Here’s How You’ll Play ZombiU Without The Wii U Gamepad

While ZombiU met with mixed reviews at the Wii U’s launch, it was one of the most profound examples of how the Gamepad could be used for new game mechanics. In the original version, players would use the device as both a map and the backpack interface. While rummaging for items, the game didn’t pause, so keeping your wits about you was necessary.

Ubisoft’s Hélène Henry, producer on Zombi (the Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and PC version) explains how the game has been adapted for play without the second screen. “Rummaging in the backpack still doesn’t pause the game. We’ve added a dedicated button to access the backpack, which lets players see their full inventory and assign shortcut keys,” Henry says.

The minimap will appear and fade on screen as necessary, and the sound balancing that made use of the gamepad has been adjusted for surround systems to replicate it as closely as possible. “There has been a slight increase in the field of view,” Henry says, “and players can increase and decrease it a little if they want to, but not so much that it takes away that claustrophobic feeling. Some work was also undertaken on the control mapping and response to improve the look and feel of the first-person movement.”

Two new melee weapons have been added beyond the cricket bat in the original. A shovel will let you hit more than one zombie at a time and a nail bat offers greater damage and critical chance. The flashlight has also been adjusted, so that players can opt for a wider, further shining beam in exchange for battery consumption. You’ll also need to keep it off for a full 30 seconds to recharge, making flashlight usage a more meaningful choice. 

The only thing missing in the port is the single-system multiplayer. Without the second-screen available, Ubisoft opted to focus on the single-player mode. 

Zombi is due out on August 18 for Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and PC. For more, you can see the announcement trailer in our coverage from yesterday.

[Source: Ubisoft]

Our Take
I enjoyed ZombiU mostly for its use of the Gamepad screen. It’s a shame that Nintendo hasn’t been able to capitalize on that feature like it did with the DS and 3DS dual-screens.