Zombie Army VR [Meta Quest 3] | REVIEW

Rebellion’s Zombie Army VR hits the Meta Quest 3 with a blood-soaked bang, bringing its cult-favourite undead-slaying formula to virtual reality. It largely succeeds in delivering frantic, satisfying action too, though there are some stumbles in a few areas that do prevent it from reaching true VR greatness – even if it still manages to be a ton of fun to play.

Check out some screenshots down below:

Zombie Army VR puts players in the boots of a Deadhunter, an elite zombie-killing operative, tasked with cleaning up the undead scourge in a bombed-out Nuremberg, all whilst helping your commanding officer search for his missing daughter. While this setup hints at a personal storyline, don’t expect much too depth, with it mostly serving as a light backdrop for the main event: mowing down hordes of Nazi zombies. I mean… what else would you expect from a game called Zombie Army VR, right?

At its core, Zombie Army VR thrives on its weapon mechanics. From classic bolt-action rifles and submachine guns to pistols and one-off heavy weapons, the arsenal is wide enough to keep combat engaging (and even allows for dual-wielding action). There’s a strong tactile feel when using two hands to steady recoil or when aiming down sights, and on the Meta Quest 3, the guns offer weighty feedback. Explosives like grenades and TNT provide welcome variety too, with players able to toss them manually or opt for a simplified button throw. I actually preferred the latter for accuracy sake, but at the same time, there’s nothing better than physically lobbing a grenade and seeing it wipe out a bunch of flesh-eating goons… nice.

Whilst the weaponry and gunplay are great, there is one issue that stood out: reloading your weapon. The manual reloading system is immersive and adds tension to close encounters, but as the difficulty spikes and enemies start to overwhelm the player, these mechanics can become a little frustrating. There were so many occasions where I found myself dying because I couldn’t quite reach my ammo pouch accurately or would forget to actually load the ammo into my weapon completely, leaving myself in a vulnerable position where I couldn’t actually shoot at my foes. Thankfully, the game offers an automatic reload option, which many players will likely activate mid-campaign to keep pace with the action. It comes at the cost of immersion, but honestly? It makes the game feel so much better.

“Zombie Army VR delivers exactly what it promises: gruesome fun, solid gunplay, and a co-op experience that’s hard to beat.”

Enemy variety is one of Zombie Army VR’s strengths, and trust me, you won’t just face off against staggering undead that make themselves easy prey. You’ll encounter everything from standard walkers to armoured brutes, self-sacrificing kamikaze zombies, and even undead snipers, with each presenting different threats that’ll certainly keep you on your toes. They make for a cool cast of foes, and whilst the horde sizes can feel a little limited on the Meta Quest 3, the increasing threat of each enemy type ensures the difficulty curve throughout the game is very satisfying.

The upgrade system adds a layer of progression to the experience too, with players earning XP through stylish, efficient kills and completing challenge objectives, unlocking enhancements like extended magazines, higher damage, or faster reloads. Admittedly, there’s nothing that you wouldn’t have seen before in the customisation options, but it’s always satisfying to make small improvements (and the collectible cosmetics for weapons are a neat little treat too). There are plenty of additional collectibles to find in levels too, with the creepy dolls a particular highlight to look for.

Outside of the zombie-killing action of the main campaign, a central hub acts as a launch point where you can test weapons, tweak loadouts, upgrade weapons, and access co-op (the best way to experience the game). Zombie Army VR is clearly designed with co-op in mind, with levels often funnelling enemies from two main directions – something which feels manageable with a teammate but can be overwhelming solo. While the campaign can be completed alone, situational awareness becomes a crucial skill, especially with limited health resources and constant pressure. Fighting from all angles and covering each other’s backs always feels rewarding, with some of the set pieces in the game making for some of the most intense co-op moments that I’ve ever had in VR. Honestly, it was an absolute blast to play with a friend and makes the game an easy recommendation if you’re a fan of VR co-op.

Check out some screenshots down below:

Graphically, Zombie Army VR on the Meta Quest 3 holds its own. While not pushing boundaries, the game presents clean visuals with distinct environments and solid performance. Interiors feel cramped and cluttered – in a good way – while the outdoor ruins of Europe are atmospheric, complete with fog and destruction. Object interaction could feel a little limited when scavenging through areas, but weapon handling is mostly physical, ensuring immersion is maintained when playing.

On the downside, some interactions feel overly simplified or awkward. Melee weapons, for example, can’t be holstered, making their use a little irrelevant when they can’t be switched to as a last resort when running low on ammo. Switching hands with weapons or juggling grenades can also feel unintuitive at times, especially under pressure. Whilst none of these are game-breaking issues, they show that Zombie Army VR could’ve taken a closer look at some other first-person shooters on the VR platform just to help fine-tune some of its mechanics.

Developer: Rebellion, Xtended Realities
Publisher: Rebellion
Platform(s): Meta Quest 3 (Reviewed), Meta Quest 2, PlayStation VR 2, PC VR
Website: https://www.meta.com/en-gb/experiences/zombie-army-vr/6133688003342021/