Parents' Guide to Global Outbreak

Though not original, the start of this game plays like a fun strategic shooter. The straightforward combat makes it a gimme as far as understanding how to play and playing well. Then there's the fun upgrade system and tension-making global map showing the real-time spread of the outbreak. Alas, developer ShortRound threw a wrench into the works in the form of an irritating travel timer.

The main idea in Global Outbreak is to prevent the spread of a zombie-making virus. Hot spots bloom on the global map indicating cities under siege, and the sight creates great tension. Picking the most urgent targets is key, because reaching them takes time, and if you don't choose your destinations wisely, people die. Travel can take an hour or more, but can be sped up -- at first. When you start, you're given a power-up that puts the travel timer on fast-forward. Once it's gone, though -- say, after two battles -- your momentum stops until you buy more. Once again, players encounter the difference between fun free-to-play and the not-so-fun variety -- it's almost always because of a stingy approach to free-to-play. Here, ShortRound's (pun intended) mercenary approach squashes the fun well before you can squash the virus.