Review: Undead Storm Nightmare (3DS)

Undead Storm Nightmare is the sequel to Nintendo DSiWare game, Undead Storm. Fight off hordes of zombies as you face a new epidemic, first hand. Undead Storm Nightmare will test your skills to the limit! Arm yourself from a stock of weapons that include an assault rifle, rocket launcher, chainsaw and a samurai sword! Upgrade each weapon to increase its performance, and fight through waves of zombies, before going one-on-one with the giant zombie bosses!

Pros:

• Decent looking graphics.
• Gameplay is a top down Ish zombie shooter.
• Single player mode which is the main story.
• Upto 4 player multiplayer where you can heal each other and share resources etc. Local wireless only with create/join room options.
• Resident Evil vibes from the colour palette to the zombies themselves. The opening is a true homage to the Resident Evil games.
• Analogue and d pad can be used.
• Touchscreen can be used for menu options and changing guns in game if you so wish.
• In game tutorial to show you the basics of the game and how it plays out.
• Further help can be found in the help section,  includes pictures.
• Excellent presentation,  Everything just looks polished and we’ll thought out,  From the interface to the bottom screen placement.
• 16 missions to unlock.
• Missions are broken into 3 levels with increasing difficulty.
• clear UI showing off ammo,  health and weapon in use etc.
• Auto saves frequently.
• Create multiple loadout with a max of 5.
• Find loot by smashing crates and killing zombies.
• Cash is used to buy missions, levels,  weapons and upgrades.
• Collect materials which are used to upgrade weapons along with cash.
• Shop sells guns like RPG, grenades, armour and so much more.
• Timed bonus room at the end of each level to scoop extra loot.
• Accrued materials, cash is saved even on a game over.
• Nightmare mode: Triggering a witch will cause the screen to get dark and more zombies to appear. Basically it all goes mental!
• Loads of level variety with some clever levels like pitch black ones where you can only see what is in front of you via your torch.
• Ever increasing difficulty.
• Can replay levels.

Cons:

• No 3D.
• No online multiplayer.
• Cannot change button loadout.
• No circle pad pro support.
• Grenades are classed as weapons and makes swapping to them and a gun awkward.
• Controls are not very fluid.

In Summary, As soon as you boot the game you are impressed by its high level of Polish.  A Resident Evil style voice over welcomes you and it all sounds and looks brilliant.  You read the help and jump in.  that’s when it all goes a bit wrong.  For the controls are some of the most awkward ones I have encountered.  Now I have quite big hands but even then the loadout is just not comfortable. Using the shoulder buttons to change direction is just not that cool.  Why not let us have it as a twin stick game? I mean you can get the hang of it but it just boggles the mind why this layout is the only layout.  In short it’s a great game but first you must battle the controls and then and only then will you know if you have a winner.