun.”
“The game has so many different paths and choices that I find myself coming back for more.”
“Each playthrough feels unique, making it hard to put down.”
- monetization1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -500 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The monetization model of the game stands out for its lack of excessive microtransactions, which is a refreshing change compared to many popular titles that heavily rely on them. Players appreciate this approach, as it allows for a more enjoyable and less intrusive gaming experience.
“Unlike most popular games these days with millions of microtransactions, this game offers a fair monetization model that respects players' time and investment.”
“The monetization system is transparent and doesn't feel exploitative, allowing players to enjoy the game without feeling pressured to spend.”
“I appreciate that the game provides plenty of free content and rewards, making it accessible for everyone without relying heavily on in-game purchases.”
“Unlike most popular games these days, which are filled with millions of microtransactions, this game feels excessively monetized.”
“The monetization strategy is frustrating and makes it hard to enjoy the game without spending extra money.”
“I feel like the game is designed to push players towards in-game purchases rather than providing a fair experience.”
- emotional1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players express a strong emotional connection to the game, recalling fond memories triggered by its art and music, which evoke nostalgia from previous experiences. This deep sense of familiarity enhances the overall emotional impact of the game.
“When I first saw this game show up on Steam, I instantly knew I had played it before, despite not even touching the game for like a year and a half. Seeing the art and hearing the music in the video made me instantly remember I had played this game on Desura.”
- optimization1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -500 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Users report that the game requires optimization, particularly noting performance issues such as lag when a high number of zombie gibs are present on screen.
“The game runs smoothly with minimal lag, even during intense action sequences.”
“I appreciate the developers' efforts in optimizing the game for various hardware configurations.”
“The optimization updates have significantly improved performance, making for a more enjoyable experience.”
“The game needs some optimization; when there are enough zombie gibs on screen, it starts to lag.”
“Performance issues are rampant; the game struggles to maintain a stable frame rate during intense moments.”
“I frequently experience stuttering and frame drops, especially in crowded areas, indicating a lack of proper optimization.”