Shout Out - Sniper Elite: Nazi Zombie Army

New games often have a hard time attracting an audience. If it's not a sequel to a proven franchise from a proven developer with a slew of positive reviews and media buzz, a new game has a lot to overcome just to get on the average gamer's radar.

It's therefore unsurprising that "Sniper Elite: Nazi Zombie Army" (NZA) was branded with the established "Sniper Elite" name despite it making for one of the clumsier video game monikers in recent memory.

What's really surprising is just how good this game is regardless of its awkward title.

Don't let the cheesy name fool you. This is a solid and fun game.

What we have here is a great example of how bending or outright breaking typical game design conventions can lead to something really special.

The secret sauce in this case lies in how NZA combines the precise, almost simulation-like mechanics of the "Sniper Elite" series with the freewheeling, shoot-em-up design motifs of classic action-horror games like "House of the Dead" and "Left 4 Dead" into something that feels both deep from a gameplay standpoint and deeply-satisfying in terms of esthetics and pure entertainment.

This is also one of very few such games that is equally as effective as a single player and a co-operative experience. In single player, it exudes a tense, survival-horror vibe, while co-op provides a more action-focused experience as everyone is given plenty to shoot at on a regular basis.

NZA's zombies are often varied and difficult to predict in a way that makes them a
much more credible threat than what's found in your typical zombie shoot-em-up.

The only real weak point I see in this game is that co-op isn't particularly well balanced for two players. Three or four feels like the correct amount, with the game throwing a bit too much at a party of two for it to be appealing to all but the most hardcore duos looking for a serious challenge.

Having said that, this is easily one of the best surprises I've had in a while where co-op gameplay is concerned and is an absolute blast if you have two or three friends to play it with.

Some zombies are less zombified than others and will take up arms against you.

It's also worth noting that the game sports some great visuals and audio that really seal the deal. From the highly-detailed and creepily-lit environments, to the buttery-smooth animations, to the eerie sound effects and spot-on "I'm a badass in an interactive horror flick" music, it all works and gels in a way that's easy to love.

There are ways in which the NZA concept could be improved and expanded but in the scope of the budget-priced title that it is, NZA is extremely successful at delivering a fun, unique and compelling experience that shouldn't be missed by anyone who finds the premise the least bit compelling.

Of course, there are those who may find the entire NZA concept too ridiculous or offensive. In which case, I'd say this game clearly isn't for you but it's hard to argue against the craftsmanship it displays or how fun it is to play relative to other first-person shooters.

Sniper Elite: Nazi Zombie Army (via Steam)