DeadBlock Review
Dead block is a 3rd person tactical defence zombie themed game based on a tv series set in the 50’s rock n roll era. Zombies are sweeping the nation because the evil Rock n Roll music woke them from the dead and they are not happy.
You to take control of 1 of 3 characters who all have the standard wood blockade ability but also have other ways of dealing with the undead. Jack Foster (Construction worker) who’s melee weapon is an axe specialises in barricades that slow down the zombies, Mike Bacon (Boy Scout) carries a frying pan and specialises in scavenging for parts and upgrades and has the ability to distract zombies and Foxy Jones (Meter Maid) carries a truncheon and specialises in no nonsense killing using brutal door and window traps.
All three of the characters have a unique ability called “"Smart Bomb"”. The smart bomb is in fact not a bomb, Jack has a nail gun that slows and sometimes kills zombies, Mike has a burger that he throws which distracts zombies and Foxy has a tazer that fries them to death. The smart bomb has unlimited ammo but between each use is a cool down period. All of the barricades, melee weapons and smart bombs can be upgraded whilst you (or if they are with you your buddies) are searching rooms. The melee weapons are more for destroying furniture and controlling zombie damage than a zombie killer.
There are 10 levels in total of which I was only able to play 4 due to freezing issues. In order to finish each level you are required to complete a main objective that involves you either collecting a guitar, Guitar amp and a speaker which you then go and play in a certain room of the level using your controller face buttons, this causes the zombies to dance to their death. The other objective was to kill a certain amount of zombies and then activate the “zombie –Omatic which finishes the remainder off by frying them with electricity. Whilst looking for the guitar parts and through your journey of trying to kill zombies you will need to smash furniture to gain wood for used to block windows and doors and search for bolts which you can use to create unique character specific blockades.
Yes the zombies are slow but there are various types and some are real tough and can cause a lot of damage to you. The AI is great and knows exactly what to do so if you find yourself hurt you can always go to a soda machine and grab a drink which regenerates your health.
There are other ways of dealing with zombies in each level and they 're great. There is a juke box which you turn on which then plays a rock n roll song that sounds like a bad Elvis Presley impersonator and this cause the zombies to dance to death. Then there is the heater where you place meat and this attracts zombies leading them into becoming a burnt piece of dust. These are great and add to the already comical game.
Although you complete some levels alone sometimes you have 1 or both companions and they can be more of a distraction than a help. They never follow you into the different rooms meaning I had to constantly switch between each character so that I was able to put them where they were needed.
Dead block would have been great as an online co op multiplayer game but sadly the co op is local only. If you have three friends I ‘am sure that you will have a blast but nowadays with the huge amount of online gamers I was surprised to see that it went no further than this.
I enjoyed what I was able to play and I ‘'am sure the rest would have been great, but because of the minor bothers and game breaking bug I give this game
7/10
Review By Wicket2961
