Plot: What’s it about?
The video game world has a plethora of zombie related releases, but Zombie Driver: Ultimate Edition lets you slaughter undead while behind the wheel. The game throws you into a world overrun with zombies, so you just hop in your vehicle and start racking up massive kill counts. You don’t just drive around aimlessly however, as assorted game modes keep the missions fresh and balanced. Sometimes you will simply be asked to massacre zombies by the hundreds, other times test your driving skills in races, and even take on huge undead bosses from time to time. You can run them down of course, but vehicles also have special weapons and you can seek out power ups out in the field. As you progress, you are able to upgrade your vehicle and unlock new vehicles, so there is usually a new toy around each corner. Make your vehicle faster, more durable, and able to plow through huge zombie packs, or enhance your onboard weapons. The upgrade system adds some depth to an otherwise simplistic premise, so it is much appreciated and a wise inclusion. With a cool new upgrade just out of reach, you’re more likely to venture out into the zombie infested streets one more time before taking a break.
Zombie Driver was first released to the PC, then ported to XBox 360, but the latter version was removed because the publisher went out of business. This Xbox One release is called the Ultimate Edition and true to that title, it provides the ultimate experience for Zombie Driver fans. You will have access to all the Zombie Driver content ever released, as well as enjoy some potent visual and mechanical improvements. The game now performs at 1080p HD with 60 frames per second, which makes the entire experience silky smooth. The game also seems to offer more on screen zombies, as the hordes seemed to be more numerous than on the 360 incarnation. I had a lot of fun with Zombie Driver on the 360, so I knew I would have even more fun here, but EXOR Studios has really offered a worthwhile upgrade. Even if you own the 360 version, there is enough new and improved content here to more than warrant another purchase. And since the game was pulled from the marketplace, new fans can experience the best version of Zombie Driver ever. The game plays fast and smooth, with excellent controls that ensure you will never feel cheated by the mechanics or poor control responses. So if you’re a fan of running over hordes of zombies with tricked out cars, Zombie Driver: Ultimate Edition is a game you won’t want to miss out on.
Video: How’s it look?
As I mentioned above, the game has been given a visual overhaul and now runs at 1080p with 60 frames per second. In other words, the game looks awesome. The visuals are bright and well detailed, so if you take a break from dealing death, you can check out some great little touches in the game’s world. I also love how the carnage seems to be more persistent here, with blood pools and tracks staying on screen much longer. After all, it is fun to drive back to an area, see the blood soaked road, and reminisce about the zombies you killed there. A fast paced game like this needs clean, clear visuals that register easily, so I feel the design choices deliver on all counts.
Audio: How’s it sound?
The sound design is rock solid, but doesn’t shine as brightly as the visuals. The various engine noises and splattered corpses come through well, but never rise above average. That isn’t bad per se, as the basic bases all seem to be covered, but a little more creativity would have been welcome. The music is acceptable and rarely grates on your nerves, which is good news. I don’t want to sound negative, as the game’s audio is solid, but I think it could have been better.
