(AfroGamers.com) Survival games have been my jam lately—especially those of the zombie survival persuasion. There are a couple of these titles floating about and one that really hits the spot is Last Day on Earth: Survival for the iOS and Android.
For a 3D mobile game going with the isometric approach, Last Day on Earth: Survival plays extremely well. That’s not a knock on other games that tried the same, it’s just that this game is so smooth even on the highest graphics setting. Little lag and choppiness—none of that. The game plays and you get to enjoy it with little instances of rage because the game had some hiccups.
Last Day on Earth: Survival’s Gameplay
Now, I tend to play it on a lower setting just because I’m used to it and you really get zero lag. This is important in any game but in relation to this game—where you have to be very fast with the attack button—you’re good to go.
That brings up another thing: combat and movement. Both are pretty easy, this is actually one of the first 3D mobile game I’ve enjoyed that used the virtual thumbsticks and I wasn’t enraged because something didn’t register. Kefir! really did their work here because it would’ve been the make or break element for the game.
Last Day on Earth: Survival has a number of mechanics that you could find in The Outlived, a similar game also on mobile. LDoES takes from mobile strategy games where you’re assigned a spot in a serve’s game world and you have an energy bank but those are where the similarities end. Scavenging, crafting, and construction are key since you need a sturdy dwelling when a zombie horde runs through your spot.
There is a leveling mechanic here where you get points towards crafting as well as the opportunity to learn survival skills while out scavenging at different sites. Just like in The Walking Dead where humans are the most dangerous predator, other players can be extremely threatening—especially if they’re armored and armed to the teeth.
Lastly, the first feature you’ll run into is the character customization. It’s not the most extensive feature but it’s definitely better than The Outlived’s attempt at this and gives players some uniqueness while running about the wasteland.
Verdict
Last Day on Earth: Survival is a rock-solid survival game that doesn’t go full into hyper sci-fi territory. There are some minor issues here and there such as an annoying energy bank that limits what you can do in a sitting.
I swear that thing replenishes at a snail’s pace too. The thing is, you won’t have to use any energy if you just select “Walk” instead of “Run” when moving from location to location. Of course, that’s easy to say before you find out that other players can enter the same location and scavenge. That means all that work and energy you wasted going back and forth to clear out zombies could be snagged easily.
That aside, the game looks good, combat is easy and hits are responsive, and the time you sink into it is rewarded. On top of that, there really isn’t a tutorial. Normally, this would be a bit of problem but since tutorials range from extremely skimp—where LDoES dwells—and hand holding, this game went with the right end of the scale. It drops you into the zombie apocalypse and expects you to make your own way by making most of the mechanics as self-explanatory as possible.
Kudos Kefir!
Rating: 8.5 out of 10 (Highly Recommended)
Staff Writer; M. Swift
This talented writer is also a podcast host, and comic book fan who loves all things old school. One may also find him on Twitter at; metalswift.