(Alright. Let's just get this foreword out of the way - this is a first-release review. Thus, it is subject to being changed as the game progresses down the line.)


So. NMRiH 2; it's finally here after years of in-and-out development. And what can I say to befit its public release, in the guise of a universal meme? How about.. Gordon Ramsay's iconic:


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With such a build-up to this next continuation's release - it really feels like it's left the oven way too early. Possibly on the premise of wanting to unveil it around the promised notion years ago by the original team, of a 'Halloween release'.

Now, I'm a die-hard supporter of the first game and team behind it, from way back in 2011. Am I disappointed with this new addition to the franchise? To be honest; no - no I'm not. Because I did not expect it to live up to the same bar the first game had set, nor exceed it.

Let's remember that NMRiH 2 is not the same as the first, for NMRiH, itself. For those of you who've been anticipating the same kind of game, you are not going to get it. It is similar, yes, but with a different formula for how it is played. This is basically a much more open-world scaled, objective-led game, and whilst there is still the threat of zombies, of course, it is more similar in game play to a cross between the STALKER series and Arizona Sunshine. And no it's not like Dying Light - you won't be jump-kicking any zombies.

Without further ado. I'll now cut through the usual 'pros and cons' of the game at this point in time. This shall help enlighten the community with what to expect if you purchase it at this point in time.


• The world for the current map by all means feels much more open, spacious, and detailed. I think it's a bit too eager to claim it's 'endlessly re-playable', albeit. There's multiple parts of the landscape you can traverse and explore, with heading to each part for the objectives. Unlike the first game, it appears it's not all restricted to 'one-by-one' objective order, making it easier for an organised team to complete.

• The melee feels much more raw, brutal, and satisfying for taking down zombies. It also varies realistically on the type of weapon you have, for its damage output. Standard objects provide a mild damage influence upon zombies, heavy deals much harder blows, and blades provide more of a ease of use upon your stamina.

• You 'do' have an option to team up in a match with friends, exclusively, rather than paired with complete randoms. I believe it gives you an option to invite others / be invited to a private lobby through some kind of party code? I will check more into this, later, however.

• There is still a shove option with the game - but be forewarned; it doesn't work to the same effect as the first game. It's not advisable to try shoving runners when you're low on stamina - keeping distance on them by moving is much more ideal.

• The ammunition types are more simplified from the first, at least for how the game stands, presently; you have a single category each for 'shells', 'pistol', 'magnum', etc, with ammo, making it easily run for each corresponding firearm class.

• The machete is still the most OP melee weapon. If you find one - do not pass it up. Trust me.

• Due to the world being much more large scale, you do not necessarily have to engage every single zombie, compared to NMRiH's many choke-point maps in the original. This offers players a reprieve to simply avoid confrontation all together, and save their ammo and health, by outpacing shamblers around them.

• Being that the game is still in an early-release stage, there are future updates and content most definitely assured, as time progresses. If you are the type of player to not want to spend the money with getting NMRiH 2, now - you are not really missing anything for an experience, so waiting until later with more patches is always a valid decision.


• There is presently a severe issue with the games multiplayer being unstable; expect to see some spontaneous zombie position reverting and general latency / slight movement warp issues all-round.

• There is no more radial inventory system, like the first had. Prepare to have to manually sort your inventory to hotkey slots, making your character halted whilst doing so. Do not sort your inventory with zombies in your immediate vicinity, for the best advice.

• Yes, there are no child zombies - yet. They will 'eventually' be added.

• The new team behind the development didn't retain the original devs assets for the weapon arsenal Maxx showcased in preview footage from years ago. Instead, they are building it back from the ground up. I'd of genuinely appreciated a 1911 to at least be already available..

• Whilst running and general movement fatigue is better than the first - NMRiH 2 is being impeded by its melee attack stamina. Three simple swings from a charged attack with a starting, length of pipe weapon renders your character to start having tunnel vision, as if they are suffering an iron deficiency.. When you think about the stamina system in the original game, that made more sense for survivors to be malnourished and barely scraping by. With these new survivors; being from a settlement where they are trained and armed for the worlds hazards - it really seems to be ironic they can become so easily exhausted.

• There appears to be no localised game lobbies, as of yet. Thus, you will be thrown into any random lineup with people from other parts of the world, many whom don't speak a word of English, making it near-impossible to communicate through microphones. Be prepared that not everyone you encounter will be able to understand you.

• The current game build features expected bugs such as audio, hit registration, and other glitch issues. As this is a game just starting to walk under its own power, take that into mind it will be needing future patches to problem-solve.


N.A - I shall decide a score upon future work added to the game, later.