Zombie Rollerz: The Last Ship review

Plenty of games merge genres. But Zombie Rollerz: The Last Ship pushes at the boundaries of hybridization, blending qualities from several different kinds of games. Not only are players burdened with overseeing tower defense-style turrets, but they’ll also use these weapons to rip through bullet heaven-style crowds. Unsuspectingly, roguelike qualities are found in the selection of random power-ups and meta-game progression. And if all that wasn’t enough, you’ll also have to worry about maintaining a squad, much like Bomber Crew.

At its core, Zombie Rollerz invites players to command the last surviving ship in a world overrun by the undead. But what separates the game from its dystopian peers is the sheer amount of multitasking expected from you. It’s deliberately hectic, routinely tossing several simultaneous duties at players. Success is found in prioritizing each peril and making the best decision to subdue each threat. When I’m playing The Last Ship, I’m both having a great time and getting stressed, vaguely mirroring the dissonance of a scream-worthy horror film.

Machine Gun, Flamethrowers, Shields, and More

Rollerz’ tower defense mechanics are one of the game’s rudiments. Regularly, you’re constantly scanning for any weak points in your ship’s defense system. Often that means placing and upgrading turrets positioned on the edges of your ship. But unlike many tower defense titles you’re not a passive observer. Instead, you’re driving your massive vehicle, picking up currency and materials while avoiding damage-inflicting zombies and crashing into things. Even when Vampire Survivor-sized mobs are descending on you, it’s worthwhile to check if one of your turrets or your ship can be upgraded.

Yes, that means you’re rarely standing still. The screen habitually is overrun with projectiles, enemies, and environmental hazards, demanding quick reflexes and being able to remember where you left behind a power-up on the battlefield. Naturally, the chaos is exhilarating. The satisfaction of carving a path through seemingly insurmountable odds is palpable.

That said, The Last Ship never lets you get too comfortable. Each unlocked stage introduces new enemy types or environmental twists like a tightening wall of poison gas. As such, you’ll need to experiment with new unlocked weapons or perks and grow better at learning how to adapt to new challenges.

RNG Complications but Lenience Through Unlockables

Roguelike features further deepen the experience. Each run is shaped by random power-ups, upgrades, and crew members you encounter, providing distinction to each run. A meta-progression system gradually unlocks new ship parts and abilities. Sure, there’s a bit of grinding before you level-up and gain access to new perks, but there’s a sense of progression, even if you fail.  And make no mistake, your ship will be destroyed regularly. Zombie Rollerz isn’t easy.

Crew management is the final, and perhaps most unexpected component. Your ship’s survival hinges not just on firepower, but on the well-being and synergy of your crew. Each member brings unique bonuses and rotating their job to cover an emerging catastrophe adds another wrinkle to the sense of chaos. Deciding when to risk a rescue or how to utilize your limited resources for maximum benefit can make or break a run.

The Spirited Undead

When it comes to performance, Zombie Rollerz revolves efficiently. On portable PCs like Steam Deck and ROG Ally, frame rates are fluid, and the built-in controller support allows almost all survival-driven tasks to be accomplished without fuss. Although there are leisurely load time gauges at the start of each run, that’s the game’s only idle moment.

Zombie Rollerz: The Last Ship masterful genre-blend, delivering a frenetic, multitasking-heavy experience. The constant shifting between tower defense, bullet-heaven action, roguelike unpredictability, and crew management creates a distinctive gameplay loop that stands out among its peers. This is a game that relishes chaos, and rewards players who can find order within it.

Zombie Rollerz: The Last Ship was played on PC with review code provided by the publisher.