Jan 2016
Imagine waking up on a sunny island, palm trees swaying, waves crashing, and suddenly realizing that your fellow vacationers have turned into zombies. Welcome to "How to Survive 2," where it turns out, survival is a bit more complicated than packing sunscreen and flip-flops.
So, how does one actually 'survive'? In this game, players choose one of the three profoundly unique characters: Kenji, Abbie, or Jack. Yes, you can finally live out your fantasies of being a brawler, a sprinter, or a jack-of-all-trades, though 'trades' in this case primarily involve running away from the undead. The game proudly boasts two modes: a thrilling story mode and a challenge mode that pits survival strategies against the odds, or in this case, against hordes of hungry zombies. In story mode, players are led on a quest for salvation, running around four islands filled with zombies (sorry, was that redundant?). You gather resources, craft makeshift weapons, and generally hope your character avoids the zero-waste apocalypse.* The game offers ample room for error, which is comforting for those of us who would trip over a soda can and bring the zombie apocalypse to Epic proportions. What separates the men from the boys—or, you know, the survivors from the lunch—is the game's crafting system. You can combine items like a stick and a frying pan to make something that semi-miraculously helps you get through the day. It’s like Adam Savage said: "Failure is always an option," but in this case, it really shouldn’t be. Moreover, if you're welcoming friends into your chaotic zombie survival world, you can team up in co-op mode, where teamwork is essential, unless you're that one player who steals all the health packs. We all know you exist, Steve. Zombies can be found lurking around every corner. My advice? Avoid them. If you can’t, at least throw a rock and hope for the best. It's like being on a bad Tinder date, where you have to constantly run away and wonder what led you here in the first place. This game ensures even careful players will face undead combat chaos... and boys, it’s sexy chaos.
Visually, "How to Survive 2" seems to sit comfortably in that awkward space between a high-end mobile game and something that could definitely be sold at a clearance rack near you. It's not taking home any awards for realism or stunning imagery. But considering you're mostly evading zombies and loss of sanity, it looks just fine for rapid zombie escaping and swinging melee weapons haphazardly. The vibrant colors provide distinction in the chaos, because distinguishing between skin-rotting zombies and lush tropical scenery is definitely a priority. Both visuals and audio help build an immersive environment. The sounds of rustling bushes may be uneasy, but nothing boils the blood like the grunts of zombies that make you want to run faster than a gold medal Olympian. Besides, who doesn’t love a good ol' ghost story accompanied by crumbling shingles and popping zombies?
In conclusion, "How to Survive 2" is on the more endearing side of the survival genre, offering players that classic 'I can’t believe I’m doing this' feeling while dodging zombies with a frying pan. It’s a recipe for chaos, desperation, and some pretty ludicrous laughs. For those looking for a way into cooperative hilarity, or simply a mediocre escape from reality, this game fits perfectly in that niche. Overall, it's not the next great zombie game, but it definitely offers enough charm to be an entertaining escape. Will it make you rethink your putt-putt plans if you get stuck on an island? Probably not, but it’ll put a grin on your face as you attempt to liven a party of zombies up with some awkward dance moves. So, grab some friends and get ready to jump into a chaotic zombie-infected island, because contrary to popular belief, your survival instincts might just make for some fun-filled havoc—Zombie survival has never been this comically ridiculous!
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