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 2023, the grim backdrop of ZombiU unfurls in a nightmarish city of London, an intricately reimagined urban landscape overrun by a zombie apocalypse. The enhanced visuals and meticulous design breathe life into this nightmarish world, crafting a profoundly immersive and realistic experience. In this version, the setting undergoes a remarkable transformation, transcending its predecessor's confined spaces to embrace the vastness of an open-world rendition of post-apocalyptic London. Diverging from its predecessor, this iteration introduces a seamless fusion of open-world exploration and RPG elements into its gripping survival horror framework, offering players an unparalleled immersion into the decaying heart of the city.

Unlike the original ZombiU, where gameplay was predominantly confined to tight quarters and linear paths, the remake opens up an expansive, interconnected map of London from the get-go. Traveling through this sprawling dystopia, you have the freedom to explore by foot or even by vehicle (either by using a car or through the underground subway system), navigating the treacherous streets and alleyways, all while facing the ever-present threat of the undead. This open-world design encourages exploration and freedom like never before. Whether you choose to navigate on foot or by vehicle, you'll have the entire city at your disposal. Roaming the desolate streets, you'll encounter not only the relentless undead but also iconic locations modeled after real-life landmarks of the United Kingdom. Whether you're creeping through a twisted version of Trafalgar Square, navigating the underground labyrinth of the London Tube, or seeking refuge within the haunting confines of St. Paul's Cathedral, each locale is a haunting reflection of its real-world counterpart.

Gameplay
Staying faithful to the essence of ZombiU, the remake retains its core identity as a first-person survival horror game, enriched with elements of Metroidvania and shooter genres. Players step into the shoes of a survivor navigating a post-apocalyptic London infested with zombies. Guided by the enigmatic Prepper, they're entrusted with fortifying a safe haven, essential for enduring the ravages of this newly desolate urban landscape. Concurrently, the survivor embarks on a quest for a cure, a mission impelled by the esteemed Dr. Knight stationed at Buckingham Palace. In your quest to survive, you'll employ a variety of strategies to confront the undead threat. From firearms and melee weapons to gadgets and explosives, you have a range of tools at your disposal. There are several types of zombies, including riot zombies that are equipped with bulletproof armor and helmets, screamer zombies that can emit a loud, piercing shriek that disorients the player when caught and attract other nearby zombies, spitter zombies that can launch corrosive substances from a distance, and suicide bomber zombies that instantly explode when hit, potentially causing lethal damage to the player and nearby surroundings. As you dispatch zombies with different weapon types, you'll progressively improve your proficiency with them. However, remember that death resets these skills, requiring you to start anew. Sound plays a crucial role in survival; the noise generated by firearms can draw nearby enemies. Pushing zombies away with your weapon is possible but has limited effectiveness before they attempt to grapple and bite. A hypodermic needle in your inventory can save you from their deadly clutches. Stealth is another valuable tactic, allowing you to evade detection by lurking zombies. You'll also need to stay vigilant, as fallen zombies can still pose a threat if not dealt with promptly. Resources are scarce, and players must scavenge for food, medical supplies, and ammunition. Different areas yield different types of resources, encouraging exploration and strategic resource management.

In the remake, your character's job takes on a much more significant role compared to its predecessor. Rather than merely serving as a backstory element, your chosen profession now directly influences your character's skills, abilities, and overall gameplay experience. Each job comes with a distinct set of skills and abilities that align with the professional expertise of that occupation. For instance, a former police officer may excel in firearms proficiency and combat tactics, while a scientist may possess advanced knowledge in crafting and medical procedures. As your character progresses, they can earn and unlock perks based on their job. These perks provide unique advantages and bonuses, further enhancing their effectiveness in specific aspects of survival. For example, a firefighter might gain a perk that grants resistance to fire damage, or a chef might have improved cooking and food preservation skills. Players have the opportunity to customize their character's appearance, allowing for a more personalized and immersive experience. This customization extends beyond just aesthetics, as it may also influence certain gameplay elements. For example, choosing a stealthier outfit might provide a slight advantage in avoiding detection from zombies. Certain jobs grant access to exclusive abilities that can be crucial for survival. For instance, a paramedic may have the ability to craft potent medical items or revive fallen companions, while an engineer might excel in fortifying the safe house or creating improvised traps. As you navigate the treacherous streets of the zombie-infested London, your character's skills will develop over time based on their job-related activities. For example, a journalist may gain proficiency in gathering information and uncovering hidden secrets, while a mechanic might become adept at repairing and modifying weapons. Choosing a job becomes a strategic decision, as it directly impacts your character's strengths and weaknesses.

