Discovering fresh perspectives within any genre can be a breath of fresh air, and “UNDYING” from Skytone Games and Vanimals does exactly that for zombie lovers. Allow me to walk you through this riveting experience!
Picture this: You’re Anling, navigating life amidst chaos during a relentless zombie outbreak. Although the outbreak began a mere four months ago, it feels infinitely longer. The military did what they could, transforming subway stations into makeshift refugee camps. The plan? Evacuate one camp at a time, whisking everyone away from the threat. But, of course, chaos loves company, and not everything went smoothly. In a heart-stopping moment, as it was your group’s turn, the roof gave way under the hordes of undead trying to push their way in.
Faced with this perilous new reality, Anling’s mission becomes crystal clear: protect her young son, Cody. But there’s a catch—Anling’s been bitten! With her time ticking away, she must teach Cody how to fend for himself in this dangerous world. First stop: scavenge their home for resources to bolster their chance of survival.
The game serves up a solid survival experience, with difficulty settings to match your nerve: Tranquil, Adventure, and Fierce. Choose Tranquil for a slower-paced, less intense survival odyssey. Opt for Adventure, and you’ll find yourself a bit more on edge, juggling limited resources. But if it’s an adrenaline rush you seek, Fierce will keep you on your toes, challenging you at every corner. As you play, you’re left pondering: Can you outlast this unforgiving world?
Controlling Anling is intuitive—use the left analog stick to guide her, with Cody loyally tagging along. Stealth mode is just a button press away, and you can choose who grabs items. Anling can fight; however, as a player, that urgent bond with Cody also plays out in the control scheme, letting you guide him when solitude necessitates.
Monitoring their vitals is crucial. Both Anling and Cody’s health stats—spanning from physical wellbeing to combat abilities—serve as a litmus test for survival tactics. Always keep an eye on Anling’s symptoms of the looming transformation, adjusting strategies around any debilitating effects.
While scavenging is key, so is enhancing your gear and skills. Maximizing your inventory with backpack upgrades can be life-saving, literally offering you precious seconds with enhanced speed during frantic escapes. Teaching Cody the ropes becomes the game within the game. Gain experience points to unlock new skills in crafting, survival, and combat. Each advancement means a better-prepared Cody, whether he’s rummaging for useful items or learning to fend off threats.
I’ve walked you through this exhilarating experience, but playing UNDYING offers unmatched emotional engagement as you embody a mother’s fierce need to secure her child’s future even at the expense of her own.
This gripping survival game is yours to explore for $19.99 on the Nintendo Switch. The query remains: Do you truly have what it takes to equip Cody for the horrors of a zombie-filled world?
Note: This review was developed from a Nintendo Switch copy provided by Skystone Games.
