Zombie Army VR: Taking Aim at Undead Terror in Virtual Reality

Zombie Military VR delivers a thrilling motion-shooter experience, yet several aspects hinder its full potential in the current demo.

In this latest installment of the Sniper Elite spin-off series, set between Zombie Military Trilogy and Zombie Military 4, we embark on a thrilling adventure across war-torn Europe, where our protagonist, a seasoned Deadhunter, takes aim at a new target: zombie Nazi soldiers. As the latest collaboration in a string of successful partnerships, Insurrection has joined forces with XR Games to develop its new spin-off title, following their previous work together on Sniper Elite VR and last year’s Winter Warrior sequel.

I had a hands-on experience with the PlayStation VR2 model at Gamescom 2024, where I immersed myself in the opening mission, which was divided into three engaging levels. For those entering the world of virtual reality for the first time, certain elements within the initial stages should be familiar. As you complete the tutorial in Zombie Military VR, you are prompted once again to adjust your comfort settings. Rechecking everything thoroughly ensures that every detail is accurate and nothing feels out of place.

In the early stages of gameplay, players have the opportunity to enhance their arsenal by upgrading various types of firearms, including precision rifles, rapid-fire machine guns, pump-action shotguns, submachine guns, and reliable handguns. In Zombie Military VR, players have the option to utilize three distinct reloading methods, including a streamlined computerized process initiated by a simple button press, a traditional manual approach requiring insertion of the ammunition clip, and an authentic “Real” mode that simulates a more immersive experience. Upon Insurrection’s recommendation, I opted to employ the handbook setting.

You’ll be able to store up to three items in your satchel, including explosive options like grenades and mines, as well as essential aids such as health syringes. As I battled against numerous foes, I relied on a range of useful tools. As chaos erupted around me, a few individuals attempted to hasten my pace, while others donned protective armor, and some were even armed with heavy-duty machine guns. While navigating the game’s diverse enemy roster, players must strategically employ their ammunition to achieve success, with limited pistol rounds prompting the need for thoughtful weapon switching in certain sections.

As I navigated the session with caution, my primary objective was to fend off relentless zombie hordes while thoroughly exploring each eerie campsite. Progress wasn’t possible until I had eliminated every nearby undead entity. As my closing mission drew to a close, I finally faced off against the formidable boss, its arrival marked by the culmination of a prolonged and grueling battle against relentless hordes that had tested my resolve just moments before. Will the upcoming sports game feature additional mission options?

Will the undead ever cease their relentless assault on our very way of life? The thrill of pinpointing targets with precision-guided x-ray kill cams remains a siren song to marketers seeking to spearhead successful campaigns that resonate deeply with audiences craving high-octane action and suspense. Although the game’s visuals appear impressive, I lacked concrete confirmation of its framerate, and my initial skepticism gave way to genuine interest in the action unfolding on screen. The Zombie Military VR’s mission construction has been successfully divided into manageable chunks, allowing players to complete a level in approximately 20-30 minutes. It is sufficiently lengthy to not truly feel bite-sized, yet brief enough to yield in manageable chunks.

As I initially departed from the demo with an overly enthusiastic tone, a few doubts began to emerge once I had a chance to reflect on my initial reactions. The satchel appears more like a hovering inventory menu than a tangible container where items can be stored, which detracts from the game’s immersion and feels like an unconventional solution, especially considering how many games successfully employ a physical inventory system.

I found it difficult to grasp and pick up objects. With holsters that automatically reset once dropped, my firearms reliably snap back into place – unlike the rifle, which requires a deliberate shoulder holster adjustment – although I’ve yet to develop the ability to magnetically retrieve them from the ground in the event of an accidental drop. Occasionally, grabbing objects fails to perform as intended, with unintended consequences: trying to pick up weapons often results in accidentally collecting ammo or my pistol instead. You’ll have the ability to adjust the belt’s height.

A minor inconvenience stemmed from the necessity to reload the handgun by hand. Despite the ease of loading other firearms, I frequently struggle with reloading my virtual pistol in Zombie Military VR, as the game refuses to acknowledge the “enter” command. As I dropped the clip, prepared for its return to my pouch, this became a regular work-around to try again. Will contemplation’s preview finally take shape and become fixed?

Despite the flaws that concern the launch, time passes quickly as I conquer undead Nazis. Innovatively, the presence of armed zombies adds a unique spin to the traditional shambling corpses, while excluding reload time, Zombie Military VR’s gunplay primarily delivers a satisfying experience. While I remain cautious, I’m eager to witness the full launch unfold.

The highly anticipated Zombie Military VR experience is set to land on PSVR 2, Quest, Rift, and Steam in 2024. Discover more about this exciting development in our previous interview with Insurrection and XR Games, below.