ZombiU (Remake)

ZombiU, also known as ZombiU: The Blight in North America, is a first-person survival horror game that stands as both a tribute and a reimagining of Ubisoft's 2012 title of the same name. Unlike its predecessor, this iteration transcends its Wii U exclusivity, integrating the unique capabilities of the Nintendo Switch for a multifaceted gaming experience.

Setting
Set in the bleak year of 2024, ZombiU unfolds against the haunting backdrop of a dystopian London, now a sprawling nightmare overrun by hordes of the undead. The game's enhanced visuals and intricate design breathe life into this harrowing world, offering players an immersive and eerily realistic experience. Departing from its predecessor's confined spaces, this iteration embraces the expanse of an open-world rendition of post-apocalyptic London, seamlessly blending open-world exploration and RPG elements into its gripping survival horror framework. As players navigate the decaying heart of the city, they are drawn deeper into its immersive narrative.

Unlike the original ZombiU, which confined gameplay to tight quarters and linear paths, the remake liberates players into an expansive, interconnected map of London right from the start. Traversing this sprawling dystopia provides the freedom to explore on foot or by various means of transportation, be it a car or the underground subway system. Negotiating the perilous streets and alleyways, players face the constant threat of the undead in this open-world design that encourages exploration and freedom like never before. Regardless of the chosen mode of transportation, the entirety of the city becomes a vast playground for the player's survival.

As players roam the desolate streets, the encounter with the relentless undead is not the sole challenge. The game introduces iconic locations, meticulously modeled after real-life landmarks of the United Kingdom, providing a hauntingly familiar yet twisted atmosphere. Whether stealthily navigating through a distorted version of Trafalgar Square, delving into the underground labyrinth of the London Tube, or seeking refuge within the eerie confines of St. Paul's Cathedral, each locale serves as a chilling reflection of its real-world counterpart.

Gameplay

 * Main article: ZombiU (Remake)/Jobs & Professions
 * Main article: ZombiU (Remake)/Status Effects
 * Main article: ZombiU (Remake)/Perks
 * Main article: ZombiU (Remake)/Skills & Upgrades

Staying true to the essence of ZombiU, the remake preserves its fundamental identity as a first-person survival horror game, enriched by elements of Metroidvania and shooter genres. Set in a post-apocalyptic London overrun by zombies, players assume the role of a survivor navigating the desolate urban landscape. Guided by the mysterious Prepper, they must fortify a safe haven crucial for enduring the apocalypse while embarking on a quest for a cure led by the esteemed Dr. Knight stationed at Buckingham Palace. In their struggle to survive, players utilize a variety of strategies to confront the undead threat, from firearms and melee weapons to gadgets and explosives. Different types of zombies, each with unique abilities, present formidable challenges, necessitating adaptability and resourcefulness in combat.

Unlike its predecessor, the remake elevates the importance of the player character's profession, directly influencing their skills, abilities, and overall gameplay experience. Each profession comes with distinct strengths and weaknesses, shaping the character's progression and offering strategic advantages. As characters advance, they unlock perks tailored to their profession, enhancing their effectiveness in specific aspects of survival. Furthermore, players can customize their character's appearance, influencing both aesthetics and gameplay mechanics. Job-specific abilities play a crucial role in navigating the perilous streets of London, emphasizing the strategic significance of profession selection in shaping gameplay dynamics and survival strategies.

Exploration is paramount in ZombiU, with hidden beds serving as save points and guiding players back to their sanctuaries. Scavenging resources from fallen foes unlocks previously inaccessible zones, encouraging thorough exploration and strategic resource management. Environmental puzzles add variety to gameplay, challenging players to think critically and solve challenges to progress. The absence of conventional checkpoints underscores the value of survival, instilling a sense of character preservation amidst the constant threat of death. A dynamic weather system and day-night cycle further immerse players in the post-apocalyptic world, introducing realism and complexity to the survival experience.

