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CRITIK

World War Z

Name: Comprehensive Review and Analysis of World War Z
Item: World War Z
Author: Critik Editorial Team

2019

GenresAdventure, Action, Third Person Perspective, Shooter, Horror, Military and Warfare, Single Player, Multiplayer, First Person Perspective

AvailableApr 16, 2019

PlatformPlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, PC

DeveloperSaber Interactive

Overview

World War Z is a mobile game developed by American studio Phosphor Games and published by Paramount Digital Entertainment. The game was released on May 30, 2013, prior to the release of the feature film of the same name, which was directed by Marc Forster and starred Brad Pitt

Elsewhere

6.6

Game analysis

Critik Scorecard

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Story and Narrative

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR STORY

Story Score

Positive (80-100)

11%

Mixed (50-79)

77%

Negative (0-49)

13%

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the story and narrative.

The Story of World War Z has received mixed reviews from critics, with some positive aspects highlighted by a few reviewers. Critics like DarkStation and JeuxActu appreciated the well-constructed narratives and unique scenarios presented in the game's campaigns. DarkStation specifically mentioned the focus on survival and interaction with NPC characters, setting a solid foundation for gameplay. Additionally, GameSpace mentioned the post-apocalyptic survival story with different worlds to explore, adding depth to the overall experience. On the negative side, many critics expressed disappointment in the lack of depth and engaging narrative in World War Z. CGMagazine and God is a Geek criticized the game for lacking a compelling story and character development, with minimal background provided for the characters. Several critics, such as Pure Nintendo and Switch Player, found the story to be forgettable and generic, resembling other zombie shooters in the market. PC Invasion highlighted the rinse-and-repeat nature of the story missions, leading to a sense of incompleteness and disconnect during gameplay. Overall, the consensus among critics is that World War Z falls short in delivering a captivating and immersive story experience. While some reviewers appreciated the game's unique scenarios and post-apocalyptic setting, the majority found the narrative to be lacking in depth and character development. Critics like Game Rant and PlayStation LifeStyle noted the game's focus on gameplay over story, with short bursts of action and obligatory dialogue. In conclusion, World War Z's narrative shortcomings, including minimal character backgrounds and generic premises, detract from the overall enjoyment of the game, making it a title that prioritizes gameplay mechanics over storytelling.

TL;DR

story and narrative

Critics have mixed feelings about World War Z. Some like DarkStation and JeuxActu praise its well-constructed narratives and unique scenarios, while others like CGMagazine and God is a Geek criticize its lack of depth and engaging story. Many find the game's narrative forgettable and generic, with a rinse-and-repeat feel to missions. Overall, World War Z falls short in delivering a captivating story experience, prioritizing gameplay mechanics over storytelling.

Gameplay Mechanics

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR GAMEPLAY

Gameplay Score

Positive (80-100)

56%

Mixed (50-79)

41%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the gameplay mechanics.

The gameplay of World War Z has received a mix of positive and negative feedback from critics. Many reviewers praised the intense and satisfying shooting mechanics, with tight controls and a wide variety of weapons available. Screen Rant highlighted the exciting and satisfying gameplay, while TheSixthAxis mentioned the compelling zombie-shooting mechanics and thought-provoking level design. Additionally, Gameplanet appreciated the modern twists to the classic formula of zombie shooters, offering team-based co-op gameplay with objectives and special zombie classes. On the negative side, several critics pointed out that the gameplay can feel repetitive and lacking in innovation. The Digital Fix and Pure Nintendo both criticized the lack of tension and variety in the gameplay, with repetitive levels and an overabundance of weapons and ammo. Furthermore, IGN Spain noted that while the game offers different character classes and unique mechanics in each level, it can still feel repetitive despite environmental variation. Some critics, like Hobby Consolas, also mentioned that the gunplay lacks the desired impact, affecting the overall gameplay experience. Overall, the consensus among critics is that World War Z delivers competent gameplay with a focus on cooperative multiplayer, intense moments, and a robust progression system. Critics like Jeuxvideo.com and DarkStation appreciated the similarities to Left 4 Dead, highlighting the cooperative gameplay and character classes. While the game may lack originality and variety, it still manages to provide an engaging experience with satisfying mechanics and strategic elements. The game's ability to offer different playstyles through classes, weapons, and upgrades, as mentioned by GameWatcher and JeuxActu, adds depth and replay value to the overall gameplay experience. Despite some criticisms regarding repetition and lack of innovation, World War Z seems to resonate positively with players seeking a thrilling zombie-shooting experience with friends.

