Game:

Zombies Ate My Neighbors (1993)

Duration: 2:07

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11

Okay! After that brief distraction, we get to something a bit easier... though, I suppose it's definitely possible to lose a Victim from the very first level. Usually for it to happen that early on is based on some collision detection issues where you don't count as collecting them before they get touched. To be fair, this can and often does work out in your favor instead, but sometimes it just goes the other way on you...

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Level 2: Evening of the Undead

--welp, can't say as I've ever lost THAT one that I can recall. Usually it's an Explorer or a Teacher based on their relative remoteness and a couple obstacles in the way before otherwise open areas for Zombies to shuffle around in. Oh well, at least there's 9 more where he came from! ...poor sap. He was just so scared! (Most victims don't even know enough to be afraid of the danger they're in!)

Anyway, if the first level was more about learning how the game works in a fairly gentle and safe environment, both for our heroes and our hapless neighbors, this one is more about upping the ante in small ways, like introducing the more mazelike tendencies for later stages and how this complicates matters somewhat when it comes to keeping those grubby undead mitts off those sweet, sweet point-bearers... er, I mean our friendly... erm... the neighbors. Yeah, let's just stick with that.

The other thing Evening of the Undead establishes is a wider array of collectibles and goodies to use later without any pressing need to use them... yet. Because whether you know it now, this game's in it for the long haul, and you better be also, or you're going to be in SUCH trouble... so while it's tempting to test them out in this nonthreatening environment, be sure that you keep the rarer bits in your pockets for when they're going to come in handy much later.

Then again, HOW are you supposed to know the exact properties of some of these things except by experimentation? Well, there IS always experimentation, because I guarantee that nobody's winning Zombies Ate My Neighbors going in blind. There's also a weird little piece of staples and glossy paper called the instruction manual that doesn't tell the whole story, but definitely helps paint a picture before you even get into context. (What madness am I up to with THAT notion, though?!)

There's also a little in-built tendency for these most valuable tools and weapons to be sorely limited in supply. You get HUNDREDS of Squirtgun shots per pickup, but only FIVE Bazooka shells. Most items come one-per, with exceptions like the Decoy giving you several to play with.

Game balance? Maybe. Subtle hint to the player across the fourth wall? You tell me!

One other bit of new content to be aware of is "money" pickups, since there's no actual currency in this game... they're kinda weird, right? They're also notable for just vigorously FLYING right off the screen with a little flourishy jingle like the one you get for saving a Victim. Thus, it should come as little surprise and maybe a good reason to watch the meaningless numbers at the top of the screen that you're getting POINTS for them. Neat!

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