DEAD AGE Review for Xbox One

I have seen many turn-based combat games in my life, but none have equated to the peculiarity of Dead Age for Xbox One. After the zombie apocalypse happens, some are strong enough to survive and others succumb to the vicious bite of the undead. Headup Games has created a turn-based combat game that tests a player’s ability to survive post-apocalypse. This combination of survival and turn-based combat have come together to create the perfect catastrophe. The controls are stiff, graphics outdated, and the gameplay stagnant. The attempt is to thrive in an abstract horror genre, but the execution of this concept is highly flawed by merging it with console.

Fluidity is weak in Dead Age’s gameplay. At first, I felt optimism in the storyline, however, it quickly becomes awkward as the narrator’s voice cannot be found. This inner-battle for footing between second-person and an omniscient presence creates a lack of immersion for players and I could not help but feel deterred from the game altogether. If narration had been stronger, perhaps the story would have appeared stronger.

Because the storyline is stiff, it offers no assistance in keeping this turn-based game even moderately enjoyable. In the beginning it is promising players may find themselves on a dangerous, unrelenting search to find their sister, however, this is not the case and it abruptly ends within minutes. This does not create a sense of adrenaline or excitement for the game but makes the writers seem lazy as if they got bored with their own story!

One thing I enjoyed in Dead Age were the unique characters. The zombie’s personality traits in Dead Age make up for some of the faults in the game. By making multiple species of zombies, the game difficulty significantly increases and so does the entertainment value. Certain zombies have special attributes which can increase the likelihood of death, but if players pay attention to the special tips provided, they can easily defeat their foes quicker.

The turn-based style of Dead Age is an excellent attempt but falls short due to the awkward controls which were clearly designed for PC. The entire time I was playing this game I felt as if I should be on a computer. In other words, it should not be on console. There was a complete lack of comfort in the controls. As if they hadn’t differentiated the PC and console version whatsoever, this turn-based combat game narrowly utilizes any Xbox buttons for combat or item selection.

There are a few perks to Dead Age like the achievements which players can earn or the online community which they can become a part of, but I would say without a doubt this game belongs on PC, not console. If Dead Age is free to download, perhaps get it but I would not suggest buying it. The gameplay is lacking, and the controls do not compliment what someone would expect from a turn-based combat game.

Check Out the DEAD AGE Xbox One Release Trailer:

Dead Age is available now on Xbox One and PC via Steam.