It’s always a good feeling to have you guys and girls contribute to the blog.  (even those of you who do it just for Medals you Medal freaks)  Here’s another community driven article from your very own ShiftTab.  He’s becoming quite the author of Top 5 lists isn’t he?  I hope you’ll enjoy reading up on his frightful journey down the Xbox’s library of “zombie games”.

Community Piece

Now I know that many of you didn’t agree completely with my previous article on the Top 5 “budget friendly” Arcade titles and I can understand some of your arguments.  However, I’ve been in a deep Sci-Fi mood these days.  It all started this year for some odd reason.  Anyways, I’m here to present you with another article and this it’s the Top 5 Zombie Titles for Xbox 360.

#5 Stubbs The Zombie in Rebel Without a Pulse

Some of you may or may not have heard of this game.  I’m not sure if it is the first of its kind, but this is one of the only games that I know where you play as a zombie.  Let me say that again, you’re the zombie!  Although this isn’t an Xbox 360 title, it was re-released onto the Marketplace last year.  When I played this game, I thought zombies were chasing me at first until I realized they were actually following me.

You play as a zombie named Stubbs and you go across different areas eating brains and turning humans into zombies to help you along your way.  It’s definitely an interesting and unique concept.  It has a mix of action and comedy.  One the most memorable moments in the game is using your hand to leach onto humans to possess their bodies.  And one of the most unforgettable moments is infecting a pool with your zombie piss.  Yes you actually whip out your zombie love stick.

Release Date: October 18, 2005 (May 19, 2008 on Marketplace)
Overall Reviews: 7-8

#4 Resident Evil 5

You may be wondering why this is #4.  The gameplay movement is not the greatest of its kind.  I’m more of a fast paced action type of gamer.  (I was never a fan of not being able to shoot and move at the same time)  However, that doesn’t mean this game isn’t great.  It’s one of the most beautiful games I’ve ever seen.

I do have to mention that it is a bit stiff in character movement.  I don’t know exactly how to explain it, but it doesn’t feel fluid like other 3rd person shooters.  However, for Resident Evil fans, you don’t need me to tell you how good this game is because I’m sure it’s already in your collection by now.

Release Date: March 13, 2009
Overall Reviews: 8-9

#3 Left 4 Dead

This is one scary game.  I remember playing this game online with 3 other friends for the first time and all I could hear was someone on the other end screaming constantly because of the zombies that were chasing him.  As in any zombie scenario, it’s difficult to stay alive if you’re the only one fighting against them.

Left 4 Dead involves teamwork.  There isn’t one hero that does all the work.  Everyone has to work together in order to survive.  I can’t recommend playing this game by yourself because it’s much more exciting to have actual players controlling the other characters.  Not to mention, hearing your friends scream like a sissy on the other end is quite the experience.

Release Date: November 17, 2008
Overall Reviews: 8-9

#2 Call of Duty: World At War (Zombie Mode)

Call of Duty: World at War wasn’t praised too much by the fans of the series.  A few have mentioned that they can’t stand the weapons (because of Modern Warfare) and have refused to play the game online except when it comes to Zombie Mode.

Now this is a fierce type of gameplay that is intense at every moment.  Sure you get a 10 second break between rounds, but I’ve had games that lasted up to 2 hours and I was on the edge of my seat every round.  You’re in a team of 4 and Nazi zombies constantly attack your base trying to get inside and eat you alive.  You earn money by killing them and you can use that money to upgrade weapons.  The system is comprised of rounds with each round getting more and more difficult.

Release Date: November 11, 2008
Overall Reviews: 7-9

#1 Dead Rising

Dead Rising is a title that I’ll never forget.  I have never seen more zombies in a game than this one.  Everything in this game is a weapon.  Like the classic movie “Dawn of the Dead”, this game brings that same concept of being trapped in a mall full of zombies.  However, there is a catch.  You only have 72 hours to save as many people and solve every mystery in the game.
 It’s an intense game and definitely worth playing if you haven’t picked it up yet.  You play as a journalist named Frank and the name of the game is killing zombies in any way possible.

Since the game focuses heavily on the 72 hour gameplay, certain missions will only be available during specific times which add to the style of gameplay.  However, if you do miss that hour, there isn’t really a chance to go back unless you load a previous save.  Capcom definitely raises the bar in creating zombie games.  This title is one of their finest.

Release Date: August 8, 2006
Overall Reviews: 8-9

That is the Top 5 Xbox Zombie Titles.  For those of you who love to kill some zombies, you should be looking forward to Dead Rising 2 and Call of Duty: World at War’s new map pack that’s now available.  As you may have noticed, I used the word intense a few times which should be the only emotion going through your mind because zombie games are all about intensity.

These 5 zombie titles are my favorite by far and if you haven’t experienced any zombie game or you say it’s just not your thing, I say that you give one of these titles a shot and experience what it is like to be hunted by brain eating monsters.

Until another Top 5 comes along, I bid you happy gaming!

-ShiftTab