The infected horde in ZombiU exhibits sophisticated AI, with behavior patterns and aggression levels influenced by the day-night cycle. Players must adapt their tactics to contend with varying levels of aggression and pack mentality among the infected. Some zombies display erratic movement and attack patterns, posing unpredictable challenges to players. Beyond combat, players can interact with zombies using distraction and environmental elements, offering additional tactical options. Death returns players to the safe house, where they can retrieve lost equipment and continue their progress, underscoring the importance of strategic resource management and base defense. As players progress, they can invest resources into transforming their safe house into a secure refuge, reinforcing defenses and upgrading facilities to enhance survivability. Survivor recruitment and role assignment within the safe house contribute to its functionality and resilience against zombie attacks. Resource management and decision-making play a central role in optimizing base upgrades and expansions, offering players strategic depth and customization options in their fight for survival.

ZombiU features the following difficulty levels:


 * Freelancer: Freelancer mode offers the most relaxed difficulty setting, tailored for players seeking a narrative-driven experience. Survival challenges are dialed down, resources are ample, and encounters with enemies are infrequent. Unlimited lives grant players the freedom to delve into the game's story and explore the nightmarish world with a focus on narrative rather than survival. This mode replaces the original Chicken Mode.
 * Normal: Providing a balanced experience, Normal mode presents a moderate challenge suitable for most players. Survival mechanics are in play, resources require careful management, and encounters with enemies are challenging but not overwhelming. With three lives at your disposal, this mode strikes a harmonious balance between storytelling and survival gameplay.
 * Survivor: For those seeking a greater challenge, Survivor mode amps up the difficulty. Active survival mechanics, scarce resources, and intense enemy encounters define this mode. With only two lives, decision-making and resource management become critical as you strive to keep survivors alive in the harsh and unforgiving world.
 * Hardened: Significantly increasing the difficulty, Hardened mode presents a constant struggle for survival. Limited resources, relentless enemy encounters, and severe consequences for mistakes define this mode. With just one life, if you die, you assume the role of another survivor. Designed for experienced players, Hardened mode demands precision, strategy, and quick thinking for a hardcore survival horror experience.
 * Nightmare: Nightmare mode is the epitome of horror and challenge. Punishing survival mechanics, extremely scarce resources, and brutally difficult enemy encounters await players. Only the most skilled and determined players will survive the relentless onslaught of zombies, who boast 50% more health and do 50% more damage in this mode.
 * Psychopath: Psychopath mode elevates difficulty to an extreme level, making survival a constant battle for both sanity and life. Resources are nearly nonexistent, and overwhelming enemy encounters define this mode. Reserved for those who relish grueling and punishing gaming experiences, Psychopath mode is not for the faint of heart.
 * Madhouse: Madhouse mode unleashes chaos and unpredictability, where survival mechanics are brutal, resources are randomized, and enemy behaviors are more erratic. Every decision is a gamble, and players must adapt quickly to ever-changing circumstances. Dying means game over, with all progress lost. Madhouse mode stands as the ultimate test of adaptability and resilience.

Each difficulty mode offers a unique experience, catering to players of different skill levels and preferences. The choice of difficulty mode allows players to tailor their experience in ZombiU to match their desired level of challenge and immersion in the game's horrifying world.

Items

 * Main article: ZombiU (Remake)/Weapons & Ammo
 * Main article: ZombiU (Remake)/Prepper's Gadgets
 * Main article: ZombiU (Remake)/Equipment
 * Main article: ZombiU (Remake)/Clothing
 * Main article: ZombiU (Remake)/Food & Drinks
 * Main article: ZombiU (Remake)/Crafting Materials
 * Main article: ZombiU (Remake)/Medical Supplies
 * Main article: ZombiU (Remake)/Books & Magazines
 * Main article: ZombiU (Remake)/Miscellaneous Items

Locations

 * Main article: ZombiU (Remake)/Locations

Enemies

 * Main article: ZombiU (Remake)/Enemies

Storyline

 * Main article: ZombiU (Remake)/Missions
 * Main article: ZombiU (Remake)/Characters

Four centuries ago, John Dee, a brilliant English mathematician and alchemist, delved into the arcane realms of knowledge, seeking to unravel the mysteries of the future. His calculations led him to make startling predictions about impending doom, which became known as the Black Prophecy.

