An iPhone game we’ve been hanging out for for a while now is Zombie Dice by Steve Jackson Games. Many of you would be familiar with the dice game by now, and if you’re not, you probably should be. The premise of the game is simple – you and you’re fellow players are all zombies trying to eat as many brains as you can without getting shotgunned – and the gameplay is quick paced and fun. Zombie Dice is played by using three specially marked dice showing shotgun blasts, brains and footprints. The goal is to roll as many brains as you can for as long as you can without getting shotgunned three times – the first to eat 13 brains wins. Now, with the release of the iPhone version, you can play anytime, anywhere.
The free iPhone version of the game allows you to play against one other Zombie called Inert Bert who speaks Zombie to you. Fortunately the developers have provided subtitles so you can understand him, which is just as well as he can be quite funny. The game play is straightforward and the animations, although a little simplistic at times, are suitably appropriate for the context of the game. The sound effects and music also go some way to making the game atmospheric.
For those of you wanting to play with your friends you can upgrade the game for $0.99 as an in-app purchase. This adds pass and play functionality to the game for up to 8 players, as well as the ability to have more zombie opponents as well if you like. This is one of those great and simple games to play while you are waiting for game to start, the pizza to be delivered or the GM to look up a ruling. It is simple, straightforward and evocative and games rarely go longer than five minutes (although I have played some VERY long games where we’ve all been shotgunned plenty of times – apparently we don’t make good zombies…).
While never as good as playing a game sitting around the table with your friends, Zombie Dice for the iPhone is a good implementation of the game that can be played when you don’t have access to either dice or friends. My only complaint that I would make is that you can’t speed up the Zombie players and at times I felt like they were a little slow. Having said that, however, that might be quite appropriate, all things being said and done. All in all it is a worthwhile addition to your iPhone’s Zombie Games folder and the in-app upgrade makes play more interesting with more players as well.
- Zombie Dice – Free|$0.99 upgrade (iTunes link)
- Zombie Dice Website
