
As we already know, Ubisoft has dusted off its Wii U launch title ZombiU and released it on the PS4, Xbox One and PC at a budget price, minus all the second-screen malarkey which made the Nintendo edition so tense and compelling.
The publisher has insisted that the port features visual improvements - despite the evidence - and our friends over at Eurogamer have now done a direct comparison between the 2012 original and this next-gen update so we can see once and for all how they match up.
As you can see from the footage below, the sections which involved using the GamePad's screen have been transplanted to the main TV, which we feel diminishes the impact a little. The dusty filter present in the Wii U edition has also been removed. On the whole though, the two versions look very much alike, suggesting that Ubisoft has put the minimal amount of effort into porting this over.
Our friends over at Pure Xbox have already reviewed the title, giving it 6 out of 10. "Outside of the game-ending glitches and the poorly designed collection mission that we've mentioned, the experience is tension-filled and easily right up there with the best survival horror titles available today," is what they said. Our chums at Push Square were kinder, giving it 8 out of 10. "Zombi has transitioned to the PS4 rather well," concludes the PS4 review. "The fear-inducing aspects of the second screen are re-created well enough to achieve similar scares, the loading times are greatly improved, and – three years later – it's still a unique survival title that never compromises its horror for action."
Will you be purchasing Zombi on your Xbox One or PS4? Let us know what you think about the game.
[source eurogamer.net]
Comments 87
Does it still have the thing where your dead friends end up as zombies? I've seen the local player become one but it's not clear if the network features are in tact. Rip greasy lens effect too
Looks like I'll have to boot up some zombiu tonight.
Not a big different, the PS4 does look smoother and has better lighting though.
@ikki5 Interesting you say that. On Eurogamer people said the Wii U looks better and has better lighting and they removed the dirty lens look.
So it still wont sell? Then Ubi will have its proof that M rated titles just don't sell on consoles and they can stop making games and go back to culinary school and make their moms proud
Probably just my biased self talking but I can barely tell the difference, except that the PS4's flashlight does pretty much nothing.
Nah, got it for €10 as a download on the eshop a year ago, still need to give it a proper go.
It seems that you can port games from Wii U to other platforms if you want(money). Other way is a different story. This shows devs policy.
I actually like the murky camera better then the smooth look one of the Ps4. See, Wii U can do Ps4 graphics after all.
Flog that (un)dead horse Ubisoft!
Devs are so lazy these days that even PS4/X1 receive shoddy, late, unpolished ports.
i kinda feel like the wii u graphics fit the game perfectly as it has a more darker atmosphere than the ps4
@FragRed how much of a prototype was it though?
The expanded field of view and brighter lighting take away from the claustrophobic feel, but I like that they added new melee weapons. It's interesting that they removed the local multiplayer as Watch_Dogs implements the King of Zombies mode as mobile challenge, incorporating smart phones and tablets as player two.
Anyway, I'm too freaked out to play ZombiU or Alien: Isolation; I guess they're not my kind of games.
You have to remeber also, the original Wii U version, was started and finished within a 6 month time span. All the 3rd party devs that released launch titles for the Wii U only got their development kits six months before the console launched. Considering the short development time, I think the game turned out pretty dam good.
Not much different at all, shows how little effort was actually put into this port. So how much will this sell I wonder?
They made it look even worse...
The added lighting ruins the atmosphere tbh.
It looks almost exactly the same. Same graphics, fewer gameplay features, three years late - CLEARLY THE PS4 VERSION IS SUPERIOR!!!1!!
@DiscoGentleman
Yeah when it came out, IGN let their Playstation super-fanboy review it and unsurprisingly he gave it a score of "okay". Luckily, I had already intended to get the game when the Wii U launched so I picked it up. I would have missed out on a fun game if I had listened to that review. It is certainly not the best game ever, but it was definitely worth the purchase.
@akaDv8R
Exactly. Ubisoft is full of crap. This game is currently sitting at 850,000+ units sold on Wii U, and the majority of those were sold during the first 2 years. Even at an average of $25, that is still over $20,000,000. There is no way they lost as much money on this as they claim.
They seem to mostly look the same, though near the start of the video there was a dust particle effect on the Wii U version that is removed from the PS4 version. I don't think they should have removed it. Also, at one point the player runs to a door that has a sign on it. The text on the sign is agonisingly low-res on the Wii U version, but on the PS4 version you can see it reads "Cancer" when it should be "Danger". Oh Lord...
