With Zombie Army VR, Rebellion and Xtended Realities have brought the undead hordes into virtual reality, delivering a spin-off (of a spin-off) that expands the Zombie Army franchise into a more tactile and immersive format. While the setup is familiar – zombie-infested Europe, World War II-era weaponry, and a supernatural threat that refuses to stay dead – the switch to VR breathes new life into the experience, even if the formula doesn’t stray too far from its well-worn roots.
The game casts you as a Deadhunter, an elite soldier trying to mop up the undead mess left behind after the fall of Zombie Hitler. It’s not a narrative that dives deep, but it does enough to justify the campaign’s relentless action. With missions spanning war-torn towns, eerie forests, and fog-choked ruins, the settings help keep things fresh, even when the story takes a back seat. The campaign also benefits from the ability to be played solo or with a co-op partner, adding variety to the pacing and a social element to the otherwise grim apocalypse (PSU, Road to VR).
Where Zombie Army VR excels is in how it feels to play with the PS VR2 hardware. Dual-wielding pistols, manually reloading weapons, and aiming down sights with physical precision gives the combat an immediate intensity that traditional flat-screen versions could never match. The inclusion of the series’ signature X-ray kill cam in VR adds a visceral punch that feels both ridiculous and rewarding when you land that perfect sniper shot. While some aspects of weapon handling – especially with two-handed rifles – take time to adjust to, the overall gunplay feels responsive and impactful.
However, not everything is improved by the leap to virtual reality. The level design, while atmospheric, often leans on linear corridors and arena-style shootouts that can feel repetitive over time. Enemy variety is decent, with snipers, flamethrower-wielding undead, and armored monstrosities thrown into the mix, but the core combat loop doesn’t evolve significantly over the course of the campaign. That said, the game’s progression system does add a layer of customization, letting you modify weapons and level up your character to suit different playstyles – though this progression doesn’t feel as deep or meaningful as it could have been.
Visually, Zombie Army VR makes good use of the PS VR2’s OLED display and headset haptics. The environments, while not pushing the limits of the hardware, are detailed enough to sell the war-torn horror atmosphere. The enemy models, especially the larger mini-bosses, are grotesquely satisfying, and seeing them torn apart in slow motion is as visceral as it is grisly. Audio design adds to the tension with eerie ambient effects, snarling enemies, and the booming echo of your rifle shots – though the voice acting and dialogue remain firmly in B-movie territory, which fits the franchise’s tone but won’t appeal to everyone.
Ultimately, Zombie Army VR delivers a solid and often thrilling translation of the franchise’s familiar mechanics into a more immersive format. While it doesn’t innovate much beyond the shift to VR, and some of the campaign design and progression systems feel underdeveloped, there’s a lot to enjoy if you’re craving well-executed undead carnage with a side of co-op. It’s a competent entry point for new players and a fun, if not revolutionary, spin-off for long-time fans looking to step into the boots of a Deadhunter firsthand.
Score: 7.8/10
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