Zombies, Run! is a mobile fitness game from ZRX. It combines a running app with the features of an audiobook and city building game.
Story
You are one of the few survivors of a zombie epidemic. You are running to one of humanity’s last remaining outposts.
The outpost needs your help to rescue survivors, gather supplies, and defend their home. You also have a secret mission that they don’t know about.
Gameplay
Jog, walk, or run anywhere in the world while listening to your music and workout through your headphones. If zombies chase you, you must speed up.
You automatically collect supplies to build a base. Game features include customizable zombie chases, over 500 missions, a base builder, and the ability to track your runs and sync your progress.
The game opens with a simple introduction to the story and then prompts you to create a ZRX account. It then takes you to your first mission Jolly Alpha Five Niner.
You can choose to track your run by using GPS, step counting, or simulate running for treadmills. Choose whether to include zombie chases or not.
You can also pick an external music source, such as Spotify or Apple Music, to listen to while you workout. You can set the duration of your workout, but you can’t go below the length of the story for the mission you are playing.
Once you start the mission, the story content plays like an audiobook. You listen to your music in the bits between the story elements.
The app tracks how long you have been working out, your pace, number of steps, supplies collected, and the total distance. You can use the supplies you collect during your missions to build and upgrade the town.
You can also go into the codex to learn more about the story by examining the various things you collect during your mission. You earn achievements as you play the game.
Virtual races are an optional feature you can access by purchasing VIP access to the game. You can also access training plans that suggest how you should play to achieve different fitness goals.
In addition the missions, you can go on supply runs to gather more materials to build your town. You can also listen to radio Abel.
Graphics and Sound
Zombies, Run! is primarily an audio experience. Playing the missions is a lot like listening to an audiobook.
The screens related to tracking your runs are well-designed and easy to read. The graphics related to building the town are simplistic but get the job done.
The voice acting for the missions is excellent. The game doesn’t force you to wear headphones, but it is difficult to hear the story well without them.
Platforms
Zombies, Run! is available on iPhone and Android devices.
Price
You can download Zombies, Run! for free on the Apple App or Google Play store. The game offers in-app purchases.
User Reviews
Zombies, Run! currently has a 4.8 rating on the Apple App Store and 4.3 on Google Play.
What I Like About Zombies, Run!
I like that Zombies, Run! is accessible to anyone who has a compatible iPhone or Android device. You can walk, jog, run, or play while using a mobility device, such as a wheelchair.
There are 10 seasons worth of content to keep you busy and multiple workout routines to follow. The statistics and achievements help provide some extra motivation.
What I Don’t Like About Zombies, Run!
I don’t think anything about this game is poorly implemented, but I do think it has somewhat limited appeal. The simplistic base-building element isn’t enough to motivate me to play and while the story is well-done, I think I’d probably rather listen to an audiobook than this game’s zombie story.
I didn’t find that the story felt that interactive. I think if I just sat and listened to the audio, about the same things would have happened.
Final Thoughts on Zombies, Run!
If you are already a runner or regular walker and want to add some spice to your routine, this app may appeal to you. If you’re a couch potato looking for motivation to workout, the appeal probably depends on how much you care about the zombie story and the base-building aspect of the game.
For myself, I don’t see this game as a good fit, though I might use it if I were working on one of the goals they have a training program for. However, I can definitely see how people who are more into zombie stories could find the game entertaining.