Welcome to ParadiZe, developed by Eko Software and published by Nacon, presents an intriguing blend of open-world survival, action, and strategy set in a vibrant but chaotic zombie apocalypse. Unlike many other games in the genre that emphasize bleak and oppressive atmospheres, ParadiZe stands out by offering a colorful and somewhat tongue-in-cheek take on surviving a world overrun by the undead. At its core, the game centers around capturing zombies and converting them into controllable “Zombots,” mechanical extensions of yourself that can fight alongside you, gather resources, and help fortify your base. This concept adds a fresh twist to traditional zombie survival gameplay and provides players with both tactical depth and a sense of ownership over their growing army of allies.

The gameplay loop revolves heavily around exploration, combat, resource management, and base-building. The open world of ParadiZe is surprisingly varied, ranging from lush forests to arid deserts, each offering distinct environments that require different survival strategies. As players traverse these zones, they encounter a variety of zombie types, some more dangerous and unique than others, such as the memorable zombified elephant, Miss Daisy. Capturing and upgrading Zombots is a satisfying process that encourages experimentation—deciding which zombies to convert and how to deploy them strategically during fights or while defending your camp adds an engaging layer to the experience. The game also supports both solo play and cooperative multiplayer with up to four players, enhancing the enjoyment as you team up to tackle waves of zombies and explore the dangerous world together.

Visually, Welcome to ParadiZe strikes a different tone compared to typical zombie games. The world is rendered in bright, vivid colors that contrast starkly with the grim nature of its setting, offering a more playful and accessible vibe. Character designs and environments are cartoonish but detailed enough to maintain immersion, and the overall aesthetic is approachable rather than terrifying. Combat is fast-paced and generally satisfying, with a range of weapons available for players to find, craft, and customize. The mix of melee and ranged options, combined with the support from your Zombots, provides multiple tactical approaches to encounters, keeping combat from feeling repetitive early on.

However, the game’s promise begins to falter over longer play sessions. Many players and critics have noted that the gameplay loop can become repetitive, with missions often devolving into variations of fetch quests or defending bases from waves of enemies without significant variation. While the base-building mechanics exist and offer some creativity, they lack the depth and complexity found in other survival titles, making that aspect feel somewhat shallow. Additionally, the Zombot AI, which is supposed to be one of the game’s unique selling points, can sometimes behave unpredictably—failing to execute commands properly or getting stuck in the environment, which interrupts the flow of gameplay and can cause frustration.

Technical issues further impact the experience. Reports of occasional freezes, frame rate drops, and limited camera control options have been common, diminishing the smoothness of exploration and combat. The game also suffers from an overwhelming abundance of loot and crafting materials that can clutter inventories and detract from the focus of survival and combat. These factors collectively create a sense that the game needed more polish and balancing before release, and while patches have addressed some concerns, certain problems still linger.

Despite these drawbacks, Welcome to ParadiZe shines in its willingness to offer a fresh perspective on zombie survival. It doesn’t take itself too seriously, often injecting humor and lighthearted moments that are rare in this genre. The cooperative multiplayer mode is a definite highlight, allowing players to share the chaotic fun of building and fighting alongside friends. Though it may not push boundaries or deliver a deeply immersive or innovative experience, it stands as a solid choice for players looking for a fun, casual, and colorful take on surviving the undead apocalypse. For those willing to overlook some mechanical roughness and repetitive missions, the game provides enough entertainment value through its unique Zombot system and vibrant world to warrant a playthrough or two.

Rating: 8/10

This game is good not sure what’s up with the mixed reviews.