Zombie Wranglers

It’s hard to tell who this game is actually targeting as their primary market. With the whole world still clamouring for zombies after the recent success of Resident Evil 5, you’d think that Zombie Wranglers are somehow trying to address that thirst. But after seeing its childish artwork, glaring colours, idiotic controls, and cheesy comic attempts – it’s even unlikely that a four year old will might appreciate this.

The city of Potters Field is suddenly abound with human-chomping undead, and none of the adults seem adept enough to fight it So you, along with three other kids, must suck the zombies away with your trusty vacuum cleaner, known as the Wrangler-Pack. This allows for co-op modes both offline, and through Xbox Live Arcade. Each of the four characters are have with them special unique weapons and tools, but they all can suck the undead into their Proton Pa—I mean, ahem, Wrangler-Pack. You can suck the undead up with our vacuum, use a melee attack, or blast them with a gun that seems to take forever to charge up. This game could very well be trying to pay homage to one of the most-anticipated ghost busting games coming this July. Anyhow, if you can’t wait till then, I still suggest you veer away from Zombie Wranglers.

First off, the controls are clunky and awkward. That’s being too nice – actually they don’t work. The vacuum-type gun gets interrupted so often and so easily. The gun has a mind of its own, changing targets and aim even after you’ve pulled the trigger. The melee attacks is useless against a swarm of enemies, you might as well serve yourself on a silver platter.

The game also has you pounding on garbage cans, mailboxes, and trees as you chase after zombie hide. It’s just a way for you to find some hidden collectibles and make some dough. Whee. At least that’s not all you can earn from. Capturing zombies will also give you some cash bonus. What’s all the cash for? Why to buy some power-ups of course, so you can better combat all those human-chomping zombies. I mean, of course kids need all the nutrition you need, and some of these even do cool magic tricks for you. For instance, shopping for some turkey gives you full health. Still other goodies allow you to spray gluey goo on the zombies’ path, shrink them while you gobble them up, and much more.

There are 20 repetitive missions to go through in Zombie Wranglers. Apart from the impossible controls, you also have to live through its failed attempts at comedy, the dialogue is cheesy and bordering on intolerable, and there’s really nothing new or exciting in the entire game. If you think inviting your friends in might prove to be a bit more fun, I’m sure you’ll think otherwise when they start hating you for dragging them into your misery. You’ll have to though, because it’s impossible to beat the final boss alone.

To end this review on a positive note, there is one good point about to this game. Zombie Wranglers has decent colours. That’s all.