Sorry to say, but I didn’t quite enjoy my time with World War Zero. I don’t find old FPS games objectionable (quite the opposite!), but this one just didn’t click with me. It’s the only title 4X Studio ever developed and while I’m sure Rebellion did their best to smooth over the rougher edges, it shows in comparison to other shooters in the same genre. Level design started out strong in the muddy trenches of Forever World War One, yet quickly fell apart: wide and lifeless street followed by another identical-looking street, reused building interiors with an almost identical floor plan, laughable invisible wall barricades (like an overturned kitchen table!) to force you to take the scenic route, and an overall lack of detail. Barren with only one exception, that is town square with its city hall and statue. Then we move on to a secret laboratory with a repetitive maze of identical corridors. After that, we ride the train to Berlin to navigate through yet more copy-paste hallways and tunnels. Thought the Reichstag would offer anything out of the ordinary, however it was probably the most repetitive level as it turned out!

Apart from the flamethrower and occasional muzzle flash, there didn’t seem to be much action from the lighting engine, adding to the overall drab and depressing look. Same from the ambient soundscape, but this one is likely intentional. Subdued and sombre fit the horrors of WW1 better than something bombastic. Animations and textures of all types looked dated already by 2002 standards. AI was… there was an AI? Aside from the rare scripted scene, I guess. The stealth system seemed just plain nonfunctional. However, perhaps the biggest missteps have to be the way how two systems function: weapon switching and saving the game. Firstly, it doesn’t seem possible to assign hotkeys (as in 1-0) for certain guns, nor do these appear to be arranged in any logical order. Instead, selecting works by mousewheel up/down and confirming your order with the fire button. There’s a second button allowing you to assign a single secondary weapon for quick swapping, but it’s finicky and didn’t work properly. This completely restricted my tactical options in combat as I couldn’t even throw a particular type of grenade in a hurry like in any other FPS!

As for the other point, World War Zero has the worst of both worlds: no F5 quicksaving, no automatic checkpoints. Nope, the player has to frequently interact with little computers in the game world to save with takes about 12 distinct button presses. Every single time.

One a more positive note, the movement felt accurate and responsive, there were tons of guns and other weapons to try out (when I could select them), gunplay and balance seemed acceptable and enemies weren’t complete bullet sponges either. I also liked the little snippets and propaganda reels, fleshing out the universe and telling us how figures like JF Kennedy, Adolf Hitler and The Beatles are doing in this alternate reality of 1964. The backstory is interesting but did require a healthy dose of suspension of disbelief. I know this perpetual war is essential fought for fun and shareholder’s profit, but 50 years of total war considering that all countries participating in real life WW1 were absolutely exhausted after only four? No way. Trench warfare despite the invention of main battle tanks, helicopters, military jet aircraft, missile artillery and computer tech more advanced than actual 1964? Yeah, right…

Furthermore, the game made little effort to introduce me to various characters or lay down the plot in an immersive way. Consequently, I felt zero personal connection to anyone or had any investment during the Big Reveal. And the Evil Mastermind just appeared out of nowhere for one boss fight without introduction or backstory, so all his gloating and taunting went right over my head.

Overall, I wasn’t particularly impressed by World War Zero. Not horrid, not terrible, but painfully bland and below average even by the standards of 2002. I’ve played many old FPS games such as Unreal, Klingon Honor Guard, Deus Ex and Star Trek Elite Force, just to name a few. All of which were released earlier and did most if not all things better. At least it didn’t overstay its welcome too much by clocking in at about four hours.

It's an okay remaster, but the game is very short and can be finished in 3+ hours.

Good gun variety and atmosphere with occasional tidbits of interesting story.

Control is tedious and slow moving.

Buy at discount