Red Dead Redemption Undead Nightmare Review

Title: Undead Nightmare

Release Date: 26th October

The Cost: 800 Microsoft Points (£8.50)

The Length: Single Player: 4-5 Hours   Co-0p & Multiplayer: Varies

Achievements: 12 New Achievements – 200 Points. Bringing the game to 1500 points overall.

The story that transpires throughout Undead Nightmare is perceived as an alternate universe, and the main storyline that takes place in Red Dead Redemption’s single-player is seen as canon. So forget everything you know about Red Dead Redemption for a second. Particular characters and locations make a welcomed return to Undead Nightmare but the narrative that takes place has nothing to do with the main game’s narrative. Some of these characters have found a new fondness for eating brains, so don’t expect everyone you encounter to greet John with open arms. All in all, it’s the same Red Dead you know and love, but the western frontier has taken a turn for the worse. Towns have been set blaze, family members devouring their own flesh and blood, and a consistent gloom hangs in the air. The undead are coming. So lock those doors and load up that weapon. Something wickid this way comes…

Single-Player:

This is where the bulk of the DLC’s content derives from, where without giving too much of the plot away, we start the story narrative in Undead Nightmare with lead protagonist John Marston returning home to his ranch at Beecher’s Hope only to unfortunately find out that one of his family members has recently been turned by the imminent zombie plague infecting the western frontier. This starts a chain of events as Marston sets out on a quest to eradicate the plague starting with the West Elizabeth area’s such as Blackwater, before setting out to the other surrounding areas of the Red Dead world in order to find a cure and to uncover why the outbreak occurred in the first place.

Following on from Read Dead’s main storyline, there is a range of ambient challenges for the player to complete which includes the likes of treasure hunting, the hunt for apocalyptic horses, weapons and more, extra stranger missions are also thrown into the mix. Meaning there is plenty for the player to occupy themselves with if they ever so wish to take a breather from the central plot of the DLC, as well as when they have completed the story.

A constant concern during the period of the Undead Nightmare is the protection you may lend to towns and settlements from the numerous zombies aiming to devour the last few remaining human survivors. More of these locations open up as you explore more of the western frontier and as an incentive for protecting these towns and settlements, a safe location will reward you with ammo and a bed to rest for your troubles. The cleansing and burning of graveyards is also introduced early on which is vital to Marston’s struggle in eradicating the legion of undead. During these two game mechanics, you quickly come to realize that Dead Eye maintains to be your best offense and defense, as it buys you valuable time and quick and efficient headshots the majority of the time whilst playing. This proves to be useful tactic for the large amount of undead coming in thick and fast. As an added bonus, if you are already an owner of previous DLC packs such as Legends and Killers and Liars and Cheats, the tomahawk and explosive rifle will also be placed at your disposal for quick removal of the undead.

Ammunition is extremely scarce in Undead Nightmare unlike the main game’s storyline where ammunition seems to be in abundance, so you’ll need to pick your shots wisely and with accurate precision if you want to stay alive. When you come across a town or settlement highlighted with a white question mark on the map, this indicates you can encounter survivors and work with them to eradicate the undead in that location in order to make it safe and free from the attacks of further undead, at least for some period of time. When the progress bar has been completely filled, the location is seen as safe on the map and is shown by a green dot. Ammo boxes and a safe house will then be highlighted on the minimap for that location, a reward to you for being the savior of that town or settlement. But don’t get too complacent, the time will undoubtedly arise in the future for the location to be saved once again where at that point, the game will notify you of any current attacks.

Elaborating further on the topic of the protection of towns and settlements, any location that is safe enables you to fast travel and save from the safe house in that area. No longer can you set up campfires for quick saves on your travels, as it is obviously more dangerous to your health to do so. Don’t hang around in those safe zones for too long though, there’s plenty to be seen and found in the wilderness areas. Just be sure to keep your wits and eyes about you for any zombie bear or zombie cougar attacks. Getting ravaged by these savage beasts seems to be a constant risk and danger, but luckily, there is always an auto-save to go back to if the hand death ever falls upon you.

In my opinion, Undead Nightmare is one of the best value for money DLC packages in a long time. Given the sheer size of this DLC, you would assume it could have been credited as a full blown expansion pack. The narrative throughout the single-player campaign is brilliantly executed and definitely matches up to the rest of Red Dead Redemption. Now to discuss the new Multiplayer modes attained with the DLC.

Multiplayer:

Firstly, we have the suitably named Undead Overrun mode. This is tremendous fun with a posse or a friend as you and three other players aim to hold off the incoming masses of undead for as long as you possibly can. After each round has been completed, a coffin will then appear in the surrounding area which upon opening will lead to an increase in time and sometimes, a new weapon. These are highly beneficial in reaching high waves but be sure to protect the player opening the coffin from the undead! Otherwise, you too may be put to rest. Thankfully, you can be revived once downed but you can bleed out remember, so be sure to notify your teammates to lend you a hand as soon as possible.

Secondly, we have the new non-Undead themed Land Grab mode. Summed up, this is an attack and defend based game of King of the Hill. Not much to say about it if you’ve played the rest of the multiplayer modes Red Dead Redemption has to offer but it’s refreshing just to play a new mode in itself. Despite these two great Multiplayer additions to the game, they take a backseat and pale in comparison to the fantastic single player campaign.

Replay Value:

Completing the single player storyline will take around 4-5 hours of game time, varying on your skill level. Multiplayer can be brief if you’re just in it for the related achievements, but the Undead Overrun may make you come back to this DLC time and time again for fun with a friend. If you’re a completionist, 12 new achievements await you. While some can be easily gained through completing segments of the story, the range and variety of the ambient challenges and the road to 100% is another story. But if that means immersing yourself in this highly enjoyable Wild West sandbox once again, you would be crazy not to.

Closing Comments and Verdict:

While not expanding on the primary Red Dead Redemption canon storyline, the Undead Nightmare tale is one not to be missed for any self-respecting Red Dead fan. At first glance, it may seem like a tacky and pointless zombie add on pack, but do not be deceived. It serves as an entertaining journey through a compelling and rich universe to the player, one that we may have all seen before, but now shadowed over by the evil haunting amongst the land. Besides, given the chance to immerse yourself once again in one of the finest open-world surroundings in gaming, you would have to be dead to pass this one by. There really is plenty of bang for your buck.

The Good?

• 4-5  hours of Red Dead Redemption single-player content goodness.
• Plenty of replay value to come back to for the road to 100% completion.
• Two new Multiplayer modes for players and friends to indulge in.
• The price, a cheap fee to pay for a substantial amount of new content.
• Zombies.  Zombies. Zombies. Did I happen to mention the zombies?

The Bad

• Unresolved ending which may leave some players disappointed.