Common Sense Media Review
By Marc Saltzman
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Extremely violent survival horror game flowing in blood.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 18+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Play
Videos and Photos
ZombiU
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 9 parent reviews
Based on 16 kid reviews
Kids say the game is a mixed bag, with many highlighting its intense survival elements, realistic graphics, and strong violence and gore, making it suitable primarily for mature audiences. Despite some criticisms regarding gameplay repetition and difficulty, many younger players and parents appreciate the strategic features, though they advise caution due to its scares and mature content.
- mature audience
- survival elements
- violence and gore
- mixed reviews
- strategic gameplay
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's It About?
Ubisoft's ZOMBIU -- as the name suggests -- is a zombie thriller designed for Nintendo's new Wii U video game console. The first-person survival horror game drops players in the middle of London, England, during modern times, to fight back against a zombie outbreak that has infected the majority of the population. Unlike other zombie games like Resident Evil or Dead Island, players assume the role of a different survivor every time they perish -- which allows them to find and kill their old infected character and recover their equipment to stay alive longer. Another unique feature is the use of Nintendo's new GamePad controller, which serves as the player's survival kit that contains weapons, maps, tools, and supplies. The game also offers multiplayer modes.
Is It Any Good?
ZombiU isn't bad, but it's not one of the strongest launch titles for the Wii U either. For one, the combat is repetitive and somewhat lackluster. As in other zombie games, you'll use various weapons -- melee and ranged -- to take down the flesh-eating undead before they can infect you. What does add nicely to the tension is using the Wii U GamePad because when you look down and open you inventory on the screen, the action doesn't stop around you. Also, the missions, environments, and puzzles aren't as interesting as other games in this space. At least the multiplayer modes add more excitement, including an Adversarial mode that allows one player to take on the role of "Zombie Master" that spawns enemies from a top-down view on the Nintendo Wii U GamePad, while the second player fights for survival on the big screen in first-person view (with Wii wireless classic controller). Overall, however, fans of zombie lore should wait until this one hits the bargain bins.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the impact of media violence.
Families can also talk about playing on the Wii U. Does having the GamePad make the gaming feel different?
Game Details
- Platform : Nintendo Wii U
- Subjects : Language & Reading : following directions , reading , Social Studies : geography
- Skills : Thinking & Reasoning : applying information , decision-making , investigation , Collaboration : meeting challenges together
- Pricing structure :
- Available online? : Available online
- Publisher : UbiSoft
- Release date : November 18, 2012
- Genre : Survival Horror
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic )
- ESRB rating :
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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