The latter certainly worked for Watch Dogs, which dedicated an entire multiplayer mode to an app. When ZombiU returned as Zombi for other systems, obviously this multiplayer could have worked via online peer-to-peer matchmaking or maybe a tablet app. It leads to an immensely replayable experience that’s still instantly accessible thanks to its asymmetric design. Different zombie types can cost more, so the Zombie King has to always weigh the risk and reward of a larger generic horde or a few imposing threats to keep the survivor on their toes. The survivor can respawn when fighting for control points and has multiple loadouts to choose from for multiple playstyles. Not to be outdone, there are granular nuances to each side of the affair to boot. Each map is clearly displayed on the GamePad, with a joyous, deranged announcer communicating what players need to focus on. Where the survivor player on the TV needs to be at least a little familiar with how first-person shooters work, the Zombie King on the Wii U’s touchscreen GamePad just has to tap and drag to spawn and control their zombie hordes. That’s the brilliance of ZombiU’s multiplayer.

This leads to what’s easily one of the best reimaginings of classic horde and control zone modes that you can play with pretty much anyone. At the same time, a second player controls the monstrous horde with the Wii U’s tablet GamePad as the Zombie King. One player fights as a human survivor in first-person on screen with either the Wiimote and Nunchuk or a Wii U Pro Controller.

ZombiU’s multiplayer is actually how the game got its start back when it was about tiny aliens rather than the undead.

Yeah, I know, everyone talks about how the campaign makes you use the GamePad for all sorts of clever gimmicks, but the real hallmark of Ubisoft’s odd little zombie FPS is its two-player competitive multiplayer. We’ll probably never have another system like it, which is a damn shame because it has some of the best local multiplayer games in years - ZombiU chief among them. To say the Wii U was an odd console may be the greatest understatement I’ve ever written here.

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