TL;DR

gameplay mechanics

World War Z offers intense, satisfying shooting mechanics and modern twists on classic zombie shooter gameplay. Critics appreciate the cooperative multiplayer focus, robust progression system, and engaging mechanics. However, some find the gameplay repetitive and lacking innovation, with criticisms on tension, variety, and impact of gunplay. Despite its flaws, the game delivers an engaging experience with strategic elements and replay value, resonating well with players seeking thrilling zombie-shooting action with friends.

Graphics and Visual Design

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR VISUALS

Visual Score

Positive (80-100)

42%

Mixed (50-79)

58%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the graphics and visual design.

The graphics and visual design of World War Z have received mixed reviews from critics. Some critics have praised the game for its impressive visuals, particularly during swarm sequences and the depiction of large hordes of zombies. Critics like IGN have highlighted the visually stunning settings, detailed depictions of post-apocalyptic cities, and distinctive zombie behaviors that enhance the overall visual appeal. Additionally, Game Informer commended the game for its horrifying undead hordes and detailed environments, while TrueAchievements appreciated the visually striking setpieces and intense moments with massive zombie hordes. The game's ability to render hundreds, and sometimes thousands, of zombies on screen simultaneously has been a standout feature for many critics, creating visually stunning and intense experiences. On the other hand, several critics have pointed out various shortcomings in the graphics and visual design of World War Z. Critics such as Impulsegamer on the Nintendo Switch and Gaming Age on the PS4 mentioned issues with blurry and muddy visuals, lack of detail in environments, and limited variations in zombie designs. PC Gamer criticized the game for bland and forgettable visuals, while Game Rant noted that the semi-realistic art style lacked distinguishing features. Some critics, like Hobby Consolas and GameSpot, highlighted robotic animations, immersion-breaking glitches, and occasional technical issues like zombies getting stuck or levitating, which detracted from the overall visual experience. Overall, the consensus among critics regarding the graphics and visual design of World War Z leans towards a mixed reception. While the game excels in rendering massive hordes of zombies on screen and creating visually intense moments, it falls short in terms of overall visual polish, animation quality, and environmental detail. Critics appreciate the game's ability to deliver immersive post-apocalyptic atmospheres and thrilling encounters with zombies, but some have raised concerns about repetitive designs, technical issues, and lackluster visuals in certain versions of the game. Despite these criticisms, World War Z manages to offer a visually appealing experience with its impressive swarm movements and large-scale zombie encounters, making it a noteworthy addition to the zombie shooter genre.

TL;DR

graphics and visual design

Critics have mixed opinions on the graphics of World War Z. Praise for impressive visuals during zombie swarm sequences and post-apocalyptic city settings, but some criticize blurry visuals, lack of detail, and technical issues like stuck zombies. The game shines in rendering massive zombie hordes but falls short in overall polish and animation quality. Despite flaws, World War Z delivers visually intense moments and thrilling zombie encounters, making it a notable addition to the genre.

Music and Sound Design

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR SOUND DESIGN

Sound Score

Positive (80-100)

24%

Mixed (50-79)

64%

Negative (0-49)

12%

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the music and sound design.

The Sound Design and Music of World War Z have received a mix of positive and negative feedback from critics. Several reviewers, such as DarkStation and Impulsegamer, appreciated the immersive experience created by the sound effects, with intense music enhancing dangerous moments and drawing out hordes of zombies. JeuxActu also praised the gory and atmospheric sound effects, like blood splatters and flesh tearing noises, contributing to the overall immersion of the game. Additionally, GameGrin and DarkZero highlighted the satisfying gun sounds, enemy reactions, and impactful combat sounds that enhanced the gameplay experience. On the other hand, some critics pointed out various shortcomings in the Sound Design and Music of World War Z. Game Rant and LaPS4 mentioned uninspired and rote music, with Game Rant further noting that the soundtrack was bland and generic. AusGamers and Xbox Achievements criticized the underwhelming and unsatisfying sound effects for guns and explosives, which failed to make a significant impact. Multiplayer.it and SomosXbox highlighted the lack of capturing the apocalyptic atmosphere and the overall deficiencies in sound design and voice acting, respectively. Overall, the consensus among critics leans towards a mixed reception of the Sound Design and Music in World War Z. While some reviewers appreciated the immersive and intense experience created by the sound effects and music, others found the design lacking in capturing the atmosphere or delivering impactful audio elements. GameWatcher noted that the game features good sound design during intense moments but can become repetitive on repeated playthroughs. Despite the varying opinions, it is evident that the sound design and music play a crucial role in shaping the gameplay experience in World War Z, with room for improvement highlighted by critics such as Gameplanet and God is a Geek.

