Zombie’s Retreat 2: Gridlocked – A Disappointing Downgrade
Zombie’s Retreat 2: Gridlocked is a painfully average sequel that fails to capture the charm and competence of its predecessor, Zombie’s Retreat 1. The first game was a fun, self-contained survival story with a decent, if sometimes generic, cast, solid pacing, and a plot that balanced drama and intrigue. Its gameplay rewarded exploration, made resources feel scarce, and kept zombies a constant threat, creating tension. While the plot was simple, it had moments of excitement and memorable set pieces. Zombie’s Retreat 2, however, feels like a step backward in nearly every way—uninspired, shallow, and at times poorly written. It’s not a terrible game, but it’s a letdown compared to the original’s passion. Below, I break down why, using the first game as a benchmark.
Characters: Shallow and Uninspired
The cast of Zombie’s Retreat 2 is the most lackluster Siren has ever produced, with characters that feel like hollow shells compared to the original’s flawed but functional ensemble. Let’s start with the protagonist, a Gary Stu so bland he makes the first game’s forgettable MC look compelling. The original MC was bashful, cautious, and grounded, pushing the plot forward through meaningful interactions and relationship-building. In Gridlocked, the MC is a personality-free “good guy” who does trivial tasks like picking up trash or saving a cat, and women instantly fall for him. His dialogue is forgettable drivel, his appearance feels try-hard, and he’s portrayed as overly important and badass without earning it. He lacks self-interest, acts oblivious, and feels like a lazy self-insert. I can’t name a single trait beyond “nice,” unlike the first MC’s relatable caution or atleast snarky and comical inner thoughts at times.
The supporting cast fares no better, often feeling like watered-down versions of Zombie’s Retreat 1 characters. Jenny is as dull as the MC, with a plot so abrupt it’s laughable—do two simple tasks, and she delivers a cringe-worthy monologue proclaiming eternal love. Compare this to Rachel, who had spunk, attitude, and a distinct personality despite her simplicity. Nadia is a less intriguing Natasha, Stacy a less endearing Ashley, and Meredith a blander, less compelling Leslie. Meredith’s introduction highlights the downgrade: she’s immediately fine with the MC leaving and does nothing unless interacted with. Leslie, in contrast, freaks out when the MC returns with Rachel, checks on everyone, and tries to plan rationally, showing depth and care in just her opening moments. Leslie wrestles with her feelings for the MC, creating tension; Meredith’s romance just happens without as much inner doubt or genuine worry or wondering about her relationship with the Mc
Olivia’s plot is a prime example of recycled, poorly executed ideas. It’s a worse version of Caroline’s storyline from the first game. Caroline’s arc had ambiance and dread, tied to being hunted by Johnny, her obsessive stalker. She worries about the MC’s safety, examines injuries as the group’s medic, and only risks danger to uncover truths about their situation, adding depth and grounding her role. Olivia, however, sends the MC into danger to retrieve her panties, laughs off a stalker situation because she enjoys time with Gary Stu and is sad when you solve it?! this lacks any sense of urgency despite the zombie threat. It’s not just silly—it’s incoherent and undermines the stakes.
Other characters follow suit. Michelle risks your life and her life for a cat Which if you wanted to improve it just have her decide its not worth but The Mc can do it anyways to cheer her up that's a lot more natural and heart felt. Bridgette climbs a tower on a whim (not a deep-seated dream or at least doesn't give that impression very well), and then suddenly wants to fight corruption, a motive that feels tacked on. Stacy’s plot is a pale imitation of Ashley’s. Ashley’s arc is concise and heartfelt: a ditzy but genuine character who feels useless until she teaches the MC to swim, bonding through shared vulnerability. When she nearly gets the MC killed, her guilt and the MC’s support deepen their connection, revealing her character. Stacy’s plot? Drink milkshakes, kill her boss, make another milkshake. It’s mechanical and lacks heart.