The infected horde in ZombiU exhibit more sophisticated and unpredictable AI, with varying behavior patterns and levels of aggression depending on the day-night cycle. During daylight hours, some zombies may be less aggressive and move sluggishly, while others might be more active and persistent. This dynamic change in behavior adds a strategic element to gameplay, as players must adapt their tactics accordingly. Some infected may exhibit pack mentality, traveling and hunting in groups. These packs can be more coordinated and pose a greater threat when encountered together. On the other hand, some infected individuals may display erratic and unpredictable movement and attack patterns. These zombies may zigzag, change direction suddenly, or hide in the shadows, making them more challenging to predict and evade. In an unsettling twist, some infected may continue to move and attack even after severe head trauma. Certain zombies may alsopossess heightened senses, making them more responsive to visual and auditory cues. They might detect movement from a greater distance or react more swiftly to sounds like footsteps or gunfire.

Exploration is paramount, unveiling hidden beds that serve as save points and routes guiding players back to their sanctuaries. Scouring areas and fallen foes yields vital resources, including weapons, ammunition, and rare items. The accumulation of these items unlocks previously inaccessible zones, stored either in the player's inventory or within a cache at the safe house. The game incorporates intricate environmental puzzles that require players to think critically and solve challenges to progress. These puzzles add variety to gameplay and test players' problem-solving skills. ZombiU eschews conventional checkpoints in favor of emphasizing survival's imperativeness. Given that a single bite proves fatal, the developers aim to instill a profound sense of the survivor's worth, discouraging recklessness in favor of a more calculated approach.The game ditches traditional checkpoints in favor of fostering a sense of character preservation. Given that a single zombie bite spells doom, the developers aim to instill a heightened appreciation for the value of each survivor's life, discouraging reckless behavior. Aside fromthat, the game also introduces a sophisticated dynamic weather system and day-night cycle, adding layers of realism and complexity to the survival experience. For instance, rainfall dampens ambient sound and muffles footsteps, making it easier for players to move stealthily without alerting nearby zombies, while nighttime brings heightened danger and increased zombie activity.

Death in the game returns your character to the safe house but doesn't erase objective progress or accomplishments like unlocked doors. While there are no conventional checkpoints, special beds scattered across the game allow you to save your progress. Fortunately, weapon upgrades persist after death. The only setbacks are the loss of equipment, weapons, food, and other inventory items, underscoring the importance of utilizing the safe house's chest. Retrieving lost equipment requires venturing back to the location where your previous survivor met their demise and eliminating and looting the Infected. However, Infected survivors can migrate across game instances, emphasizing the urgency of reclamation before it's too late, as everything can be lost if not swiftly recovered.

One of the new features introduced in the remake is an infection status meter similar to that of No More Room in Hell. When bitten or exposed to hazardous environments, the infection meter increases. As it fills, the survivor's condition deteriorates, and they move closer to turning into a zombie. Players need to scavenge for antidotes, medical supplies, and antibiotics to manage infections. Administering these items can slow or halt the progression of infection, but resources are limited, adding a layer of tension to decisions regarding when and how to use them. If a survivor succumbs to infection, they become a zombie and remain as an obstacle within the game world. The player can choose to deal with these former allies or avoid them altogether. You must either cure the infection in time or, in the worst-case scenario, put down their infected survivor through suicide to prevent them from posing a threat to the group.

As players progress through the game, they can invest resources and effort into transforming their safe house into a more secure and functional refuge. This includes reinforcing doors and windows, installing traps, and building defensive structures like barricades, security cameras, and noise traps. These defenses help in early detection of threats and fortify the base against zombie attacks. To construct and upgrade structures, players must manage their resources effectively. This involves allocating materials strategically and making decisions based on immediate needs and long-term goals. Alternatively, players can invest in various upgrades for their safe house. These upgrades might include adding a generator for electricity, creating an infirmary for medical treatment, build research facilities to study the infection, or setting up a garden for sustainable food production. Survivors recruited during the game can be given specific roles within the safe house, such as medics, engineers, scavengers, or guards. Each role contributes unique benefits, like improved healing options, enhanced trap effectiveness, transporting items to your base, or better fortifications. As players accumulate resources and survivors, they can unlock upgrades and expansions for their safe house. These improvements might include better weapon crafting stations, expanded storage capacity, or the ability to grow food for sustenance.

Main article: ZombiU (Remake)/Jobs & Professions

Main article: ZombiU (Remake)/Perks

Main article: ZombiU (Remake)/Vehicles

Main article: ZombiU (Remake)/Safehouse Upgrades

Main article: ZombiU (Remake)/Facilities

Items
Main article: ZombiU (Remake)/Weapons & Ammo

Main article: ZombiU (Remake)/Clothing

Main article: ZombiU (Remake)/Equipment

Main article: ZombiU (Remake)/Prepper's Gadgets

Main article: ZombiU (Remake)/Food & Drinks

Main article: ZombiU (Remake)/Crafting Components

Main article: ZombiU (Remake)/Drugs & Medicine

Main article: ZombiU (Remake)/Miscellaneous Items

Storyline
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 October 2 and October 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. A single photograph, smuggled out from the heart of the Exclusion Zone (implied to be the Prepper himself), 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.

Main article: ZombiU (Remake)/Characters

Main article: ZombiU (Remake)/Locations