Surviving Terminus: Zombie Survivors

Have you noticed that in every apocalypse story there is always that “let’s find a safe place” thing? Well, here in Terminus: Zombie Survivors It's no different. So, let's put on your old sneakers and get inside, because zombies won't wait for you to finish your coffee!

Zombies and the Dangers of Nightlife

If you think that surviving the zombie apocalypse is just a matter of not becoming one of them, you're more mistaken than those who think that the lyrics of “Zoio de Lula” are just about a guy with big eyes. Honestly, the situation is more complicated than traffic on game day. Here's the thing: zombies may look like those guys who stay out at the club after hours, but they're really very so that you can join their bandwagon. And, man, the entrance is one way only. So, get away from these hoodlums, and if necessary, kick them, because that's life: it's better to maintain social distancing before they take you on their eternal ride.

And remember: becoming a zombie is just the icing on the cake. Because in this world, not even the zombie farmer will want to plant his rice and beans. The zombie truck driver brother? He'll take you straight to the zombies' mouths. The supermarket to stock up on food? No way, because even the stocker has already gone to hell. Then, after a few days, you'll realize that maybe dying of hunger, cold or disease is even easier than facing these people. The trick here is to survive in this scenario that's darker than underground rap lyrics, where zombies are just one of the problems.

Korean Apocalypse: Battle Royale Version of Zombies

Okay, let me tell you where this game comes from, because the story is almost as crazy as the situation. Terminus: Zombie Survivors is the solo project of Shin In-geon, a crazy South Korean who enjoys turn-based games more than Brazilians enjoy a barbecue. The guy started out humble, released an early access version and, boom, people liked it. And then he put together a team and, three years later, released the final version – or, at least, what we in the gaming world call the “final version”, because, well, nothing is definitive in this universe. The story of the game? The world went to hell because of a zombie epidemic, and you’re there, lost in the middle of the adventure, trying to get to a certain Terminus, which is like the promised land… or not.

Choose Your Fighter: Zombies, Nerds and Muscleheads

Right at the beginning, you have to choose your character, and then the festival of options begins. There are 15 different classes, and some of them you only unlock after going through certain hardships. You can choose to be that nerd who learns faster than a meme on a social network, an athlete who runs faster than problems, a priest who lifts the spirits of the crowd (even with zombies knocking on the door), or even a farmer who makes even rocks grow (just don't wait for him to plant anything, because hey… zombies). Each one has its own stats and equipment, so pay attention to your strategy, because otherwise you'll be in the zombies' circle. Then, after distributing the bonus points, it's time to start punching.

Living Without Luxury: Where Even the Light in the Refrigerator Doesn't Help

The game map is randomly generated, and you start in your house, which, for now, is safe. But, like, for now. Because without light, without food and with the weather playing against you (do you think that just because there are zombies, it's either really hot or really cold, you'll get a break?), it's best to pack your things and hit the road. The game is turn-based, but you have total freedom: go to the closet, grab whatever you can find, read a book to learn new skills (you might become the new Tony Stark of zombies), and, if you're lucky, cook something to keep from starving.

And yes, cooking. Because, you know, while the world is ending, there's nothing like a good meal to keep your spirits up. And as long as your health bar is still up, you still have a chance, bro. Each turn, you take your actions and then pass the turn to the other survivors and the zombies, who will try to make you their dinner. And about Terminusthat place that gives the game its name? Dude, finding that place is like finding a job that pays well and is close to home: you'll hear about it, but you'll have to work hard to get there. And, to be honest, you don't even have to get there. There's so much freedom that you can jump into the sea, join other survivors, look for a cure for the virus, become the boss of the hood, or simply see where the wind takes you. Each decision can give you a different ending, with a trophy and everything.

Walk Smart or Get Left Handed: The Cost of Walking in the Apocalypse

Now, let me tell you something that caught my attention: the management of action points in Terminus: Zombie Survivors. Walking costs action points, but if you know how to play, you can save up to 50%. That's right, it's like that sneaky Black Friday discount, but be aware that walking too fast can make you fall into the zombies' mouths. So, think about it: are you going to explore it slowly, wasting your time, or go crazy and see what happens? Just remember that the system is turn-based, so you can think a lot, but the pressure is there, like that deadline that you can't miss.

Experience, Weapons and Toughness

The game also has an evolution system worthy of the best RPGs, allowing you to improve your stats to face the constant fights. And, man, the variety of items, weapons and situations is insane. Every time you play, it's going to be a different experience, guaranteed. For example, a stoned cop who can handle anything will live a totally different story than a firefighter who's a master at making that naughty dodge. But hey, the game only gives you one save slot. So, there's no way to play multiple stories at the same time. In other words, it's either take it or leave it.

With 15 unlockable classes, a huge, randomly generated map, and multiple endings, Terminus: Zombie Survivors It will keep you busy for a while – like, you'll have to kill a lot of zombies before you get tired.

What About Combat? Less Rambo, More Chess

Eventually, you will come across a zombie who will want to turn you into bait. If you are one of those who enjoys XCOM or Jagged Allianceyou might be expecting epic shootouts, with bullets flying like popcorn. But here it's simpler: instead of a shooting frenzy, you have a silhouette of the zombie, with points to attack and statistics showing the chances of hitting, damage, and other effects. It's like playing War, except if you miss, you lose the war for good. This system also applies to actions like breaking a window, and even though it's engaging, it's far from the tactical adrenaline of the great masters of turn-based combat. The pace here is more like a board game, you know?

Pros:

• Variety of classes and customization options
• Excellent survival and resource management system
• High replayability with procedurally generated maps

Cons:

• Simple and less exciting combats than other games of the genre
• Only one save slot, limiting the possibility of multiple stories
• Early game can be slow and repetitive

Final Grade: 7/10

Terminus: Zombie Survivors is a turn-based strategy game with a character creation and development system that could be found in any self-respecting RPG. But before you go out there and destroy zombies, remember that this is more about surviving than killing. With 15 classes, multiple endings, a map that is never the same, and tons of items to find and use, this game will keep you going for a long time. The combats may not be as exciting as those in XCOMbut if you like zombies and good survival style brother from the slums, Terminus is your place. Just don't forget: here, even the zombie might want to be your hangout partner… or not.