It still looks awful and i see no reason, why people are giving this game an 8 or a 9. No reason, it's a decent at best not amazing does not deserve that score.
Wtf? Since the whole update on YouTube (that has apparently only initiated itself on my PC since yesterday) I can't select any video quality anymore in the "new and improved" YouTube. Now the options are either Automatic or 360p, while I can easily stream full HD.
Besides that, even in 360p it is visible that we don't have to feel sad that this game has gone to the PS4 and Xbox One, since the loss of the filter means loss of atmosphere and although the PS4 version shows some more advanced lighting here and there, the other updates are very, VERY minimal.
One of my favorite games on the Wii U, already bought and played it on my Xbox One. It sucks that the Wii U lost one of its very few great third party games, but the more people that get to play this gem, the better.
As for the port...it's only $20, for a game that originally cost $60. If you were expecting a complete overhaul that fully used the power of the Xbox One/PS4, then you only have yourself to blame. I personally am very excited to have this game on another console.
This review seems to have nailed it: "Meanwhile, the absence of a dedicated peripheral with the transition from the Wii U leaves a palpable void. An innovative approach to mirror the in-game device on the Wii U gamepad has morphed into a clumsy system of inventory management that is more bothersome, rather than serving to enhance the atmosphere. Inventory items can’t be rearranged, and it’s practically impossible to get eyes on your survivor while you’re rummaging through your backpack. And while the HUD fades away for a more involved experience, the minimap has to be displayed constantly, what with no second screen for it to live on."
Also, pretty useless without the incredible multiplayer.
So, in conclusion we have an incredibly innovative game on the Wii U, that should have received perfect scores, but was too difficult for most reviewers (and still is) turned into a crappy bastardized version of a clone with no second screen ingeniousness.
@rdrunner1178 It's not that they lost money, it's that they didn't make as much as they wanted to on it. That's why I've been not liking these large companies because all they care about it shifting units instead of putting enjoyable games out to everybody like smaller devs try to do.
But aside from that, I don't mind ports but the fact with this one is that they are just trying to get some more money out of it. They would never do this if this was the other way around.
And I'm actually surprised the graphics look so similar. It looks like they added more light which seems silly considering darkness is the whole atmosphere of the game. But the Wii U actually does have great graphics aside from what everyone thinks.
@akaDv8R
That's a fairly good point, however the dev kit was available in a more raw form a full year before launch, they started with that (so they could show off at E3) then got 'finalised' dev kits 6 months before so likely had to 'down spec' all the work. Zombi U wasn't helped by the fact it was originally another game entirely a year before release (hence the more rushed E3 showing in 2012).
Mmmm.... Not really that much difference. The only big difference visually is the 'camera texture' when your looking at light has been cut from Zombi which I think takes away from the murky feeling the game gives. And of course, zombie friends won't show up in Zombi because their are no online features. ZombiU is the definitive version of the game.
Ironic that the PS4/XB1 gets an inferior port of a Ubisoft title.
@FargusPelagius Actually, from what I remember back then there were several dev kits, but the final one was the most capable, so if they first had an earlier version (for example v3 or v4) then they should have had a v5 or v6 by that time, and that was the final kit, that only got some minor upgrades.
It seem highly unlikely that a game would have been downgraded when ported over to a newer and better dev kit. That would only have been necessary if they had up till then developed the game on their own workstations and then ported directly to the dev kit, but if they were already using an older model, then the later dev kit would actually have been an upgrade, both in available tool sets as in capabilities.
They removed the lens filter, likely because there were a slew of Miiverse comments complaining at the graphics and that effect in particular (option would have been nice Ubi?).
I've said it dozens of times since it was released it Needs a patch to open the game up and let the player tinker with setting, zombie density, ammo/item drop rate, online zombie invasion (miiverse player invasion of super zombies) an a few extra melee weapons (which this has). Why does this port have a game breaking glitch in it? (like the Wii U version, although I have never encountered it).
It's actually disgusting Ubi think they can expect any amount of sales from this, re-release. First patch your game, then wonder why it hasn't sold 8 million like you wanted.
@TheRealThanos I forget her name, but a French lady wrote the back dtory/script for Zombie U, and it was handed to Ubishafted 6 months before the game released.
Not long after the game launched, Ubishafted even went on record to say they should have been able to have a longer development period.
@ TheRealThanos
I was fairly sure the original dev kit got 4 gig of memory to tinker with, the final dev kit has 3 gig and the retail model has 2 gig, so regardless of using the older dev kits, you have to slightly 'down spec' the games. It's part of the reason very few WiiU games worked without Freezing the console without a patch at launch (was a nightmare with Blops 2 an ME3).