As the centuries passed, the Black Prophecy's significance remained dormant, its secrets hidden away in the annals of history. However, it did not escape the attention of those who recognized its potential significance. One such individual was the Prepper, a rugged ex-army veteran with a no-nonsense attitude, who had once been a part of the British Royal Marines. He took it upon himself to prepare for the impending apocalypse predicted by Dee's prophecy, but his interpretation of Dee's message diverged from others. Meanwhile, a secretive organization known as the Ravens of Dee had been tirelessly researching Dee's predictions, driven by their belief that they held the key to averting the impending catastrophe. They saw themselves as the custodians of the prophecy, determined to decipher its true meaning and to prevent its grim realization. To the Ravens, it was not merely a matter of understanding Dee's words; it was a matter of saving humanity from an unknown and impending calamity.

In 2023, the first ominous signs of the Black Prophecy's manifestation emerged in the heart of London. A deadly and contagious virus began to sweep through the city, transforming its unfortunate victims into undead monstrosities, driven by insatiable hunger and aggression.

This sudden outbreak of cannibalistic zombies sent shockwaves through the city and the world at large, sparking panic and chaos. Rumors surrounding the virus's origin swirled like a maelstrom. Some speculated that it was a genetically engineered weapon that had accidentally escaped containment, while others believed it to be the result of a terrorist attack, an extraterrestrial encounter gone awry, a mutated strain of rabies that had made the species jump from apes to humans, or even a divine punishment for the sins of humanity. The true source remained shrouded in mystery.

The Outbreak
The precise moment when the nightmare began is obscured by the fog of history, but estimates place it between November 2 and November 6, 2023. In those early hours, the military acted swiftly, erecting an "exclusion zone" to stave off the encroaching darkness. Their actions, though decisive, would only serve as a temporary bulwark against the relentless tide.

At the onset, the government's portrayal of the outbreak was a carefully constructed facade, masking the true horror that unfolded. They painted it as a mere flu-like illness, sowing seeds of confusion and panic among the infected populace. The virus, a malevolent specter lurking in their midst, spread through the most intimate of contacts — scratches and bites. Five days after the barricades were erected, the World Health Organization (WHO) issued a chilling decree, grounding all international flights that weren't directly tied to the military or medical efforts. This drastic measure plunged the nation into chaos, while the Prime Minister's frustration with the international response simmered beneath the surface. Across the globe, government leaders denounced Great Britain, as the response lacked clarity and purpose. There was also a single photograph smuggled out from the heart of the Exclusion Zone (implied to be taken by the Prepper himself), which was like a haunting scream echoing through the corridors of the world's consciousness. The image captured a man, drenched in blood, bearing the gruesome wounds of bites and missing an entire arm, amidst a desolate street teeming with the lifeless. It was a visceral testament to the grim reality taking hold.

After eight days of uneasy containment, a cacophony of shots and explosions pierced the exclusion zone's perimeter. The noise served as a grisly symphony, luring the infected like moths to a flame. The once-unyielding blockade began to crumble, as hundreds, perhaps thousands, of the afflicted broke through its fragile defenses. Within a mere fortnight, the contagion traced its malevolent path from Manchester to the heart of London, leaving a macabre trail of death in its wake. The streets became charnel houses, choked with the lifeless and echoing with the anguished cries of the survivors. Then, an insidious twist unfurled its tendrils upon the beleaguered land. People began manifesting symptoms of the infection without any discernible contact with the infected. It was a chilling revelation, an enigma that defied explanation.

The Blight, as it came to be known, erupted with a ferocity that defied containment. The fabric of society unraveled, and the contagion leaped beyond the island's shores as if riding the winds of chaos itself. Europe, Asia, and Africa fell under its dark shadow, despite the WHO's desperate lockdown on international flights, casting the world into a vortex of despair and uncertainty.

Amidst the chaos and uncertainty, the rift between the Prepper and the Ravens of Dee deepened. While the scientists of the Ravens believed that the Black Angels, a mysterious and powerful force, would emerge to save the world, the Prepper held a contrasting belief. He was convinced that Dee's prophecy foretold something far more ominous, something that would challenge the very essence of humanity. As the city of London crumbled and survivors struggled to adapt to this new and nightmarish reality, the Prepper, the Ravens of Dee, and the mysterious Black Prophecy became intertwined in a desperate race against time. Their differing interpretations of Dee's enigmatic words would shape their actions, alliances, and ultimately, the fate of a world teetering on the precipice of annihilation.

How long will you survive the apocalypse?

