For a long time, the House of the Dead series has long being laughed at for its terrible story and atrocious writing, but it’s also always had the ability to laugh at itself. Nowhere is this more true than in this latest entry, The House of the Dead: Overkill, which was all but unrecognisable as an instalment in the classic arcade series. At first it’s easy to think you’ve bought the wrong game, as it begins with a video of a pole dancer brandishing a Wii remote. Let this set the tone for the rest of the game.
The only concrete connection this game has to the series (aside from the hordes of zombies out to chew on your delicate flesh) is G, now a rookie agent fresh out of AMS training. In this previously-untold story of his first assignment, G is partnered with detective Isaac Washington, the most hilarious stereotype you’ll ever see, to find out why the undead have surfaced in a New Orleans-inspired city, and of course to put them back in the grave.
So far, so standard for the series, but what makes this iteration so special is its aesthetics. With stylings inspired by old Grindhouse features and exploitation films, everything is presented as if you were watching it on a grainy, damaged film reel, with visible scratches appearing on the screen while you play, and every level begins with a movie-like trailer complete with an over-the-top voice-over. Adding to the Grindhouse feel is the absolutely brilliant soundtrack, with some great sleazy rock tunes accompanying the action.
Rounding off the experience is what has to be the most foul-mouthed and disturbing game to be released this generation. That big 18 rating on the box is there for a very good reason, as this even manages to make Grand Theft Auto look like the Teletubbies by comparison. The main source of the foul-mouthed humour is Washington and his gratuitous use of the word (snipped; I will NOT have that kind of language in my comic! – Megadroid), and the game itself breaks so many taboos that it becomes a matter of playing through just to see which one it will break next. Somehow the game manages to pull off the potty-mouthed insanity without feeling grating, it is laugh-out-loud funny in places if you’re in the right mood, and the ending really has to be seen to be believed.
When it comes to the gameplay... well, what can be said? It’s a gun game; you move your cursor over something you want to kill and press the B button repeatedly until it’s dead. The Wii remote is perfect for games like this, and House of the Dead: Overkill is no exception. It’s clear that Headstrong Games know how to make a good gun game, as the action is fast, frantic and with memorable set pieces which keep repetition at bay. The levels are also nicely varied, with stages including a hospital, a swamp, a prison and even a speeding train!
However, one legitimate complaint that can be levelled at this game is the simple fact that it’s just too easy. The only penalty for dying is a knock to your score, as you have unlimited continues. Coupled with this is the ability to buy new weapons and upgrade them, which eventually makes you pretty much unstoppable. The bosses are also largely forgettable, with most being easily dispatched. There are efforts to extend the game’s lifespan, with a harder Uncut mode which makes the levels longer and gives you limited continues, but ultimately this is a game for those who strive for the high scores, though it’s a shame the game doesn’t support online leaderboards.
With all that said, this is the most fun I’ve had on the Wii for quite some time. It’s stupid, hyper-violent and rather perverse in places, but it’s an absolute blast to play, and makes an excellent addition to the series.
|
||||||||||
|
||||||||||
 |
|
Console - Wii Game Type - Lightgun Shooter Players - 1-4 Publisher - SEGA/Headstrong Games Price - RRP £39.99 Reviewer - Drew Middlemas |
|
STC's Rating System: Under 40 = Yawnsville 40-70 = Normalsville 70-80 = Fun City 80-90 = Big Time City 90+ = Mega City |
 |