The Midnight Walkers is an amalgamation of some sudden influences. The hardcore survival and extraction components of Escape From Tarkov. The character-based zombie slaying of Useless Island 2. The backdrop of a messed-up, Squid Recreation-style leisure present. It is an odd combine, on paper, however one that mixes loads higher than you’d count on. At Gamescom, I received to mess around half an hour of The Midnight Walkers, and whereas I could not get a full style of its aggressive, extraction-driven gameplay loop, I did see some early indicators of promise from what’s already an extremely atmospheric zombie recreation.
Set contained in the Liberty Grand Centre – a tower block with over a dozen flooring all related with stairwells and elevators – The Midnight Walkers ditches a sprawling open world in favor of one thing extra compact and vertical. A gaggle of crooked elites on this post-outbreak world has assembled a survival gauntlet that throws a number of groups into the loot-filled, zombie-packed constructing. The aim is to seize as a lot loot as you’ll be able to and attain an extraction pod with out dying – should you perish contained in the Liberty Grand, you’ll be able to wave goodbye to no matter you had on you on the time. It is an intriguing idea for followers of the best zombie games and extraction video games alike.
Whereas I could not expertise any of The Midnight Walkers’ chaotic multiplayer components (my Gamescom demo was a solo, PvE-only affair), I did get correctly swept up in its environment. From the parking zone on the base of the tower, by way of to the hospital, on line casino, and TV studio ranges, the sick Squid Recreation wannabes behind the Liberty Grand have, admittedly, completed an honest job creating difficult and darkish ranges that keep away from feeling repetitive and samey.
Image the scene: the elevator pings, and the doorways slide open, revealing what would’ve as soon as been your common company workplace area, however now it has been devastated by the undead (and previous contestants, little doubt). Zombies pop up from behind overturned desks, swipe at your ft as they crawl by way of vents, and crash by way of ceiling tiles. Taking part in because the character Lockdown, I am outfitted with a deadly composite bow, however for each enemy I take out with a well-placed arrow, it seems like one other three or 4 emerge. It isn’t overwhelming, however it’s definitely intense. I used to be a tad dissatisfied with the number of zombies, each from a visible and gameplay perspective, however given that is nonetheless an early model of the sport, I count on that there is extra work to be completed in that division. The environments, nevertheless, are a distinct story – the degrees I received to discover have been all tremendous eerie, excelled at mixing open areas with tighter choke factors, and have been full of grisly particulars.
I seize as many high-value objects as I can, Tetris-ing them into my Tarkov-style stock, earlier than the inevitable occurs. A warning message and timer seem on display screen, telling me this ground will quickly be off limits as poisonous fuel is pumped in. That is how The Midnight Walkers retains contestants transferring and squeezes groups into moments of battle. It isn’t some repetitive, predictable ‘closing of the storm’ that you just see in quite a lot of extraction and battle royale games – flooring are chosen randomly at intervals all through a match, so that you by no means know whether or not you will be compelled up or down, to unexplored flooring, or ones you’ve got already ransacked. Elevators and stairwells help you transfer between ranges and are protected areas from the fuel, so you’ll be able to bypass poisonous flooring if it’s essential. Be aware that they may not be protected areas from enemy groups mendacity in ambush, although.
The extraction mechanic sees you find escape pods utilizing a scanner, which can begin to beep and information you in the correct course once you’re inside a couple of metres of 1. These will take a number of seconds to unlock, and the one room I discovered with a pod in it was extraordinarily crowded with zombies – a lot in order that I used to be clobbered earlier than I may even begin the unlocking course of. So, count on some hectic conditions from each the zombs and different gamers once you’re ready to make your escape.
By way of fight, The Midnight Walkers goes for a hero-style strategy, with a number of characters that include distinctive loadouts. As talked about, Lockdown is the ranged choice, together with his bow offering efficient injury should you’re exact. Nonetheless, he did really feel a bit clunky and one-note – since my Gamescom demo, although, a rework of this class has been introduced. I additionally received a couple of minutes with Brick, who wields a large sledgehammer. Swinging this melee weapon round positively felt extra satisfying, and it actually highlighted the sport’s spectacular flesh injury and dismemberment, however I as soon as once more would not name it refined or easy.
I believe the general loop right here is a superb one. I initially thought pod scanners and gas-immune stairwells would make navigating the sport a bit too straightforward, however in fact I used to be experiencing this with out another gamers out to kill me. Fight definitely wants some work, and a few extra variation by way of enemies would not go amiss, however I am very eager to expertise The Midnight Walkers once more, with a squad, and with some PvP moments too. The Liberty Grand makes for an intense and immersive location for post-apocalyptic leisure, so let’s hope the motion finally ends up being as wonderful as the sector.
