Deadlings Review

Combining zombies and physics puzzling, Deadlings doesn't quite win prizes for originality but it is a fairly enjoyable game nonetheless. It's a tad cheeky with its in-app purchases given its $1.99 asking price, but for the most part these can be circumvented.

Players must help numerous types of zombies navigate the Grim Reaper's labs safely in a Lemmings-style experience. Action is divided up into two different modes: strategy and arcade, with both playing equally important roles. The strategy side of things enables one to figure out exactly what must be accomplished during each stage with such planning vital once switching to the arcade mode. This mode involves actually moving the zombies around and it can be tricky.

One type simply runs along, bouncing when the screen is tapped, while another can cling to walls, leaping between them at speed. Others can fly around, while a final type can stay residing on switches, opening up doors for the others. The tricky part is that they're fairly vulnerable. Hitting a wall, for instance, leads to their demise, so precise reactions are vital here. Brains can be collected along the way to the exit, and these contribute to the star rating gained for completing each stage, as well as can be spent on things otherwise reserved for in-app purchases.

Rather conveniently, it's possible to switch between the two modes while playing, making it simple enough to plan ahead. Something that's particularly handy when given larger levels full of traps and switches to remain aware of.

Deadlings doesn't quite offer that 'just one more go' factor but it doesn't stop it being quite fun to figure out. It's certainly cheeky that there are so many in-app purchases available to speed up one's progress or make the odds go more so in one's favor, but at least they're not essential to progress. Occasionally frustrating (mostly when hitting a wall), Deadlings makes a pleasant change thanks to a mixture of game types.