Burn Zombie Burn

Lore & Background

In Burn Zombie Burn!, the player controls a character named Bruce against a never-ending horde of zombies. The objective is to kill as many zombies as possible before dying, while reaching score thresholds to unlock more of the game. The core mechanic involves setting zombies on fire, which adds to the player's score multiplier. Burning zombies become more dangerous—they run faster and deal more damage—but they also drop power-ups that increase power, speed, and range, whereas normal zombies drop health and ammo packs. The game is split across six levels, each with a unique event triggered by the “Big Red Button,” which requires three consecutive weapon combos to activate. These events usually help the player but can also harm them later in the game. There are four modes: Freeplay, Defense (protecting Bruce's girlfriend Daisy), Timed, and Challenges, plus a tutorial called Zombie Academy.

Reader's Guide

Burn Zombie Burn! is significant as a downloadable title that received positive reviews, with an aggregate score of 76 on Metacritic. IGN rated it 8.3/10, praising its simple but flexible rules and the depth of unlockable content. GameSpot gave it a 7/10, noting that while it lacks variety, its innovative risk-vs.-reward scoring system makes it an intriguing entry in the top-down shooter genre. The game also expanded into PlayStation Home with a themed space featuring a mini-game called The Maze, where users could earn a T-shirt for their avatar. A downloadable content pack, Burn Zombie Burn! In Space, was released on the PlayStation Network on June 7, 2010, in North America, adding two levels set on an alien spaceship. A second DLC, Burn Zombie Burn! Zombie Sushi, was announced but repeatedly delayed and never released. The game's legacy lies in its focused, high-risk gameplay and its integration with PlayStation Home.

Did You Know?

• The PC version of Burn Zombie Burn! launched via Steam on August 12, 2010.
• A downloadable content pack named Burn Zombie Burn! In Space was released on the PlayStation Network on June 7, 2010, in North America.
• The PlayStation Home space for the game featured a mini-game called The Maze, which rewarded users with a T-shirt for their avatar if completed within two minutes.
• A second DLC, Burn Zombie Burn! Zombie Sushi, was announced but never released.