Your attention, please. I know some of you are DREADFULLY TERRIFIED of spoilers. Well, this article contains non-story related spoilers about various zombie games. Enter at your own risk. You have been warned. (Psychotic laugh.)
It's Halloween time, which means time to dust off your favorite horror titles and... think about trading them in for something new. Well, I say blow off the dust, plug that disk into your favorite next-gen console (or boot up your PC) and get busy living - or get busy dying, if you haven't leveled up.
Here are three great ways to screw with your favorite undead nemeses in Dead Island, Dead Rising and Left 4 Dead 2:
1. Become a matador in Dead Island
The city of Moresby is the second of three areas you'll encounter in Dead Island, and the first to introduce the psychotic zombies known as Rams. These not-so-gentle giants are wrapped tight in heavy leather straight jackets and Dr. Lector masks. They can't bite, which may be why they are some kinda pissed off. Instead of seeking the therapy they desperately need, they just charge forward in a straight trajectory.
Here's how to turn this into a fun mini-game. Find a Ram, but try not to trigger his attention. Work your way to the other end of the street, High-Noon style. (Avoid walking by the Ram as he WILL notice you. Double-back and go around if necessary.)
Once you reach the other side, look for a nice, juicy target. Oh wait, that's you! Okay, find something ELSE that you'd like to see the Ram hit. I recommend a burning car, which is pretty easy to find in Moresby. Take a quick moment to scout the area and determine which way you can safely lunge (right or left - never backwards!)
For additional safety, go BEHIND the car (the side not facing your "bull" and lure any nearby zombies for a quick hack and slash session. The last thing you need is some low-level zombie grabbing you when tons o' fun is heading straight for you!
Ready? Good! Put on your taunting face, get in front of the fiery car and yell - hey big fella! OVER HERE! If he doesn't charge immediately, throw a disposable weapon his way or shoot at him. He'll charge like a bat out of hell. Wait until he has a good pace and throw yourself out of harm's way. (You can shout, "Toro!" if you're really into it.) Be sure to turn around and watch as he plunges head first into the inferno - and then waddles away both dazed and on fire.
Before he gets his wits back, run back to the other end of the street and find a barrier or car. There should be a nice group of zombies hanging out here by now. Position yourself between your bull and the crowd, but don't engage the zombies yourself. Instead, jump out of the way and let your undead pal thin the herd while you head back toward the car inferno. Toro! Toro!
TIP: Xian Mei's Survival skill tree includes the Spectre skill, which makes her less noticeable. She is also faster and more nimble than the other playable characters. If you plan to play with the Rams, I highly recommend leveling up Xian Mei and getting the Spectre skill as early as possible!
2. Get in some target practice in Dead Rising (or Dead Rising 2)
Shopping complexes play a big role in the Dead Rising series. The original is set in a mall, while Dead Rising 2 takes the action to the casinos of Fortune City, Nevada, which is connected by... a bunch of malls. With everything 100 percent off using your five-finger discount, it's hard to resist a store-by-store looting spree to find new weapons. You might be tempted to avoid the toy stores - fluffy and soft things do not kill zombies. Plus, parents with kids of a certain age might be tempted to shoot the purple dinosaurs, and that's just a waste of bullets. (The purple dinosaur does not kill. He might make you homicidal after a few hours, however!)
Here's how you can torment your zombie and shoot it, too.
In Dead Rising, exit the mall security offices and head right. You'll see some undead mall cops wading in the pond - take them down and steal their guns. (If you've unlocked the full mall, you can also head to the gun store and stock up.) Once you've exercised your Second Amendment rights, head back the way you came - you'll see a toy store on your right, next to the record store. Go inside and load up on masks. (It helps if you've leveled up enough to add some slots.) Head back into the mall and slap those puppies on as many zombies as possible. Go back for more until you've exhausted the store's supply. Then head upstairs to the café and jump out the window onto the awning. (You know, where the katana lives.)
By now, your zombies will be wandering in front of you, just begging to be put out of their humiliated misery. Shooting gallery time! Take aim and finish the job from your perch. Bonus: Zombies can't follow you onto the awning - so pack a lunch and pack some heat - zombie season is now open!
Dead Rising 2 players will find a selection of purple dinosaur masks in the toy store on the second floor of Royal Flush Plaza, a short walk from the safe house. Load up on masks and guns (they are everywhere) and head over to the pharmacy area. There is decorative wall in front of the pharmacy where Chuck (or Frank, depending on the game version you have) can climb to relative safety. Slap on the masks, climb the wall and go to town!
Or, if you prefer, head into one of the many casinos and show the undead what happens when you gamble junior's college fund away. All of the casinos have climbing surfaces. Just be sure you have armed yourself and masked your prey before you begin your climb. Ring-a-ding-ding!
BONUS PLAY: Chuck isn't just a bad-ass zombie slayer. He's also a daddy with a very sick little girl. A little girl who would probably love, say, a soft cuddly gift from the toy store. I'm just sayin'.
3. Take the Travelocity Gnome on a road trip in Left 4 Dead 2
OK, it's not actually the Travelocity Gnome. But you have to admit the little guy has a striking resemblance to the troll who seemingly owns Phil Keoghan's soul on The Amazing Race. Plus, he clearly wants you to take him with you, wherever you go! He's quiet, compact and won't bitch when you accidentally kill him for the tenth time (like some people I could name but won't - Gamewatcher). Plus he can be used as a weapon, unlike the same certain people. In short, what's not to like? Here's how to get your very own Not-Travelocity-Gnome in L4D2:
During the Dark Carnival campaign, look for the shooting gallery mini-game at The Fairgrounds. (It's near the beginning.) Step right up and score at least 750 points in the game. You'll be awarded your very own Gnome Chompski to have, to hold, to love. For the Whole. Damn. Game.
Well, technically you could just chuck the gnome at the first baddy you see and call it a day. But then what kind of monster are you? Leaving poor Gnomey out there all alone, abandoned first by Phil, and now by you. The poor guy will get a complex. Plus, did I mention he makes a great weapon?
BONUS: If you manage to get through this already insanely difficult game carrying a gnome, you will get an achievement. You will also be able to tell your friends that you beat L4D2 with a gnome. And that alone is worth the price of admission... to the fair.
Have your own favorite undead-related activity? Share it below!
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