King of the Zombies
King of the Zombies is an asymmetrical multiplayer game mode where four players take on the roles of " Survivors," while the fifth player assumes the critical role of the " Director." The gameplay revolves around completing tasks and surviving zombie attacks, but it also introduces a captivating twist of strategy and manipulation.

The Survivors must band together to escape a series of maps within a set time limit. They are assigned various tasks and objectives, which vary from map to map to enhance replayability. These tasks often involve collecting items, repairing mechanisms, or reaching specific locations. The ultimate goal is to escape the map alive, but the journey is fraught with peril. Each Survivor begins with one virucide shot, a potent weapon to eliminate zombies. These shots are limited, but additional ammo, weapons, medical supplies, and other equipment can be found scattered throughout the map. When Survivors sustain excessive damage, they enter a downed state. Teammates can revive them if they reach the injured Survivor in time. Failing to do so results in a respawn, costing valuable time. However, if a Survivor succumbs to infection from a zombie bite or contaminated water, they will respawn as a zombie instead. Survivors accumulate "Gifts" as they eliminate infected units, with automated turret kills also contributing. These Gifts are essentially rewards that can be exchanged for useful items, such as recovery items or better weapons, enhancing the Survivors' chances of survival.

The Director assumes a commanding role, manipulating the game environment and controlling the undead horde to thwart the Survivors' escape. The Director views the Survivors' actions through a minimap and security cameras placed strategically across the map. This vantage point offers insight into the Survivors' progress and enables the Director to plan their actions. The Director can impede the Survivors' advancement by locking doors, placing traps, and strategically summoning zombies and other creatures. This creates challenging obstacles and adds an element of unpredictability. To perform any of these aforementioned actions, the Director relies on the "Mutagen" system, a resource that regenerates over time. Mutagen is used to spawn new creatures, deploy traps, or arm security cameras with manually controlled guns or automated turrets, amplifying the Director's toolkit for hindering the Survivors.

As the Director spawns more infected units and hinders the Survivors, they can level up. Upon leveling up, the Director gains access to a selection of three random upgrades, which can range from enhancing zombie abilities to unlocking unique environmental hazards, creating a dynamic and evolving experience for both the Director and Survivors.

Outbreak
In Outbreak, survivors must work together to safeguard designated sectors within the level, fending off successive waves of encroaching zombies. With each new wave, the undead hordes increase in size and ferocity. To emerge victorious, they must maintain the health of these sectors, staving off the relentless onslaught until the arrival of a rescue vehicle. Each sector has its own health percentage, which is depleted if it becomes overrun by zombies. If all sectors reach zero health, the rescue vehicle refuses to arrive, and the players lose the match.

To aid their fight, players may find supplies airdropped from a military helicopter, providing crucial resources including weapons, ammo, and ammunition. These supplies become essential for their survival and the fortification of sectors. After a specific number of waves (varies by map), players can also access upgrade stations to enhance their arsenal and abilities using the money earned by slaughtering zombies. These upgrades include improvements to weapons, damage resistances, movement speed modifications, and enhanced health regeneration. These upgrades persist for the duration of the game or until players choose to reset their abilities at another upgrade station. Survivors can also earn respawn tokens by killing zombies, typically receiving one for every 20 zombies defeated (10 in Chicken mode). These tokens allow a player to respawn after death. If players run out of respawn tokens and die, they must wait until the current wave is cleared to return to the action. In Chicken mode, a player without any remaining tokens can rejoin the game after a 30-second delay.

The ultimate objective for survivors is to reach the final wave and prepare for an extraction event. Successfully surviving until the extraction event occurs signifies victory in the game. However, if all survivors perish without any respawn tokens left, the game is lost.

Infestation
At the start of the round, players have the choice to either join the Survivor team or volunteer to be "Patient Zero," the first zombie, at the beginning of a round. In the absence of volunteers, the game randomly selects one survivor to kick off the round. The objective for Patient Zero is simple: infect and eliminate all human survivors, one by one.

