UNDYING, crafted by Skystone Games and Vanimals, offers a fresh perspective on the familiar zombie genre. In our review, we explore what makes this game unique.
Set amid a zombie outbreak, you take on the role of Anling. The chaos has been ongoing for four long months, yet each day feels endless. The military, in an effort to protect civilians, converted subway stations into emergency camps. Their original plan involved systematically evacuating these camps, but as often happens in such dire times, plans went awry. Right when it was your group’s turn for extraction, the ceiling gave way under the relentless weight of zombies eager to breach the haven. With no viable escape, Anling’s sole focus is now her son, Cody. Complicating matters further, Anling has suffered a zombie bite. With her days numbered, she must ensure Cody’s survival, imparting vital survival skills before her inevitable transformation. Fortunately, you’ve both managed to retreat to your house, setting the stage for survival as you scavenge for resources to keep going as long as fate allows.
The gameplay invites players to test their resilience with varying difficulty settings: Tranquil, Adventure, and Fierce. The Tranquil mode offers a more forgiving experience where time seems to drag, and threats are minimal. The Adventure mode steps up the challenge, making resources scarce and requiring precision in resource management. Meanwhile, the Fierce mode demands constant vigilance, with time accelerating and danger omnipresent. Can you navigate these perilous levels and secure your survival?
Once you select your difficulty, you’ll guide Anling using the left analog stick, with young Cody tagging along. There’s a stealth mode for sneaky moments, accessible by pressing the same stick. When it comes to interactions, the B button is your friend. Decisions on who will pick up items, Anling or Cody, also come into play. Combat involves the ZR button, and locking onto foes is done with a press of the right stick. Cody can be instructed to hold his ground, follow, or offer assistance. Additionally, the R button lets you hold Cody’s hand to comfort him in trying times.
Monitoring health metrics like HP, food, and hydration is crucial, alongside your attack abilities, movement speed, and any active bonuses. Cody has his own stats mirroring those of Anling’s, but with the added twist of managing symptoms from Anling’s infection, presenting unique challenges to your strategy.
Resource gathering is just one aspect; upgrading equipment is another vital quest. Enhancing your backpack capacity and efficiency by acquiring expansions is essential. A reinforced backpack allows more items to be stacked together, enhancing logistic efficiency. This isn’t just a convenience; boosting your movement speed by 1% for each empty backpack slot can make all the difference when time is of the essence.
Skill development for Cody is equally crucial. His skill tree spans crafting, survival, and combat, allowing for a versatile approach to the challenges ahead. Bolstering Cody’s crafting abilities becomes indispensable; he can learn to make items at the tool bench or even help with projects. With enough experience, Cody will discern valuable items in scrap piles and even learn to fend for himself, by hunting or dismantling threats.
Anling’s journey is about more than fighting zombies; it’s an emotional tale of survival against inevitable tragedy. The story brings players back to the struggle Anling faces: protecting Cody in this twisted reality. Her impending transformation drives her to impart wisdom to Cody, ensuring he can brave the world without her.
UNDYING retails for $19.99 on the Nintendo Switch, and the game’s emotional challenge compels players to ponder: Can you equip your son to survive the harsh future ahead?
This review of UNDYING is based on a Nintendo Switch copy provided by Skystone Games.
