More Articles on Stubbs the Zombie in Rebel without a Pulse
Stubbs the Zombie in Rebel Without a PulseStubbs the Zombie in Rebel Without a Pulse - Hands OnStubbs the Zombie in "Rebel without a Pulse" Q&AStubbs Possesses THQStubbs the Zombie Video MontageLatest Mini Previews
Street Fighter IV - Hands OnSpider-Man: Web of Shadows - Hands OnFamily Trainer - First Lookde Blob - Hands OnGC08 - Resident Evil 5 Hands OnUser Reviews
There are currently 0 User Reviews for Stubbs the Zombie in Rebel without a PulseWrite your own review for this game today and you will receive 100 Gamer Points.
Click here to register
Stubbs the Zombie in Rebel Without a Pulse - Hands On Mini Preview
Chris Leyton
17/01/2006
Be the zombie in Wideload Games witty take on the traditions...
"We wanted to make a funny action game," claimed Wide Load Games Lead Writer Matt Soell, when TVG talked to the developers behind Stubbs the Zombie in Rebel Without a Pulse earlier in the year. There's a lot to get excited about when it comes to this game; the first from a team comprising former Bungie members; one of a few titles to be based around the Halo engine and it's got zombies in... what more could anybody want? Although Capcom may have given up on zombies with the epoch-making release of Resident Evil 4, Stubbs has its roots placed firmly in the world of the rotting flesh, however with a novel twist as Soell points out, "the zombie game where YOU play the zombie."
Set in the idealistic city of Punchbowl, Stubbs the Zombie captures the style and essence of the quintessential 1950's America fused with Sci-Fi influences; guide bots welcome you to the city whilst police hover cars patrol the streets, barbershop quartets bellow out the classics along with scientists packing ray-guns - a perfect place for Stubbs to rip up the turf and rampage the streets.
Taking control of Stubbs players are presented with a tutorial that provides a backdrop on the various skills Stubbs possesses, however anybody who's ever played a third-person title will know immediately what to expect. Combat looks to be a routine run-of-the-mill affair with basic punches coordinating with the chance to gnaw on an unsuspecting victim's bonce, turning one-time opponents into lurching allies. Initially the chance to build a legion of undead allies behind Stubbs provides a lot of entertainment, however whether or not the shallow combat system will grate after time remains questionable. Possessing other citizens isn't the only feather in Stubb's cap, who quickly (but without reason) learns the ability to stun his opponents with deadly gas; removes one of his organs from the gaping hole in his stomach to use as a makeshift grenade; rips his arm off which can then be controlled remotely to take direct control over Punchbowl's cops and citizens (the only way you'll shoot a gun) and finally twist his head off to use as an explosive bowling ball.
Throughout the game the likenesses to Halo are immediately apparent whether it's taking control of Sod-O-Mobile's that control just like Warthogs (and can be flipped to boot) or two-player co-op transporting players to certain locations when they reach a checkpoint or having to wait to respawn until the area is safe.
Humour and a sense of style play a large role within the game, from scratches and lines across the screen to portray that 1950's feeling to a crazed Confederate redneck with a vendetta against poor old Stubbs. Despite its tongue being firmly embedded within its cheek Stubbs can be a brutal game. "There are definitely shocking and outrageous things in the game, but they're there for amusement value," claimed Soell, particularly so when a pack of zombies encircle a group of Punchbowl citizens and the anguished screams ensue whilst the blood splatters gratuitously or zombies with no limbs shuffle around the pavements relentlessly pursuing the nearest brain donor - somehow Wideload have struck a balance between gore and comedy to close perfection.
The chance to take control of the zombie combined with Stubb's unique style and humour is initially appealing, however whether the game's lifetime continues or suffers a similar problem to Pandemic's Destory All Humans remains to be seen, as the shallow combat does seem to grow repetitive far too quickly.
TVG will have a review of the final European version soon...
