Zombie Driver
| Zombie Driver | |
|---|---|
 Zombie Driver Logo | |
| Developer(s) | Exor Studios |
| Publisher(s) | Exor Studios |
| Distributor(s) | Steam, GamersGate and Akella |
| Engine |
Ogre3D PhysX |
| Platform(s) |
Microsoft Windows PlayStation 3 Xbox 360 Android (Tegra based devices), Ouya, Xbox One |
| Release date(s) | December 4, 2009 |
| Genre(s) | Vehicular combat |
| Mode(s) | Single-player |
Zombie Driver is a vehicular combat PC video game. Set in a zombie apocalypse setting, a chemical accident / secret government project has turned the inhabitants of an entire city into shambling, aggressive opponents. The player must undertake various missions to rescue stranded civilians, slaughter zombies and unlock/upgrade various cars.
It was later re-released as Zombie Driver HD on the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and Ouya game consoles and Steam, and on Xbox One as Zombie Driver Ultimate Edition.
Gameplay
Zombie Driver is presented in a top-down perspective, similar to games such as Grand Theft Auto 2. The player controls one of eight vehicles. Each vehicle behaves in the same fashion with regards to steering, movement, and weapons, but has different properties regarding acceleration, top speed, momentum, manoeuvrability, passenger capacity, and resistance to damage. Vehicles can be outfitted with a variety of weapons or equipment, ranging from machine guns to nitro boost, which are available in the world as pickups. Only one weapon/equipment can be equipped at a time, with new pickups completely replacing the previous weapon/equipment. Ammo capacity varies by weapon but is not affected by the vehicle driven.
The game takes place in varying areas of a single, unnamed city besieged by a zombie outbreak. Zombies are uniformly hostile towards the player and will attack and damage their vehicle using a variety of attacks depending on the specific zombie type. Zombies can be destroyed by driving into them with the player vehicle, by using acquired weaponry, or by using certain limited in-game hazards such as fires or explosives. Running into zombies will slow the vehicle down, the actual amount depends on the ramming power of the vehicle.
The objective of each level is to navigate the vehicle through the confines of the city while completing missions. Missions typically consist of clearing certain areas of zombies or rescuing survivors from specific locations; all zombies in the immediate area must be eliminated, after which the player can stop their vehicle and pick up survivors. Survivors may then be returned to the main safehouse or can remain in the vehicle while the player completes other objectives. The number of survivors, both in one location or throughout the level, may require multiple trips to rescue depending on the vehicle chosen for the mission.
Each level has a number of mandatory objectives, and typically at least one optional objective. Optional objectives yield greater point and money awards for the level if completed, and may also unlock additional weapons or vehicles. Objectives are time-sensitive and can be failed if not completed quickly. Once all required objectives have been completed the player can return to base in order to progress to the next level.
Between each level the player is given the opportunity to purchase upgrades. Upgrades exist for either weapons or vehicles; vehicle upgrades are for speed, armor, and momentum statistics and stay with the vehicle. Weapon upgrades are specific to each weapon type and apply to all copies of that weapon, regardless of vehicle. Money for these purchases is either found in-game as a pickup or awarded on completion of a level based on the player's performance.
Development
After the release of the game Exor Studios provided regular patches and updates to the game. As of December 2012 the latest version is 1.2.6, and available from the official website. A mod, titled "Darkness Mod" is also available from the official website. This mod lets the players play the game in darkness with the only lighting from the vehicle headlights.