End Night – the sandbox survival shooter is coming this February… Updated with hands-on impressions…
(Originally posted 25th January 2012) As with most survival horror games, a deadly virus has swept the world, turning all those infected by it into flesh-eating monsters. As a sole survivor it is your job to fight to stay alive in a race against time to find a cure.
The game is played in the 3rd person – think GTA – and looks to feature a mix of exploration and action. It also looks like it takes place over a period of 24 hrs, from initial infection to world’s end. Full gameplay details are scarce, but it’s possible that you too are infected and only have a limited time to find the clues to a cure to save humanity.
The game is an iPad exclusive and boasts 60 frame per second, global illumination lighting, intuitive controls (they all say that) and a ‘play your way’ experience, with missions changing to fit your style.
Hands-on update
(Posted 31st January 2012) We’ve had some hands-on play time with the game, and I can confirm that the game is indeed time based. Within that time you are tasked with retrieving samples of the virus in vials and must then return to your lab where you can create the cure. There are different strains of the virus found in corpses dotted around your map, which you must seek out and collect. Of course this is easier said than done, as hordes of undead roam the environment. You have access to three different weapons, a handgun, shotgun and axe, each with strengths and weaknesses in taking out the undead. To begin with they are all underpowered, and you’ll struggle to stay alive to find the cure. This gameplay mechanic though is an essential part of the experience. Like Infinity Blade, when you die you keep your experience, allowing you to power up both your character and their weapons to a great degree each time. Eventually you will be powerful enough to take on the enemy with ease, while having memorised the best paths and locations to each sample of the virus. I have yet to power up enough to complete the game, and so I have only managed to collect two samples before being overrun by the flesh eaters. And don’t expect slow, feet-dragging zombies here, they are more like 28 Days Later, running and scrambling for your blood.
Endnight is still in development, with a release expected later in February. Of what I have played I’d like to see it baked in the oven for a little longer. It’s a great concept, but it’s delivery could do with some work in its AI and graphics, particularly the zombies themselves. I’d also like to see a better balance early on where the zombies are a little slower, but to counter that, your character has limited ammo. Look out for our full review near the games release.
You can check out the moody trailer below:
