Favourite Games of 2013: Number 9 - Typing of the Dead: Overkill

(PC)

Anyone looking for a cheesy B-movie Zombie horror mixed with keyboards should really play Typing of the Dead: Overkill.

The Typing of the Dead: Overkill had a surprisingly quiet release on Steam during Halloween and seemed to come out of nowhere.    It was original released a few years ago, under the name of the House of the Dead: Overkill, as an on-rails ‘light-gun’ experience for the Wii and later saw a visually upgraded ‘extended cut’ released for the PS3.

I jumped at the opportunity to try out the game as soon as I heard of its release on Steam.   I always wanted to play the original Typing of the Dead game on the Dreamcast, but never had the chance.

The game is structurally the same as House of the Dead: Overkill but instead of pulling the trigger of a lightgun, you are instead required to type random words, some of which are disgustingly appropriate to the theme of the story, as a method to defeat the hordes of grotesque zombies that block your path.

I actually prefer the typing method of input than the originally designed motion controls, there is something oddly satisfying when defeating enemies by typing the on screen corresponding words as fast as humanly possible.

The game is all the more challenging (and fun) when attempting to awkwardly use my ring and pinkie fingers (definitely my least used fingers when typing) for the letter ‘Z and 'X’.  Typing a word like Xenomorph as fast as you can under the high duress of a walking carcass attempting to chew your flesh off (as if you were a juicy prime rib ready to be eaten at a steak house) can be a rather alarming situation.

The greatest achievement is that Typing of the Dead: Overkill actually manages to teach the skill of speedy and accurate typing whilst still providing an incredibly fun and engaging experience.  Move over Mavis Beacon – there is new competition in town … ZOMBIES!!!