TL;DR

music and sound design

Critics are divided on the sound design and music of World War Z. Some praised the immersive experience, intense music, and satisfying gun sounds, while others criticized the uninspired music, lackluster sound effects, and failure to capture the apocalyptic atmosphere. Overall, opinions are mixed, with room for improvement highlighted by critics.

Voice Acting

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR VOICE ACTING

Acting Score

Positive (80-100)

Mixed (50-79)

75%

Negative (0-49)

25%

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the voice acting.

The voice acting in World War Z received mixed feedback from critics. Some positive aspects highlighted by reviewers include the decent voice acting mentioned by 3DJuegos, who appreciated the option for subtitles, and GameWatcher, who found the characters interesting and well-voiced. These critics acknowledged the efforts put into bringing the characters to life through voice performances, adding depth to the gameplay experience. On the other hand, several critics pointed out various negatives regarding the voice acting in World War Z. TheSixthAxis and SomosXbox criticized the voice acting as unengaging and lacking, respectively. Xbox Achievements highlighted the issue of cheesy voice acting with questionable accents that impacted the serious tone the game aimed for. Additionally, GameWatcher mentioned inconsistencies in accents, such as Russian accents alternating between Russian and French, which could detract from the immersion of the players. Overall, the consensus among the critics leans towards a more critical view of the voice acting in World War Z. While there were some positive remarks regarding the efforts put into the voice performances and character portrayal, the negatives, such as unengaging performances, questionable accents, and inconsistencies, seem to outweigh the positives. The feedback suggests that the voice acting in the game may not have fully met the expectations of the critics, impacting the overall immersion and experience for players.

TL;DR

voice acting

Critics had mixed feelings about the voice acting in World War Z. Some praised the effort put into bringing characters to life, while others criticized the unengaging performances, questionable accents, and inconsistencies. Overall, the consensus leans towards a critical view, suggesting that the voice acting did not fully meet expectations and may have detracted from the gameplay experience.

Technical Performance

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR TECHNICAL PERFORMANCE

Tech Score

Positive (80-100)

25%

Mixed (50-79)

60%

Negative (0-49)

15%

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the technical performance.

In terms of technical performance on the PlayStation 4, several critics highlighted both positive and negative aspects. Critics like Impulsegamer and PlayStation Country noted positive aspects such as stable framerate and smooth gameplay, with no major issues encountered during their playthroughs. Additionally, Impulsegamer praised the AI teammates for providing excellent support. On the other hand, negative feedback came from critics like Cubed3 and Game Rant, who emphasized severe technical issues like freezing, crashes, disconnections, and server problems that significantly impacted the gameplay experience. Cubed3 even mentioned the potential of these issues bricking consoles, urging for urgent fixes from the developers. Despite these issues, some critics like Daily Star and PlayStation Universe acknowledged that certain technical issues were addressed through patches, improving the overall experience on the PS4. Moving on to the Nintendo Switch platform, critics had mixed opinions on the technical performance of World War Z. While Pure Nintendo and But Why Tho?? praised the game for running smoothly without major issues on the Switch, Gamers' Temple and God is a Geek noted occasional framerate drops and inconsistencies with AI partners. These minor technical issues did not seem to hinder the overall performance of the game on the Nintendo Switch, with critics generally expressing satisfaction with the gameplay experience on this platform. On the Xbox One platform, reviewers had varied experiences with the technical performance of World War Z. Critics like SomosXbox and TheXboxHub commended the game for running smoothly without noticeable framerate issues, showcasing solid technical performance. However, critics such as AusGamers and GameSpew highlighted technical issues like network lag, animation problems, and matchmaking issues that affected the gameplay experience. Despite these issues, some critics like DualShockers and TrueAchievements mentioned that the game's problems were not game-breaking and could potentially be fixed in the future. Overall, the consensus among critics regarding the technical performance of World War Z across different gaming platforms is mixed. While some platforms like the Nintendo Switch received praise for running the game smoothly with minor issues, others like the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One faced more significant technical challenges such as crashes, disconnections, and server problems. Despite these issues, patches were released to address some of the technical issues, indicating ongoing efforts by the developers to improve the gameplay experience for all platforms. Critics like COGconnected and Vandal appreciated the solid technical performance and graphical presentation of the game on PC, while others like GameSpot and PC Invasion highlighted stability issues and connectivity problems that negatively impacted the overall experience.

TL;DR

technical performance

Critics had mixed opinions on the technical performance of World War Z across different gaming platforms. While the Nintendo Switch version ran smoothly with minor issues, the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One versions faced significant challenges like crashes and server problems. Patches were released to address some issues, showing ongoing efforts to improve gameplay. PC received praise for technical performance, but stability and connectivity problems were noted.

