Game Reviews

Dead Effect 2 - Not quite the effect it was looking for

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Dead Effect 2 - Not quite the effect it was looking for
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| Dead Effect 2
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That looks like a dank futuristic corridor full of sadness

That's because it is. This is Dead Effect 2, the sequel to the Bronze Award-winning space-based zombie killer. It's still set in space, it's still about killing zombies, and it still borrows ideas heavily from the spooky intergalactic canon.

The spooky intergalactic cannon? Sounds dangerous

No.. that's... Never mind. The game doesn't really do much different from its predecessor. You're stomping around the fizzing innards of a spaceship that's gone all wrong, shooting abominations with a variety of weapons and special powers.

It sounds pretty exciting

It is pretty exciting. There's always a horde of shambling undead scientists around the next corner, or some weird skittering monster demon things ready to jump out at you from behind a space tree. Yes, the game has space trees.

Space trees? Wow. What else does it have?

There's a story that follows on from the original. It's all about clones and mad scientists, and some technology that stopped death. You'll shoot zombie robot dogs in the head as well. There's also as least one zombie in it called a Nasty Zombie, which really made me laugh for some reason.

What are the controls like?

They're not too bad. The default system sees you firing automatically when your reticle rests on something that you're meant to kill. One stick controls your movement, and you swipe on the screen to look around. I've played it with a joypad and, unsurprisingly, it's a much sharper game. But on the touchscreen it's just about adequate.

Just about adequate isn't the most inspiring phrase

No, it's not. But Dead Effect 2 isn't the most inspiring game. In fact in places it's actually pretty offensive. One of the first characters you meet goes by the name Minikin. You thaw him out from cryo sleep, and the process leaves him brain damaged. After that you call him a "retard" several times. As well as bullying him for being overweight.

Well that's just icky

Yup, and it sours the experience. It's not well written, there are plenty of spelling and grammar errors, and while the graphics are pretty darn impressive, there are some rough edges elsewhere, particularly with fonts and menus, that grate a little.

Hmmmm, I'm not liking the sound of this

Well, it's pretty distasteful, yeah. But the game underneath the gumph is pretty solid. Solid in the same way that a dining chair is solid. You might sit on it a while and enjoy it, but after a few hours you'll probably want to go and sit on the sofa.

That was a really strained analogy

Hey, I'm busy and my head hurts. In all seriousness though, Dead Effect 2 isn't a bad game. It has some bad aspects, but the core loop of shooting zombies in the face is as much fun as it ever was. The shift to free to play hasn't damaged it too much, although there's a decent chunk of grind if you don't want to pay.

So I should still download it?

I'd say give it a go. Its more unpleasant aspects are pretty unpleasant, and if they're going to upset you then you should avoid it. But it looks pretty good, and if you haven't shot enough zombies to last you a lifetime yet, there's plenty here to fill full of space bullets.

Dead Effect 2 - Not quite the effect it was looking for

Dead Effect 2 is more of the same, but if that's what you're after, and you can look past its ickier traits, you'll enjoy it
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Harry Slater
Harry Slater
Harry used to be really good at Snake on the Nokia 5110. Apparently though, digital snake wrangling isn't a proper job, so now he writes words about games instead.