Hey all, I’m back with another game review for a turn-based strategy title on the Nintendo Switch. It’s Gunslingers and Zombies.
Gameplay: Gunslingers and Zombies plays like most other turn-based strategy games in that you first maneuver units into position to attack enemies, and then avoid being attacked in turn. It gets harder as the game progresses to deal with zombies from far away.
The gameplay is pretty solid in Gunslingers and Zombies. It just isn’t really as enthralling or captivating like when playing something like Final Fantasy Tactics or Fire Emblem. Partly, this is because the plotline is nearly non-existent. Some dialogue appears in the loading screen and can be easily missed by the player, but that is about it. We don’t get much of a background or an overarching goal other than to kill the zombies and live.
Another part that makes Gunslingers and Zombies challenging is the rather abysmal ammo situation. You’ll frequently run out of ammo well before a mission ends, and that’s incredibly annoying to deal with. It also really doesn’t reflect well on the actual title of the game, it’s not Cowboys and Zombies, it’s Gunslingers and Zombies.
Being reduced to knifing bad guys is really not what I was expecting to have to do in a game about gunslingers. Oh, sure there are ways around that, like being better positioned so you don’t miss your shots. Or you can switch weapons to another one with more ammo. But because the word gun is in the title, the fact that guns can quickly become a relatively non-factor in stopping the zombie hordes is somewhat disappointing.
Art: The art is very polygonal, but we won’t hold that against a title on Steam for PC Players that can be picked up for less than $5. It’s also available for the Nintendo Switch if you prefer playing with that console where turn-based strategy games are little bit rarer. Some people also really like the polygonal look, and if you do, then Gunslingers and Zombies has certainly got that.
Music: The music isn’t anything to write home about. It’s just kind of there. Frankly, I didn’t pay much attention to it after a bit. But it does its job providing something to listen to in the background.
Overall: Gunslingers and Zombies could be a good choice for those looking for an introduction to the world of turn-based strategy games without getting too overloaded. However, most people who play these kinds of games regularly will probably find a lot more meat, and challenge, elsewhere.
For those who like: Strategy, turn-based combat, zombies, and the Wild West as a setting.
Not for those who don’t like: Any of the above, titles with non-existent stories, or those that promise a lot of gunplay and then only partially deliver, putting a much bigger emphasis on hand-to-hand combat – especially in the late stages of a level.