ZombiU reviews are coming in and wow, they are all over the place. Here's a summary courtesy of the Neogaf members.
Gamespot: 4.5/10ZombiU is a game trapped in the wrong genre. The run-and-gun multiplayer modes emphasise the game's competent shooting mechanics and ability to create interesting enemy encounters. However those two aspects of play are de-emphasised in the game proper, replaced with a bare minimum of story, and some simple puzzles. ZombiU could have been an enjoyable action game, but instead it is a poor entry in the survival horror genre.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3wSG2BGe3_cOfficial Nintendo Magazine: 92/100Summary from member MrT-Tar who has the issue
With ZombiU, they love the fact that it is truly a survival horror game, and a legitimately scary one as well. The attention to detail is apparently fantastic as well, they use the example of the ingame depiction of London Underground stations, featuring status boards, announcements, turnstyles, the round help buttons, etc. They also see the gamepad as being used excellently, for example as a scanner, inventory, controlling security cameras, etc. They have a few minor issues and glitches with the gameplay, but nothing too major. They also wished it had online play and Miiverse functionality. Overall, they claim that it is 'the game you'll be switching on to illustrate why the WiiU is so great'.
http://neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=500097Edge: 7/10quote from member Visualante2 who has the issue
"ZombiU makes the relationship between TV and GamePad screens feel fresh, and - displaying a clear awareness of horror gaming conventions - it toys with you brilliantly [...] and contribute to sophisticated shocks. The GamePad's new way to play also presents new ways for you to be played, and the resulting surprises are often delightful."
They go on to lament a back tracking section towards the end of the game, and a loss of "earthy realism" in the cheaper, fantastical enemies as the game progresses.
edit. I noticed they also said that the game fails to capture London's ethnic diversity, which was a concern of mine from the trailers also. Minor point, but a missed opportunity for Montpellier.
http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=500249 Wow, where do I begin. I'm not familiar with ONM but given its a Nintendo centered magazine, I won't put much weight into that review. The Edge review seems good anf fair and they seem to be a tough crowd. Looking at their other reviews, they gave Halo 4 an 8 when all other reviews I've seen from other sites have been near 10s.
Now as for that Gamespot review, ughhh, wtf. That score is one I associate with games that are broken or swamped with glitches and imperfections. From everything I've seen and read, the game doesn't look to be broken. I think the review just didn't like the flow and approach of the game and his review and score suffered greatly from it.
Now I really can't wait to see other reviews pop up on this game to see what the verdict truly is. I'm thinking this game is going to be one of those "you either love it or you hate it" types.