Zombies are a classic example of a destructive force threatening mankind’s very existence. Traditionally, one has brains while the other wants to eat them, but regardless of what sparks the conflict between them, reconciliation is usually pushed aside in favor of more violent solutions.
Where most video games give you tools of violence and tell you to go wild, Welcome to Paradize, an action-RPG published by Nacon and developed by Eko Software, takes a slightly different approach by asking one important question: what if you could make zombies fight for you?
A Zombot's Paradize
In Welcome to Paradize, you assume the role of a survivor who reaches the eponymous sanctuary, initially portrayed as a haven for humanity’s remnants. However, upon arrival, you find it overrun with zombies that are extremely hostile towards you.
Although survival is high on the priority list, the title is, at its core, a story-driven action RPG focused on exploration and fighting large numbers of zombies.
For the latter, you can use a vast array of makeshift weaponry crafted out of what you find as you venture across the world. Although you may start with just a humble stick, upgrading your weapons and ammo lets you eventually send zombies to the grave using the likes of electrified bats or mythical air pistols.
Progression in the game is monitored through three distinct skill trees, each enhancing different aspects of your character’s capabilities. For those struggling with survival, one tree boosts resilience and health, while also enhancing your capacity to carry heavier loads, increasing your running speed, and providing resistance to extreme temperatures. Investing points in a different tree enhances your combat efficiency, allowing you to strike faster, inflict greater damage, and gain access to advanced ammunition like penetrative bullets and explosive arrows.
The third focuses on your ability to hack zombies, making your Zombots stronger, allowing them to attack more quickly or move faster. It also unlocks the ability to chain hack, enabling your Zombots to hack and capture other zombies.
To start building your very own zombie army, you need to find materials used to create special helmets. With the not-so-stylish headwear on hand, you have to find zombies, knock them down, and then swiftly place the helmets on their heads. Pull it off and you’ll secure a Zombot that’s ready to be controlled and programmed.
In their default stance, Zombots aren’t particularly exciting, which sounds very in-character. Luckily, you can assign them different tasks and roles, turning them into useful servants instead.
If your legs are a bit tired, you can plop a saddle on a Zombot and ride it into battle. If you want to play the hero, tell them to hang back and focus on healing you when you’re low on life.
One available module allows Zombots to drop mines, which you can use defensively and offensively. You could also take the equally reasonable avenue of giving them guns.
Controlling zombies and turning them into “obedient robots,” as Product Manager Emeric Fouqué described them during a recent preview session we attended, sounds like a simple but effective twist. More importantly, it doesn’t rob you of the pleasure of making the formerly alive understand that you’re not that keen on joining their ranks through the use of various deadly weapons.
Welcome to Paradize sees you starting with just a small number of Zombots. They need Energy to function and your backpack can only spare so much. This is why you’ll also want to build static Pylones that allow you to attach and control additional Zombots. By the endgame, Fouqué noted, you can build an army.
That being said, some of your Zombots can also be assigned to growing crops, collecting resources, or defending your camp.
The latter acts as a base of sorts, where you can leave valuables and items you don’t want to carry in your backpack, craft gear, cook meals, and more.
It will get attacked by the zombies who have yet to experience the blissful experience of being subservient to you, so you’ll need to fortify this space with walls as well as set up and upgrade traps.
You can tackle Welcome to Paradize both solo and online, in a party of up to 4 players. In addition, couch co-op allows you and a pal to slay zombies without risking deaths caused by latency issues. The publisher did note that, although solo play is a viable option, playing alongside other survivors can significantly dial up the fun.
According to Fouqué, most players can expect to wrap up the story in around 25 hours while completionists can look forward to up to 40 hours’ worth of playtime.
Welcome to Paradize launches on PC, Xbox Series X/S, and PS5 come February 29, 2024.
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