Zombie Soup | PS5 Review

Seems Ricky has done caught that train to Busan!!! Ricky, the hero of Astrolabe Games' latest top down twin stick shooter, definitely ended up on the wrong side of town, El Prospero Town. After a long train ride, and having missed his intended stop Ricky ends up in El Prospero, unexpectedly. A high school graduated backpacker out to see the world in the wrong place at the wrong time. 

At this current stop, a Mexican themed ghost town that harbors a dark presence, Ricky finds an adventure of a lifetime beckoning as well as a damsel in distress for the saving. The remaining residents of El Prospero each hiding inside due to a zombie outbreak brought on by an odd harbinger of death known as MC Skull. In a chance meeting with a local girl named Ashley at the initial train exit, Ricky sets off a series of events in which rescuing the survivors is his key focus. Armed with whatever weapons he finds, a sense of humor, and a liking for burritos Ricky sets forth facing the impending zombie apocalypse.

As Ricky your undead undertaking is not one without it's perks. You'll find weapons aplenty, and comically quirky characters who will aid you with lucrative objectives that will build upon your weapon classes. With Ricky comes a handful of weapon classes to choose from, and upgrade as you go along. These are weapon specific offerings that determine the current loadout that Ricky is packing. Everything from a primary gun to a secondary melee weapon, and even a grenade. 

As he progresses through El Prospero, and it's venues clearing out the decaying denizens Ricky will gain access to currency, and will in turn gain access to perk unlocks that will additionally enhance these loadouts, and their impact on the zombie culling. Buffing, in kind, the power and efficiency of each weapon, melee attack, or ability associated with the combat mechanics. Leaving purchases of alternative weapons to be an upgrade opportunity as you defeat the bosses, and reap the rewards thereof. Giving you a break every once in awhile with limited use special weapons that are also useful for quickly clearing out the rotten residents before you.

Outside of the loadouts, and perks lies a simple twin stick shooter gameplay formula in which dodging requires stamina, and maintaining health is the end all be all when it comes to avoiding an untimely demise. As you make use of guns, knives, your fists, and special weaponry you'll clear mobs, and kill bosses. Completing the occasional challenge, and making bank to upgrade your wares. 

Travel in El Prospero is no easy task given the combative corpses lurking around every corner though, but there is a method not unlike the Dark Souls campfire in which you can rest, recover health, save progress, and spend coin for access to a more deadly arsenal. Alternatively, using said Fridge terminal as a fast travel between Fridges for backtracking sake. Half the battle is finding key collectibles that certain characters are looking for in exchange for special rewards, or to get past gated access. That, and facing star rated challenges against spawning waves of the living dead. Should you be seeking a more challenging challenge you can even try to beat your best times in boss battles for record sake.

Combat prowess is king in this twin stick shooter, and dealing death to the dead only difficult if you don't tread carefully. There are traps, pitfalls, and perilous puzzles lying in wait as you face off against the fiendish ghouls of El Prospero Town. Thankfully Ricky is up for the job if you are. Expect wacky hijinks, and comedic character conversations as Ricky and the survivors try to make it out of town with their brains intact.

The Verdict ...

Dare I say it, but "Zombie Soup" is a sleeper hit I've not seen many bigger outlets cover. While it's not the most AAA looking game to date the gameplay, and storytelling makes for a good reason to buy in, regardless. Gameplay itself is fluid, and responsive. It is smooth, and allows for a more precision based approach to combat. This truly shows through in the more challenging boss fights. 

Moreover, "Zombie Soup" pays homage to a lot of entertainment greats with nods to certain apocalyptic films or games. It's got a hint of "Zombies at My Neighbors" in it as well as bit of SUDA51 craziness. It even pokes fun at apocalyptic cliches as I pointed out at the start with my Train to Busan reference. I personally fell in love with it, and enjoyed it. It's a lighthearted game, that while zombie inclusive, gives the gamer something to smile about in this truly dark an abysmal world we are living in. It's nice to escape the thought of such a real world apocalypse by playing a game about an apocalypse.