Zombie Revenge

Genre: Beat-‘Em-Up Developer: Sega Enterprises Publisher: Sega Enterprises Players: 1-2 Released: 2000

The Dreamcast era was ripe with titles that pushed the boundaries of gaming, offering experiences that ranged from the innovative to the downright bizarre (llbleed, I’m looking right at you). Among these was Zombie Revenge, a game that blended beat-’em-up action with the undead horror of House of the Dead. Originally an arcade hit in 1999, Zombie Revenge made its way to the Dreamcast in 2000, bringing with it a unique mix of action, horror, and unintentional comedy.

Set in the same universe as House of the Dead, Zombie Revenge follows the story of three agents from the AMS as they battle a man-made plague of zombies and unravel a sinister plot to use the dead as fighting machines. While the game’s melodramatic dialogue and questionable voice acting may raise eyebrows, they help connect it to the universe first introduced in Sega’s zombie light gun series, and they evoke the same spirit of a badly-dubbed B-movie that we all know and love.

But we’re not playing a light gun game here! Zombie Revenge trades those mechanics for some traditional beat-’em-up action with a bit of gunplay. Ever wish you could just pound some of the enemies from House of the Dead to pieces? Now’s your chance! Players choose from any of the three AMS agents, each with specific strengths and weaknesses, and let loose against a horde of the undead. Agent Rotta is better with guns than she is with melee combat, and Agent Busujima is the trio’s brawler. Agent Brietling is the most balanced and probably the best choice for beginners. Mastering the controls and adapting to each character’s playstyle can be challenging though, especially given the game’s punishing difficulty. Remember, Zombie Revenge was first an arcade game, and its quarter-munching design carried over to the Dreamcast pretty much intact.

Don’t let the challenge level dissuade you, though. In fact, I’d be surprised if most people didn’t expect the game to be hard going in. However, despite its steep learning curve, Zombie Revenge is surprisingly addictive. Players must carefully manage resources, navigate hidden areas for valuable items, and contend with relentless enemies and challenging boss fights. For instance, guns have limited ammunition, and once they’re gone, it’s back to punching. Not a problem! That’s what we’re here for. This port retains the two-player co-op of the arcade, and it’s always more fun to beat things up with a friend.

Aside from the difficulty, one of the characteristics of the original arcade game was its short length. The seven stages, or “episodes,” weren’t that long. Again, as a machine designed to force players to spend as much money as possible, it was made to be a short and intense ride. Obviously, this philosophy wouldn’t work for the home version, so Sega wisely took steps to beef things up. One of Zombie Revenge’s standout features is its variety of new modes. In addition to the traditional arcade mode, players can tackle a VS Boss Mode (once the boss has been beaten in the main game), VS Fighting Mode (player vs. player), and the single-player Original Mode, which offers three sub-modes – Normal Mode, Gun Mode, and Bare-Knuckle Mode – that alter the gameplay experience by changing the damage done by weapons and punches. Additionally, Zombie Revenge uses the Dreamcast VMU for mini-games like a training mode for raising a character to use in the Fighting Mode. It’s like a primitive pet simulator. Think of it as a hyper-violent Tamagotchi with a gun license. Moreover, food items picked up in Original Mode can be fed to these characters. Lastly, two other mini-games, Zombie Fishing and Zombie Doubt, boost attack and defense stats respectively, and the high scores in these mini-games unlock cheats for Original Mode.

The main problem with Zombie Revenge is that even with all this extra content, the game never feels very fleshed out (no pun intended). There are hidden areas with items to find, and episodes have branching paths, but the action is a bit too repetitive for a home release. The notorious difficulty level isn’t toned down all that much either, making for a short and sometimes frustrating ride. These flaws don’t mean that there isn’t fun to be had, and as I alluded to, the game can be a blast to play with a second player. There’s meat on this bone, but it may not be enough to fill you up, and some players might not be interested enough to come back for a second plate.

That reality is unfortunate because from a technical standpoint, Zombie Revenge impresses on the Dreamcast. I know that some people might not appreciate the campy atmosphere, but I found it to be part of the whole Sega zombie identity. If you can look past that (or enjoy it as I do), Zombie Revenge has enough smooth gameplay, and decent presentation to deliver an intensive experience despite the problems of its arcade heritage. With some perseverance and practice, players will find the game’s hidden depth and satisfying combat mechanics, at least in short bursts.

For the most part, Zombie Revenge is a solid beat-’em-up that caters to horror and beat-’em-up fans willing to embrace its challenges and overlook its shortcomings. While it may deter newcomers with its difficulty and quirks, those who invest the time will find a rewarding and entertaining experience. With its great two-player action and wealth of content, Zombie Revenge is a fun time to be had and a plus to the Dreamcast library, deserving of a place in any collector’s lineup.