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Since the game comes out today, I'm sort of surprised to see no thread about it.

Now, I know that it won't be triple-a material, but it still looks like exactly the kind of zombie game I've always wanted (minus the cringe-worthy dialogue and a few other elements). The gameplay and RPG elements look pretty fantastic, even if it's been reviewed as a bit cheesier than everyone was hoping for and a little rough around the edges in it's presentation. I should be picking it up in about five hours, and I will be able to comment more about it then.

I'm picking it up for the PC, and I was hoping to find a few other people I could play with from release, since it looks so much better in co-op (and you have to be roughly the same level and at the same place in the story to play online). Let me know if this was a pre-order for you as well.

I will be picking it up soon. I don't get paid till the 15th and I am still playing Deus Ex. From what I have seen so far, it looks very promising.

Getting it for PS3 on Friday (our official release in UK). Looking forward to it, very impatient.

Apparently Steam users got bit, as the version they preloaded was an unfinished developer one.

Go read the Steam forums. LOL

I rented it today. It's quite nice so far. One thing that really really bugs me though is the animations. They don't look right. It's noticeable and i normally don't notice that kind of thing. Other then that, it's quite nice so far.

Needs split screen multiplayer.

Unfortunately, everyone who purchased the PC of the game got shafted, since it downloads from Steam even when you own a retail copy. I'm getting a lot of crashes to desktop, which is starting to annoy me (I'm generally forgiving with bugs, but most of the bugs I've found are game-breaking).

Otherwise, the game so far is brilliant. The trailers really don't do it justice. It has some of the most immersive gameplay I've ever experienced. Everything feels like you're actually in your character's shoes. The combat has a really desperate, realistic feel to it, and you see yourself performing every action exactly as you should (it actually reminds me of a melee-focused Far Cry in that respect). The carnage has a ton of little details, such as breakable limbs (with a nice, intuitive limb targeting feature that never really holds your hand) and environmental damage (I once hit a zombie with a sledgehammer, and he flew up into the air, landed on his neck, and broke it), and everything about it is extremely convincing. It's easily the best first-person melee combat I've ever seen, and the pace is constantly varied by the numerous enemy types.

For the first time, I actually feel like I'm surviving a zombie outbreak, instead of mindlessly popping off headshots or using the same attack over and over like some sort of arcade game. Managing your weapons and stamina is much less intrusive than, say, Fallout 3, and the loot system is a great touch that really feels like it belongs in such a game. The experience system rewards you in interesting ways, and keeps you absolutely glued to the game.

The storyline (and voice acting) isn't quite as bad as I thought it would be. It's on par with most zombie movies out there, and the unique, well-realized setting really adds to the flavor of the game. I was afraid that it might be made less serious by the RPG and weapon crafting elements, but I was wrong. There are plenty of intense moments, both arising from scripted and carefully placed zombie attacks, and from the excellently paced combat. The level design is wonderful, and you see a lot of little details that tell their own story in a split second. Some of the side quests are a little underdeveloped, but they often include interesting characters and objectives.

The sound design is pretty much perfect. The graphics are great because of a realistic sense of decay (you'll see every weapon gradually break, or the limb of a zombie crack as you hit it, which makes everything that much more convincing). They're also really consistent, and the world design is extremely varied and always interesting.

There are a few questionable elements (running into a scripted zombie event again kills all of the tension, seeing so many energy drinks lying around is a little strange, etc.), but overall, this is the quintessential zombie game that belongs in anyone's collection. I don't think I'll ever feel the need to play any other title with the same subject matter again. This is, quite literally, the zombie game I've always wanted.

Now I just have to wait for them to give me the correct version of the game. As is, I can't even use my pre-order weapon.

Chrysaor686 wrote:
seeing so many energy drinks lying around is a little strange

Hey now, those things are everywhere now. Damn kids always wanting at least five to get out of bed, another five to get to the bus, another eighteen just to get off the bus again.

Makes you sick it does.

I got the PC version from the store today, I can't wait until it's Friday.