On the survivor side, the goal is equally straightforward: stay alive for as long as possible, complete designated objectives, or potentially wipe out all the zombies. However, they face the added pressure of not knowing who among them has turned into an undead threat. When a survivor meets their unfortunate demise, they instantly join the ranks of the undead. The living survivors cannot discern which players on the list are still human and who has become an undead adversary. This suspense adds a layer of tension and suspicion to the gameplay. Survivors must collaborate, gather resources, and fortify their positions to fend off the zombie onslaught. The absence of clear knowledge about who is still on their side necessitates constant vigilance and smart decision-making. Communication and teamwork are crucial for the survivor team's success. They must strategize, watch each other's backs, and decide when to take calculated risks.

In a survival round, the zombie team has a finite number of reinforcements (lives). Each time a zombie is killed, the team loses one life from their counter. Surprisingly, when a survivor meets their doom, they gain one additional life for the zombie team. This dynamic creates a delicate balance between the survivor and zombie sides. The round concludes when the zombie team exhausts all of their lives, resulting in a victory for the remaining survivors who must eliminate the last few undead threats.

Some rounds are also objective-based. In these scenarios, the zombie team benefits from an unlimited number of lives, making it even more challenging for the survivor team. Survivors must work together to complete various map-based objectives, such as securing critical supplies, repairing communication systems, fueling a vehicle, or clearing out infected areas. Achieving these objectives is the only path to victory for the human side.

Quarantine
In Quarantine, players are pitted against each other in a brutal free-for-all contest, but they're far from alone in the fight. As they battle one another for supremacy, the game's environment is teeming with AI-controlled zombies, creating a relentless and ever-evolving hazard. The presence of these undead hordes adds an intense layer of unpredictability and chaos, ensuring that players must remain vigilant not only of their human foes but also of the ravenous horde.

A unique feature of this game mode is the way player elimination is handled. When a player is killed by another participant, they don't exit the game or spectate; instead, they undergo a sinister transformation. The defeated player respawns as a member of the undead, joining the AI-controlled zombie ranks. As a newly risen zombie, players have a new role to fulfill - seeking revenge against the living. They can use their various abilities and mutations to unleash relentless assaults on the surviving players, creating an intriguing dynamic where former competitors now collaborate against the uninfected. The ultimate goal in Termination Mode is simple yet adrenaline-inducing: be the last living player. With every elimination, the player pool of survivors dwindles, and the tension mounts. The surviving participants must utilize their wits, weapons, and tactical acumen to fend off both the undead and their fellow players, inching closer to victory with each vanquished opponent.

The presence of AI-controlled zombies creates an ever-evolving battlefield. Players must be strategic in choosing when and where to engage their human adversaries, all while considering the looming undead threat. These zombies can be used as an environmental weapon, directed toward rival players, or lured into strategic traps. As the game progresses and the player count dwindles, strategic alliances and betrayals become integral elements of Termination Mode. Temporary partnerships may form to eliminate common threats, only to disintegrate into chaos as players compete for the title of the last living survivor.

Time Trial
The objective of the Time Trial mode is to amass as many points as possible by eliminating enemies before the evacuation chopper arrives within a specified time limit. As you venture into the apocalyptic streets of London, your goal is to eliminate zombies swiftly and efficiently to earn money.

Each regular infected vanquished awards you a specific amount of money, taking out the special infected grants you even more money, and confronting the formidable boss infected (also known as Apex Predators) unique to each stage can yield substantial point bonuses, ranging in the thousands. To maximize their accumulated money, players must focus on executing enemies consecutively, triggering exhilarating combo sequences that award significantly more money.

Achieving consecutive enemy eliminations forms the backbone of the Time Trial mode's scoring mechanism. The faster you dispatch zombies in succession, the more money you accrue. The combo system encourages players to strategize and maintain their momentum by chaining eliminations together, ultimately pushing their score multiplier. Skillful weapon selection and well-timed tactics are crucial for securing the most lucrative combos. In the intense race against the clock, players can seize several clocks scattered throughout the level. These bonuses grant valuable additional seconds to the countdown, extending the available time for racking up points. Players must keep an eye out for these bonuses, strategically choosing when to collect them to optimize their playtime. The tension in the Time Trial mode escalates as the looming presence of the evacuation chopper grows nearer with each passing second. It's a race against time, and players must effectively balance speed and precision to ensure they earn sufficient money before the chopper's arrival.

Trivia

 * Originally, the title for the ZombiU remake was going to be ZombiSWITCH, as it was ported for the Nintendo Switch.