Ground Zero Hero is the next game to be released as part of Acclaim's return.
Developed by Rowan Edmondson, the title is a survivor-like where players are thrown into a radioactive wasteland and asked to survive against literally thousands of enemies. While it honestly isn't anything too removed from what fans of the genre are used to, the unique art style and addictive gameplay loop will keep players coming back for more. It is a title very reminiscent of the computer games many of us would sneak on to play during computer class in high school—assuming you're old enough to remember "computer class"—and once you are pulled in, it is hard to get away.
Mutate to Survive:
The gameplay in Ground Zero Hero is simple, yet becomes chaotic extremely fast.
At the beginning of each round, players are thrown into a wasteland map and asked to select one of three abilities to start with. These abilities are chosen at random and can range from passives to physical attacks that aid in survival. Attacking is done automatically at set intervals, but all abilities stack on top of each other, increasing how often your character deals damage.
While some abilities are melee attacks, others shoot projectiles or drop bombs. Even special abilities like radiation simply deal damage to anything that gets close to you. Each of these abilities can be powered up by selecting extra copies upon leveling up. This is key to survival, with different builds performing better in specific situations.
When it comes to actually playing the game, players need to navigate around enemies while attempting to take out as many as possible. Once defeated, some enemies drop radioactive goop that levels up the player character when enough is collected. At times, picking up upgrade items becomes a challenge, especially as hundreds of enemies march over them, so it is often better to cut your losses or return later to grab them. Safes can be cracked for extra spending money when a round ends, and candy can be found to keep energy up.
Each map also features unique interactive objects that help tremendously when the going gets tough. Cows on the first map can be ridden to trample hordes of enemies, while the second map features a shotgun-wielding human who mows down everything in his path. It doesn’t matter who gets the kills, allowing you to take advantage of the chaos to pick up upgrades and survive when mobs become overwhelming. These are just a few examples of what can be encountered, with dozens more to discover.
Enemy waves grow progressively stronger as time goes on and the overall kill requirement, displayed at the top of the screen, counts down toward zero. A day and night cycle determines how relentless the enemies are, with nights filled with monsters that will make short work of you if you aren't careful. Thankfully, safe zones allow players to rest up and advance to the next day. They also allow for mid-run saves, meaning players aren't forced to complete a full run in one sitting. Players are rewarded greatly for surviving the night, which becomes more doable as abilities reach higher levels and trigger a "frenzy" state—a random special attack that deals massive damage. For example, a small laser beam that zaps nearby enemies can transform into a wide, sweeping beam that takes out hundreds at once, or the spikes shooting from your back can begin rapid-firing. These random effects make all the difference once activated, especially at night.
Following a run, the main character ranks up and unlocks new potential abilities based on performance, while money can be spent on additional buffs and upgrades. These upgrades are tied to progress, preventing you from simply maxing out the character while restricted to the first map. There are multiple maps to unlock, each with its own boss fight and specific challenges. Completing these challenges—ranging from killing a set amount of enemies to activating special objects—rewards extra money to make upgrades easier to obtain.
This gameplay loop of jumping in, testing different builds, slaughtering enemies, and upgrading abilities is what makes the game so addictive and keeps you coming back for more. While some might get burned out by playing nonstop and running maps back-to-back, it is the perfect game to revisit whenever the mood strikes. That is the primary draw of games in this genre, and Ground Zero Hero executes it well.
Should you play it?
Ground Zero Hero is a solid survivor-like. Fans of the genre will already know what they are getting into, but it is a perfect drop-in point for newcomers as well. With hectic rounds littered with thousands of enemies to slaughter and bullet-hell-like gameplay, it is easy to see why so many love this style of game. Thanks to its dozens of upgrades and countless unique enemy types, no two playthroughs are ever the same, keeping the experience fresh. Thankfully, there are also multiple maps, each with its own set of enemies and unique objects to encounter, so players can choose the type of run they want—not to mention the over 60 challenges that give plenty of reason to return to older areas. In short, it is a simple game that is packed full of content, and gives players plenty of reason to come back time and time again. It might not be anything too special, but it is still a great time.
Overall, Ground Zero Hero doesn't reinvent the survivor-like genre, but its distinct art style and addictive gameplay loop make it hard to put down. It feels like a throwback to the games we used to sneak and play during computer class in the early 2000s—a nostalgic feeling few games capture today.
VERDICT: Recommended
Reviewed on PC
Review Copy was Provided
Available On: Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC
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