SEGA AM1 team delivers a thrilling visceral shooter (The House Of The Dead: Overkill (Wii))

Member Name: bigkahunaburger

Product:	The House Of The Dead: Overkill (Wii)
Date:	23/06/09 (8 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Satisfying gameplay, beautiful graphics and a great soundtrack

Disadvantages: Stuttering can detract from enjoyment on occasion

[Please Note] I tested both the Nintendo Wii Zapper and House of the Dead Official Magnum with the game. I found the Magnum to be far more satisfying to use and also easier to play with.

The House of the Dead overkill is an all new Wii game from Sega. Rather than being an arcade port, this is an all new version for the Wii, built from the ground up. Unlike all previous console versions, this game is not an arcade conversion but a standalone game from the original House of the Dead team AM1. This game is a breath of fresh air for Wii owners who finally have something to play that isn't the standard 'shovelware' that Nintendo seem so intent on cramming down our throats these days.

This is a unique game for the Wii. It features stylish 'grind house' visuals and is geared towards adults rather than children, due in no small part to the gratuitous violence and swearing (note the 18 BBFC rating). What sets this apart from similar games such as Ghost Squad and Umbrella Chronicles, is the games longevity. Overkill delivers on the promise of a lengthy single player game- about 5 hours on average by my reckoning, which if far longer than other lightgun titles.

The games stylish grind-house visuals are evident in the exciting and well designed levels. The visuals manage to enhance the tension no end and the soundtrack doesn't fail to impress either, with decent music and great sound effects.

The key to this game being so immensely enjoyable is in the satisfaction provided by gunning down hordes of the undead. There is a smaller choice of weaponry than in other titles but they are all exciting to use and add some variety to dispatching the groups of zombies that you will encounter. You can even shoot limbs off before finishing the enemy with a well placed head shot.

There are a few transition pauses which can cause the game to stutter and this can cause you to miss the occasional shot. This doesn't happen too often but it is annoying when it does and can detract from the fun of the game.

House of the Dead Overkill delivers a unique, uncompromising experience that makes it a must own for the more mature Wii owner. Though there are a few niggles which detract from the enjoyment, there is still an overwhelming amount of fun to be had with this game.

Summary: A unique, uncompromising experience- must own for fans of shooters