Typing of the Dead

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=90 BGCOLOR="#006699" TEXT="#080000" background="20f785a3.jpg"> <div> <FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" ><B>Mikes Homepage</B></FONT><B>    </B><B> |     </B><A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Mikes Homepage"><U><B>home</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id491.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Untitled Zombie Game"><U>Untitled Zombie Game</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id492.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Zombie Attack 2 Break Out"><U>Zombie Attack 2 Break Out</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id493.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Zombie Chaos"><U>Zombie Chaos</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id494.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Untitled Zombie Game 2"><U>Untitled Zombie Game 2</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id498.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Zombie Hunter"><U>Zombie Hunter</U></A>   |   <B>Typing of the Dead</B>   |   <A HREF="id646.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Cry of the Infected"><U>Cry of the Infected</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id647.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Left 4 Dead"><U>Left 4 Dead</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id649.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Zombie Smashers X3"><U>Zombie Smashers X3</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id650.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Monster Madness"><U>Monster Madness</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id651.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Bloody Zombies"><U>Bloody Zombies</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id652.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Zombie Shooter"><U>Zombie Shooter</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id653.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="NOMBZ"><U>NOMBZ</U></A></div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" width=210 BGCOLOR="#FFCC66" TEXT="#080000" background="210d2b03.jpg"> <div> <B>Platform</B></div> <div> PC, DC, PS2</div> <bR> <div> <B>Download</B></div> <div> <A HREF="ToTD.rar" TARGET="_top" TITLE="ToTD.rar"><U>PC Version</U></A></div> </td> <td valign="top" height=390 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <I>Typing of the Dead</I></div> <div> <IMG SRC="1664e0b40.png" border=0 width="480" height="180" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"> <IMG SRC="166500000.png" border=0 width="256" height="256" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"> <IMG SRC="166618180.png" border=0 width="280" height="280" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> The typewritten word is truly mightier than the gun. At least that’s what developer Smilebit would have you believe, as is evidenced by The Typing of the Dead, their quirky re-make of the Sega arcade (and Dreamcast) classic, The House of the Dead 2. For those unfamiliar with the original title, House of the Dead 2 pits wary, lightgun-wielding gamers against hordes of bloodthirsty zombies in a vivid, highly detailed, on-rails shooting spree. The only real difference between House of the Dead 2 and Typing of the Dead is... well... the Dreamcast keyboard. Same graphics, same vivid detail, same blown-open torsos and split-open heads as the original. However, this time, a well placed keystroke -- as opposed to a squeeze of the trigger -- can make all the difference between life and death.</div> <bR> <div> # The Good</div> <bR> <bR> <div>     They sure don't look like disco queens... maybe they're dead macho men.</div> <bR> <div>     This game is fun. Flat out. Players are pitted against gruesome zombies in a variety of compelling locations. When a zombie appears, a word or a phrase pops up in a little foreground window, and the player must type the word or phrase quickly and accurately before the zombie attacks, in order to defeat him. Quickly, the game becomes both a strangely cerebral and a deeply visceral experience, since every keystroke produces a loud, satisfying BLAM!, as well as a bullet in the head or chest of some sick-making undead creature. Quickly type a phrase such as "Lettuce pray," and you’ve blown off a zombie’s arms and head. Tap away at single letters, U (BLAM!), X (BLAM!), P (BLAM!) and you’ve managed to shoot down any number of fast-approaching projectiles.</div> <bR> <div>     Well, no, I shouldn’t say "fast-approaching." Most projectiles approach rather slowly, just as most of the enemies are slow to attack. This is a good thing, and an utterly necessary thing, as players require an ample amount of time to view the next word or phrase, cognitively process it, and respond to it. If enemies were too quick to attack, then the game would be no fun for dummies like me who need to look up at the screen, see the current word or phrase, and then look back down at the keyboard in order to type it.</div> <div> <IMG SRC="166780e00.png" border=0 width="640" height="480" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div>     Another much-appreciated aid for remedial typists like me: For the most part, players don’t need to worry at all about spacing or capitalization. If a phrase like "Don’t worry" appears on the screen, you need only tap out "don’tworry." Typing against the undead can be hairy enough without having to fumble for the spacebar or the shift key. By placing emphasis on typing only letters and punctuation, Smilebit gives casual players (or mediocre typists) a chance to get a grip on the game without stressing too much over typing mechanics. </div> <bR> <bR> <div>     You won't find yourself leaping in fear from zombies with silly phrases like these.