Outbreak: Epidemic is a retro style survival horror game that is somewhat similar to games like Resident Evil. Developed and published by Drop Dead Studios the game was originally released in 2019, and is now available on the Nintendo Switch. It is also the first of the Outbreak series that will be playable on a handheld device!
As stated earlier the game is similar in style to Resident Evil games of the past, with a limited inventory system that you can pull up to “use” and “combine” items such medical & healing supplies. That and the fact that the game is a zombie game is about where I stopped drawing similarities between the two franchises. Outbreak: Epidemic does enough to set itself apart from other games in the genre, but it similar enough for some people to think it is just a clone even though it’s not.
With playable story missions, horde mode & experimental modes the game has enough to keep you playing, especially with friends! That’s right Outbreak: Epidemic has local multiplayer split screen, which is fun and will leave you and your friend having a good time.
Other key features to Outbreak: Epidemic are
- Claustrophobic over-the-shoulder gameplay.
- Classic Story, Onslaught, and Experiments modes available in solo play or co-op.
- Customisable camera including FOV, height and more!
- Several different firearms and melee weapons to choose from.
- Multiple difficulty settings: Easy, Normal, Biohazard and Nightmare!
- Search areas to discover diary entries and keys.
- Solve puzzles to survive.
- Quality and Performance modes may be selected from Options screen.
- Supports Switch Pro Controller, Joy-Cons in tabletop mode, and HD Rumble.
Now while Outbreak: Epidemic has enough going for it to be a game that many would pick up, I did have my problems with it. Controls feel very wonky regardless of playing in handheld mode or docked. I found myself more times than I could count struggling to get shots on enemies that I had a good jump on. Next I want to say that though there is puzzles in the game I wish there was a little more difficulty to them, or more of them in each level. I loved trying to figure out how to progress, but I just wish I could have been asked to really think about what the solution to each problem was. Those are my biggest issues that I had with the title.
Gameplay: 5/10 missions and puzzles all seem very easy, and game offers little challenge.
Sound Design: 5/10 guns, music & zombies all able to be heard separately. Lack of interesting noise.
Graphics: 6/10 looks the part of an old generation horror game, but doesn’t look amazing while doing it.
Control: 4/10 easily one of the hardest times I’ve had aiming a weapon in a game.
VERDICT
Overall: 5.0.
I didnt hate my time playing Outbreak: Epidemic, but I did find myself just wishing there was a but more polish on every detail. If you see this while looking at games it is worth a view, but I don’t know about multiple playthroughs. Like I said earlier the game is definitely fun, though I wouldn’t put it in my top 5 of horror titles that I have played. I say that if you get the chance to play it you should pick it up!
FrankenCulture 