Why aren’t rail shooters to VR what 8-bit sidescrollers are to indies? They’re an accessible fun formula, easy to personalize, and perfectly fit the VR experience. So why after over a year of exploring VR, is Zombieland: Headshot Fever one of the only ones I’ve played? Not that it’s a bad thing, to be fair. Zombieland: Headshot Fever is both a fun rail shooter and a great VR experience. And after spending some time with it, it’s made me want so much more.

It’s not the most complex game, and thus easy to describe. It’s set in the Zombieland universe, although I have no idea if it’s canon to the movies. I imagine not, even though there isn’t exactly a lot here to have it matter one way or the other. You play as some random guy who joins up with the gang in order to win a zombie killing tournament. That’s the premise, plot, and story all right there. Like I said, not that complex.

The gameplay is standard rail shooter. You’re on rails through levels set in a variety of locales. You move from node to node, room to room, killing every zombie you see. Two headshots trigger a bullet time-like mode (called Adrenaline mode), which also critically slows down the clock. Because this is a time trial rail shooter, where the clock means everything. Faster times, means higher scores, and you unlock more stuff. Unlockables include more guns, perks (which are exactly as you imagine), and new levels to headshot your way through. Eventually you’ll unlock the Zombieland Invitational, which is where the real competition begins. All in all, it’s a very simple game, which is its biggest strength.

It’s just a lot of fun. That’s the most and least I can say about it. Shooting zombies is fun. Nailing those headshots to trigger bullet time/adrenaline mode is a rush. Competing both against your own times as well as the rest of the world’s gives you something to always aim for. It’s the kind of game that knows what it is, knows what it’s trying to do, and just does it. It’s lean, built for the medium, and does everything it does very well. Sometimes all you want a quick pick up and play kinda game. This game is exactly the answer for that desire.

Performance-wise, I didn’t have any issues. When it comes to VR, this can be critical, even more than usual. In all my playing I didn’t spot performance issues of any kind. This is especially good because the visuals don’t exactly look like something that should be demanding. They’re not ugly, just simple. Which works mind you, but if paired with significant performance issues would be a serious problem. I was playing on the Oculus Quest 2, which has become my go to VR device. Wireless play really does change everything, on top of VR already wowing me as is.

Zombieland: Headshot Fever was a way better game than I was expecting. I was expecting both a shoddy media tie-in game and a terrible VR experience. Instead I got a fantastic example of what VR is great at, and a fun game to boot. It won’t set the world on fire, nor is it even the best zombie VR game (Saints & Sinners exists). But it’s a fantastic game on it’s own, and VR owners, rail shooter enthusiasts, and people simply looking for a fun game definitely shouldn’t sleep on this one.

Graphics: 7.0 It looks good. Simplistic yes, but good.	Gameplay: 9.0 It’s a simple gameplay loop and it feels satisfying as hell, both mechanically and physically.
Sound: 5.0 While an improvement voice acting wise on the last Zombieland game, it isn’t exactly good.	Fun Factor: 9.0 It’s quick dumb fun. It’s perfect for the pick up and play VR experience.
Final Verdict: 8.0

Zombieland: Headshot Fever is available now on Oculus Quest.

Reviewed on Oculus Quest 2.

A copy of Zombieland: Headshot Fever was provided by the publisher.