The exceptions are Lucy and Fiona. Lucy’s independence and mystery make her somewhat engaging, while Fiona’s lively, vibrant personality stands out in an otherwise dull cast. But even they can’t salvage a roster that’s bigger but undeniably worse—shallow, poorly paced, and recycling ideas without the original’s charm.
Gameplay: Tedious and Tension-Free
The gameplay in Zombie’s Retreat 2 is similar to the first game—loot, shoot, survive—but somehow feels worse. The milkshake mechanic is a highlight, offering boosts like faster looting or more items, though most are mediocre. The expanded map is a double-edged sword. On one hand, new areas like the underground with traders, unique items, and a coliseum are visually appealing and add variety. On the other, the larger map makes scavenging a slog, turning exploration into busywork.
Worse, the zombies are barely a threat. In Zombie’s Retreat 1, zombies respawned every few days, including fast ones that challenged you in cramped spaces, maintaining tension. Resources like food and water dwindled daily, forcing careful scavenging and adding weight to survival. In Gridlocked, zombies don’t respawn for 90% of the game, so you can clear them out early, erasing any danger. Avoiding them is too easy, and the game floods you with resources, making food and water management a non-issue. The survival mechanics that gave the first game stakes are gutted, leaving a hollow experience.
Boss fights are another letdown. They’re often contrived, ranging from too easy to annoyingly repetitive (three shots and done). They add little to the plot or gameplay, sometimes even hindering both. Compared to the first game’s challenging encounters, these feel like afterthoughts.
Main Story: A Retread Without Stakes
The main story in Zombie’s Retreat 2 is a weaker rehash of the first game’s mystery and survival themes. In Zombie’s Retreat 1, the MC actively drove the plot, uncovering secrets through exploration and events, keeping players in the dark for intrigue. In Gridlocked, the story hinges on Lucy’s actions, with the MC passively following her lead, showing little curiosity until she acts. The plot retreads familiar ground, like investigating the red orb from the first game, but lacks engagement since players already know key details. Constant references to the original feel like lazy nostalgia bait, not clever callbacks.
The writing is a low point, relying on cheap tactics like flashbacks to explain characters or plot, which often create inconsistencies. For example, Lucy withholds critical information from the MC for no reason, undermining her character. A character introduced as a villain suddenly reveals he’s a good guy trying to save you, which just feels contrived because it relies on flashbacks and makes inconsistency in his character later on. The worst offender is Misty’s arc: after barely interacting with her (a paragraph’s worth of dialogue), she’s ready to unleash powerful zombies and declares loyalty to the antagonist. The MC stops her with a hug, instantly flipping her entire character. It’s not just bad—it’s laughably implausible.
Lucy’s dynamic with the MC is one of the few bright spots, offering a simple but decent relationship. But the weak cast, plot holes, and reliance on contrived moments drag the story down, making it feel like a shadow of the original’s modest but effective narrative.
Summary: A Letdown Cash Grab
If Zombie’s Retreat 1 is an 8.5/10 for its passion, competence, and fun, Zombie’s Retreat 2 is a 5/10. The art is good, the characters exist, and the gameplay breaks up the monotony, but it feels like a cheap cash grab, not a labor of love. Siren’s earlier works like Town of Passion and Zombie’s Retreat 1 showed heart, and good characters even with flaws. Gridlocked is uninspired, with shallow characters, tedious gameplay, and downright awful writing at times. It’s hard to believe Siren made this. I can’t recommend it unless you’re desperate for something to play or loved the first game enough to tolerate a downgraded clone. For fans of the original, this sequel is a real disappointment.