Replay Value

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR REPLAY VALUE

Replay Score

Positive (80-100)

29%

Mixed (50-79)

62%

Negative (0-49)

10%

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the replay value.

The Replay Value of World War Z has garnered mixed opinions from critics, with several highlighting the positive aspects of the game. Critics such as Game Informer and TrueAchievements commend the diverse classes, weapons, and progression systems that enhance replayability. The inclusion of multiplayer modes, cooperative and competitive, also adds to the longevity of the gameplay experience, as noted by Multiplayer.it and DarkStation. The ability to unlock new skills, weapon upgrades, and class progression through replaying missions or tackling higher difficulty levels is seen as a positive by critics like DarkZero and Xbox Achievements. Additionally, the cooperative nature of the game and the strategic gameplay mechanics are praised by SomosXbox and Hobby Consolas for providing depth and replay value. On the other hand, several critics point out the negatives that impact the Replay Value of World War Z. LaPS4 and Pure Nintendo highlight the short campaign duration as a limiting factor for replayability. Gamers Heroes, CGMagazine, and GameWatcher criticize the repetitive gameplay, lack of variety in missions, and technical issues that hinder the desire to revisit the game multiple times. IGN Spain and Generación Xbox mention the lack of innovation compared to similar games, which reduces the long-term appeal for some players. The grind required for upgraded firepower and skills, as mentioned by XboxAddict and New Game Network, can also lead to burnout and diminish the replay value for some. Overall, the consensus among critics is that World War Z offers replay value through its diverse range of classes, weapons, and multiplayer modes, as well as the progression system that encourages replaying missions on higher difficulties. While the game has its shortcomings such as repetitive gameplay, short campaign duration, and lack of innovation, the cooperative and competitive modes, along with the strategic elements, provide an enjoyable zombie-slaying experience for players looking for engaging multiplayer action. Despite varying opinions on specific aspects of replayability, the overall sentiment suggests that World War Z can offer a satisfying experience for those interested in cooperative gameplay and progression systems.

TL;DR

replay value

World War Z offers diverse classes, weapons, and multiplayer modes that enhance replayability, praised by some critics. However, others criticize the short campaign, repetitive gameplay, and lack of innovation. Despite its flaws, the game provides an engaging zombie-slaying experience for players interested in cooperative action and progression systems.

Overall Verdict

CRITIK

OVERALL SCORE DISTRIBUTION

Critik Score

Positive (80-100)

25%

Mixed (50-79)

74%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing all available reviews that scored and critiqued the game.

In analyzing the opinions of the critics, it is evident that World War Z has garnered praise for its cooperative gameplay, intense zombie hordes, and engaging multiplayer experiences. Critics such as COGconnected and DarkStation commend the game for offering thrilling gameplay reminiscent of titles like Left 4 Dead, providing players with fun and intense shooting matches. The swarm mechanics and solid graphics have been highlighted as positive aspects by The Games Machine and Wccftech, emphasizing the game's ability to deliver a familiar yet fresh shooter experience for fans of the genre. On the downside, World War Z has faced criticism for its lack of originality, technical issues, repetitive gameplay, and limited content. Gamers Heroes and PC Gamer point out the game's shortcomings in terms of creativity, story depth, and design choices, leading to a mediocre experience. Additionally, PC Invasion and Screen Rant highlight issues such as glitches, disconnects, and derivative gameplay, which hinder the overall enjoyment of the game. The lack of narrative depth and replay value has also been noted by GameWatcher and PlayStation Universe, suggesting room for improvement in future updates. Overall, the consensus among the critics leans towards World War Z being a mixed bag. While the game excels in providing a solid cooperative shooter experience with moments of excitement and intense gameplay, it falls short in delivering innovation and depth to set it apart from other titles in the genre. Critics like Push Square and DualShockers acknowledge the game's strengths in cooperative play and zombie killing thrills but express a desire for more content and improvements. Despite its flaws, World War Z manages to offer a fun time for players, especially when enjoyed with friends, as highlighted by Impulsegamer and Generación Xbox. Ultimately, the game's potential shines through its engaging gameplay mechanics and multiplayer aspects, making it a decent choice for fans of cooperative shooters, albeit with room for growth and enhancement.

TL;DR

World War Z earns praise for intense zombie battles and fun multiplayer, reminiscent of Left 4 Dead. However, critics criticize its lack of originality, technical issues, and repetitive gameplay. While it delivers a solid cooperative shooter experience, it falls short on innovation and depth. Despite its flaws, the game offers a good time for players, especially when played with friends, but there is room for improvement.

CRITIK

Reviews

145 reviews found

Gaming Age

PlayStation 4

May 8, 2019