@FargusPelagus sorry for the comment bombing, my browser is acting up. I updated Firefox and now everything is acting weird, including YouTube, although I think that is a separate problem, seeing as I also can't watch HD video on my phone anymore...
So the graphics look identical except for the WiiU filter to me. I actually prefer the filter because of the extra "glare" on the screen. I was hoping for a better port. I'll pass on it now for my ps4.
Also my Wii U play through hit like every game breaking glitch possible. It sucked. I loved the heck out of the tension but I honestly have no clue what order the events of the game go in. My file was soo broken.
@Zelkardaim PS4+Wii U+Vita+3DS+PC > relegating myself to one console for some arbitrary reason.
This isn't surprising though, Ubisoft are the kings of lazy ports. I wasn't going to pick this game up anyway though, and if I did I likely would have already gotten it for the Wii U. Regardless there are plenty of better games coming out soon that will keep me much more occupied than this would have.
@akaDv8R I don't think your comment #37 is for me, since it in no way relates to anything I have said, or I must be missing something.
Overall textures are better on the port. Some floors and walks look similar in quality, but smaller details such as posters are much better looking in the port. That said, the Wii U version's darker lighting and dusty camera lens filter created a great atmosphere on Wii U and it puzzles me why they changed it.
@TheRealThanos
Don't you worry buddy. It double post's for me all the bloomin time on here.
@FargusPelagius what browser are you on and do you have any issues with the "new and improved" version of YouTube? (the phone was a glitch apparently because that does display HD videos now again)
Just internet explorer, I have a feeling it is more to do with network latency an packet dropping for m
To be honest this looks like a lazy port. At least in my eyes.
No way, didn't even finish it on my Wii U.
Interesting but still not for me. I prefer my first person games to be campy (just to clarify, not the FPS camper kind of campy), happy, and filled with hats.
Wow, the port that no one wanted.
Why not just port a game to Wii U? At least people want those games.
Ubisoft: Decent Dev, Crappy porter. I'm gonna laugh when they crash and burn one of these days. Their whole attitude is crap.
The PS4's wider field of view definitely helps with seeing the level better (plus they've made everything slightly brighter in general), but I'm not really seeing any improvements other than the field of view. Maybe a couple of higher resolution textures here and there.
The added HUD/GUI on the PS4 version ruins the game view slightly though. I have basically grown to hate most HUD/GUIs these days, and I wish most games would include an option to turn them off.
The extra gore on the bat and player's hands also just looks tacky.
@FargusPelagius I don't think that could be it. At home I use WiFi for web browsing on my phone, so that is the same network. It smells a whole lot more like Google preferring its own browser over others when updating their services. Hopefully they will add Firefox support soon, or it is the other way around and the Firefox update that was done yesterday is what f***ed things up...
Come to think of it: could also be a Flash vs HTML5 thing...
Personally, I think the game is best on Wii U.
But I'm still glad that PS gamers can play it now- it's not an all-time great or anything but it's still a fine game. And more good games for gamers is a good thing.
It kinda lost its charm without the gamepad
This video makes me want to buy ZombiU on my Wii U.
I'll pick it up on PS4 when the price lowers a little more, just to earn trophies. Other than that, I never thought it was a good horror-title to begin with, but I liked Dead Island and all the Silent Hill titles and Fatal Frames, so I wouldn't judge me too much.
All these years later....and I still have zero interest in this game.
One of the best game on wiiU and probably the best use of the gamepad.... For me is a must have on the console.
@BarryDunne yeah definitely the vita support is very needed ... If they do that, it will turn as the definitive edition to have
Watch Ubi pull a 360 and announce Zombi 2 for PS4 and Xbox One.. leaving Nintendo in the cold even though it sounds like it sold pretty decent on the platform.. not sure what Ubi was expecting.
@TheRealThanos the setting is there (iv found Browsing on the WiiU) but for some reason its completly invisible so youv got to tap about for it.. pain in the back side lol
WiiU Ver of the game looks far supior in basicly Everyway only point its worse is the Dore.. idk if thats just it not haveing time to load or what but on the PS4 the Tee Shirt on the Zombie is Horid when the WiiU Ver clearly has some wrinkles and texters.
Hands down my favorite Wii U experience ever. At the time, completely sold me on the (now) empty and unfulfilled potential of the platform.