</div> <bR> <div>     In addition to the standard "type what you see on the screen" mode of play, Smilebit has managed to throw in some additional fun and interesting challenges. For example, every stage contains a speed challenge mode, where players are required to destroy ten zombies within 30 seconds. Zombies enter the scene quickly in a line, as though they were part of a carnival shooting gallery, and the word appearing before each one is either part of a common theme or part of a rhyming pattern. Usually, at the end of each 10-word series, the designers throw the player a curve ball. You might become comfortable zipping through words like "dizzy," "tizzy," "lizzy," "grizzly," only to have "pterodactyl" meet you at the end of the string. The first time the game hit me with a change-up like that, I actually dropped my jaw and laughed out loud.</div> <bR> <div>     In fact, there are many opportunities to laugh all throughout the game, because many of the pop-up phrases sound like the results of an all-night Mad Libs game. They’re often bizarre and inventive, and sometimes even subversive. Some pop-up phrases arrive in a logical order and tell a bizarre story, while others actually seem to communicate with the player on a subconscious level. Other phrases such as "Graffiti is art" aren’t so subtle. As a side note, my personal favorite phrase is "brain douche." Make of it what you will. </div> <div> <IMG SRC="166980e00.png" border=0 width="640" height="480" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div>     In addition to a great main game, Typing of the Dead contains a comprehensive battery of training exercises. In fact, the tutorial and drill segments are so deep that the game actually qualifies as a legitimate typing tutor. (Move over Mavis Beacon; the undead have arrived to take your place.) Ever wonder why your F and J keys have those little nubs on them? Get Typing of the Dead, and you’ll find out why. There are exercises covering speed, accuracy, reflexes and much, much more. You're rated on how well you type, and the game will even display statistics on your mad typing skills including areas you need to improve upon. In all seriousness, I’m thinking of letting my children play this game, if only to teach them how to type.</div> <bR> <div>     Also, there’s a cool two-player mode, where players can compete with one another for kills. If the game weren’t so much fun, I’d probably dismiss the two-player mode as an unabashed attempt to sell DC keyboards. But, believe me, it’s well worth the investment.</div> <bR> <div>   # The Bad</div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="166a80e00.png" border=0 width="640" height="480" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div>     Quick! How many S's is that? 1... 2... 3... Oh no!</div> <bR> <div>     While the typing does make the game a unique experience despite being basically a reissue of House of the Dead 2, the challenge is dumbed down quite a bit. While the game initially seems to just replace fast shooting skills with fast typing skills, the fact that you are stuck blowing up exactly what the game shows you removes both an extra element of skill and exploration the original required. House of the Dead 2 is a very challenging gun shooter -- among the most difficult ever made. It's not only a test of shooting zombies but also crates, vases, and so on to uncover much needed life and score bonuses. While objects other than zombies can be fired upon, they are few and far between when compared to the game which inspired it. Also, the items are already exposed, and typing a single letter will grant you the power-up -- much much easier than the split second targeting and firing reflexes House of the Dead 2's hidden bonuses required as they flew by the screen.</div> <bR> <div>     The game not only lacks the element of exploration in the original, but it also removes another integral part of the gameplay which makes House of the Dead 2 such a great gun game -- the revolver. Having a revolver limited your ability to mow down zombies without fear -- with only six shots to spare, there was little room for error. You never have to reload in Typing of the Dead, and, while that may be an obvious concession for a typing-based game, it still is another factor which dumbs down the challenge. While I still have difficulty making it through House of the Dead 2, Typing of the Dead is much more forgiving.</div> <bR> <bR> <div>     Practice your mad typing skillz with G.</div> <bR> <div>     While I can forgive the voice acting, I'm sure others won't be able to make such a concession The voice acting is bad. It was bad in House of the Dead 2, and it’s still just as bad. Personally, I see this as a good thing, because the bad voice acting adds to the overall campy feel of the title, but many gamers might not share my opinion. The simple fact that so much of the game borrows from House of the Dead 2 makes it feel not quite its own as well. It's unique concept, but not wholly original with its presentation.</div> <bR> <div>     Another, perhaps minor, point: With so much emphasis placed on the act of typing, I’m not sure whether Typing of the Dead really qualifies as a killer gaming experience. All throughout, the game has a real satisfying "the meek have inherited the Earth" feel. In other words, simply on an intellectual (read "pure geek") level, I take giddy delight in knowing I can blast hell out of a whole zombie army simply because I’m a semi-okay typist, but therein lies the rub. Typing of the Dead really does have "typing tutor" emblazoned all over it. While the title is a fun typing experience, it doesn’t altogether come off as a great game. </div> <bR> <div> # The Final Word</div> <bR> <div>     Anyway, whatever. Whether you look on this title as a great typing experience or a great gaming experience, suffice it to say you’ll have a great experience. If nothing else, Typing of the Dead is kooky, fun and inventive, and a worthwhile addition to any Dreamcast enthusiast’s library. Uh, provided you own one of those keyboards. </div> </td> </tr></table></body>