From the sick mind behind Bloodwash, Jordan King, comes his latest experiment in terror. Inspired by the Italian zombie flicks from Lucio Fulci and Bruno Mattei, Night of the Gates of Hell promises to be a blood dripping, neon soaked, flesh rotting experience.
The game requires players to carefully aim for headshots to take down the undead, as body shots alone won't put the zombies down. This emphasis on precision shooting creates a tense, anxiety-inducing atmosphere, as players must manage their limited ammunition supply wisely to survive the onslaught of slow-moving but relentless zombies.
Players cannot shoot their weapon while moving, forcing them to stop and line up their shots carefully. Likewise, to interact with objects or pick up items, players must holster their weapon, leaving them vulnerable to zombie attacks. This creates nail-biting moments where players must decide whether to shoot or interact, heightening the sense of risk and urgency.
The nonlinear level design encourages thorough exploration, as players can uncover valuable items, notes, and clues hidden throughout the environments. Solving environmental puzzles is often necessary to progress, adding an extra layer of challenge and discovery to the experience. Those who take the time to search every nook and cranny will be rewarded with helpful resources and a deeper understanding of the game's narrative.
Ammunition, health items, and other crucial supplies are carefully balanced, forcing players to ration their resources and make tough choices. If players find themselves running low on ammo, they can resort to using melee weapons like knives to fend off zombies at close range, though these too have limited uses. This focus on survival mechanics heightens the sense of tension and dread, as players must adapt to challenging situations with whatever tools they have on hand.
The game features over 85 unique zombie models, ensuring that players will rarely encounter the same undead foe twice. This variety keeps the experience fresh and unpredictable, as players must contend with a diverse array of shambling, menacing adversaries that contrast with the frantic, panicked nature of the combat.