I soon realized what made the experience and the GamePad use so great in that game is exactly why Wii U failed overall: the GamePad is really designed for very specific game experiences and genres, and the only other real use you're getting out of it is Off TV play.
The PS4 has a new field of view, There's also improved lighting, textures and added gore. Two new weapons I believe, & also different touch settings.
Forgot to add faster loading times too.
I give the PS4 version 8 out of 10 cuz it has slightly better graphic, loading times is better plus you have added weapons n torch/flash light but I say get the Wii U version I gave it 9 out of 10 because the gamepad functions n features make this game a better experience for me or if you can get both version and compare yourselves. Nintendo should go too ubisoft tho I get the extra content as paid DLC for Zombiu I would snap it up but here I'm a survivor horror freak lol.
What a waste of time!! Can hardly tell the difference between them.
Higher-res textures but less particle effects are what I noticed in the new version. Meh, I may pick it up if its on sale on the One. Still haven't finished this on Wii U yet.
This is not a very good game on either platform. I own both the Wii U and the PS4 and I am ultra biased towards Nintendo, but since this is a Ubisoft Game I will say, I did appreciate the use of the Gamepad but it was also the game's biggest flaw. I think that's why no other company attempted using the controller in this way again.
I understand people who liked it, though, it is scary and different and somehow original, but clunky to play.
Looked ok Amazon, found zombiu for under $13
Will be playing the definitive version come Thursday.
The textures look better, and things are a bit brighter.
They simplified some shadows and removed the dirty camera filter though.
It doesn't look much different to me, just a little brighter on the PS4 (which I'm not sure is a good thing). Having the map overlay on the PS4 screen is horrible though, so it seems that the Wii U will be the definitive version.
@Volmun Thanks, but it was not on the Wii U: I had the problem on the PC, but it's already solved now.
This makes me want to go back and play ZombiU again and prepare to get punished. I really wish they would update ZombiU to include the new melee weapons. I think it's an insult that they won't.
Looks pretty much the same, except that the PS4 version looks a bit cleaner. This may sound weird, but I think it looks worse when cleaner. The darker and murkier Wii U screen I think adds to the horror aspect a bit. Yeah...I think I'll just get this on my Wii U. I was interested in it leading up to the system's launch, yet I never got it for some reason. It's weird.
@NintendoFan64 Lucky you, in most cases you can pick it up for around 10 bucks now.
EDIT:
Or better yet, here: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/zombiu-nintendo-wii-u/5743611.p?id=1218690247387
@TheRealThanos Ooh!...Out of curiosity, how much are the PS4 and Xbone versions going to cost? I'm really curious.
@NintendoFan64 I believe it is around $23.50, and download only if I'm not mistaken.
In British Pounds it is 14.99.
@TheRealThanos Oh. I honestly was worried for a second that it would've been a full-priced game. If it was, I would've burst out laughing.
I own both systems but I'd feel a little ripped off if I bought the PS4 version. 3 years later and it looks like a brighter version of the darker, more atmospheric Wii U version? These screens look alike. The PS4 is lighter and loses that cool filter effect. What a rip! The Wii U is definitely the definitive version.
I knew it. Finally get to see all those graphics fanboils come out of hiding so people can lance them.
Both look the freaking same.
@DarthNocturnal "right up there with the best survival horror titles of today" about sums it up: think of all the good survival horror games released in the last 3-4 years...
still thinking?
Beside better lighting and better textures here and there the games look very much a like. And the WiiU has that dirty filter to mask both of these upgrades.
Bigger fov is always nice as well.
Missing the second screen and the multiplayer is a bummer tho.
I think i would rate the WiiU version higher in the end. 8 on WiiU and 7 on the other platforms.
@kensredemption What's confusing you here?
No GAmepad? No sale!
@BadBreath
Great point!
@Kirk
SPLATOON!
@beautifulstrong Sure.
People that think the second screen can be replicated to the Vita (Ubisoft is too lazy to ever do that, so no luck there) obviously are not aware of the huge lag and awfulness of that playstation setup. It is not seamless and lagless like the Wii U. It is what it is. If you cannot play it on Wii U, and you like horror games, it's a game you should try, but Ubisoft has taken a beautiful gem and made a very poor clone of it. It's still playable, but barely enjoyable anymore.
I still wonder why people doesn't like wiiu's controller it is very innovative and intuitive to play with, and need to look to the tablet screen to loot or whatever you need raises your tension levels.
some times I pre-fer ps4 but most of the times I don't care.
still need to get zombie u.
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