Here Come The Zombies
Into the Dead 2: Unleashed is a re-release of the 2019 title by PikPok, which is now part of Netflix’s gaming library. Upon its initial release, it wasn’t well-liked due to the microtransactions plaguing it. Thankfully these in-app purchases have since been removed. However, the game ultimately doesn’t fair well in 2022 either, with its unoriginal, bland gameplay and mediocre plot.
Tap and Strafe
Into the Dead 2: Unleashed centers around James, who is trying to return to his family after a supply run gone wrong leaves him stranded. Gameplay is fairly basic, with the character auto-running. Players must strafe from left to right and tap the screen to fire their selected weapon. Most levels have a layer of mist, low-light conditions or other weather effects which make them feel claustrophobic. These effects don’t enhance the gameplay at all. In fact, they only make it harder to play by obstructing the player’s view of John’s surroundings. Into the Dead 2: Unleashed offers 60 levels taking place in various environments like farms, military zones, forests, trainyards, towns and churches. However, most levels eventually end up in farmland and thus start to feel very similar.
The core gameplay is fun at first but becomes increasingly repetitive the more you play. There are a variety of weapons to choose from ranging from pistols, shotguns, submachine guns, assault rifles, bows and special weapons. However, oftentimes there isn’t enough ammunition for players to see what these weapons can really do against a zombie horde. In later parts of the game, it’s best to avoid combat altogether and strafe to stay out of harm’s way, as there are simply too many zombies. Additionally, the game includes daily challenges that require players to use a specific a weapon in a certain scenario to earn gold. Gold allows you to upgrade weapons but ultimately isn’t worth very much.
A Lackluster Plot
The story is quite lacking, with James finding himself further away from his family the closer he tries to get to them. The so-called villain, Pastor Barton, only appears in the last quarter of the game and is an unoriginal caricature of a Southern preacher. Barton doesn’t pose much of a threat if—any at all and—almost feels unneeded in the storyline. The only real fun part of the game is a side story called Untamed. The side story centers around reuniting a pair of lost circus tigers and watching a tiger munching on zombies is its most entertaining feature.
Ultimately, Into the Dead 2: Unleashed is a pretty mediocre action game. It wasn’t great when it was released 3 years ago and doesn’t fare much better in 2022. With repetitive gameplay, a near nonexistent story, and a villain that isn’t very threatening, the game just isn’t that great. The game is free with a Netflix subscription. However, it’s almost better to save your time playing this game and watch The Walking Dead instead.