Zombie’s Retreat 2: Gridlocked is a painfully average sequel that fails to capture the charm and competence of its predecessor, Zombie’s Retreat 1. The first game was a fun, self-contained survival story with a decent, if sometimes generic, cast, solid pacing, and a plot that balanced drama and intrigue. Its gameplay rewarded exploration, made resources feel scarce, and kept zombies a constant threat, creating tension. While the plot was simple, it had moments of excitement and memorable set pieces. Zombie’s Retreat 2, however, feels like a step backward in nearly every way—uninspired, shallow, and at times poorly written. It’s not a terrible game, but it’s a letdown compared to the original’s passion. Below, I break down why, using the first game as a benchmark.
Characters: Shallow and Uninspired
The cast of Zombie’s Retreat 2 is the most lackluster Siren has ever produced, with characters that feel like hollow shells compared to the original’s flawed but functional ensemble. Let’s start with the protagonist, a Gary Stu so bland he makes the first game’s forgettable MC look compelling. The original MC was bashful, cautious, and grounded, pushing the plot forward through meaningful interactions and relationship-building. In Gridlocked, the MC is a personality-free “good guy” who does trivial tasks like picking up trash or saving a cat, and women instantly fall for him. His dialogue is forgettable drivel, his appearance feels try-hard, and he’s portrayed as overly important and badass without earning it. He lacks self-interest, acts oblivious, and feels like a lazy self-insert. I can’t name a single trait beyond “nice,” unlike the first MC’s relatable caution or atleast snarky and comical inner thoughts at times.
The supporting cast fares no better, often feeling like watered-down versions of Zombie’s Retreat 1 characters. Jenny is as dull as the MC, with a plot so abrupt it’s laughable—do two simple tasks, and she delivers a cringe-worthy monologue proclaiming eternal love. Compare this to Rachel, who had spunk, attitude, and a distinct personality despite her simplicity. Nadia is a less intriguing Natasha, Stacy a less endearing Ashley, and Meredith a blander, less compelling Leslie. Meredith’s introduction highlights the downgrade: she’s immediately fine with the MC leaving and does nothing unless interacted with. Leslie, in contrast, freaks out when the MC returns with Rachel, checks on everyone, and tries to plan rationally, showing depth and care in just her opening moments. Leslie wrestles with her feelings for the MC, creating tension; Meredith’s romance just happens without as much inner doubt or genuine worry or wondering about her relationship with the Mc
Olivia’s plot is a prime example of recycled, poorly executed ideas. It’s a worse version of Caroline’s storyline from the first game. Caroline’s arc had ambiance and dread, tied to being hunted by Johnny, her obsessive stalker. She worries about the MC’s safety, examines injuries as the group’s medic, and only risks danger to uncover truths about their situation, adding depth and grounding her role. Olivia, however, sends the MC into danger to retrieve her panties, laughs off a stalker situation because she enjoys time with Gary Stu and is sad when you solve it?! this lacks any sense of urgency despite the zombie threat. It’s not just silly—it’s incoherent and undermines the stakes.
Other characters follow suit. Michelle risks your life and her life for a cat Which if you wanted to improve it just have her decide its not worth but The Mc can do it anyways to cheer her up that's a lot more natural and heart felt. Bridgette climbs a tower on a whim (not a deep-seated dream or at least doesn't give that impression very well), and then suddenly wants to fight corruption, a motive that feels tacked on. Stacy’s plot is a pale imitation of Ashley’s. Ashley’s arc is concise and heartfelt: a ditzy but genuine character who feels useless until she teaches the MC to swim, bonding through shared vulnerability. When she nearly gets the MC killed, her guilt and the MC’s support deepen their connection, revealing her character. Stacy’s plot? Drink milkshakes, kill her boss, make another milkshake. It’s mechanical and lacks heart.
The exceptions are Lucy and Fiona. Lucy’s independence and mystery make her somewhat engaging, while Fiona’s lively, vibrant personality stands out in an otherwise dull cast. But even they can’t salvage a roster that’s bigger but undeniably worse—shallow, poorly paced, and recycling ideas without the original’s charm.
Gameplay: Tedious and Tension-Free
The gameplay in Zombie’s Retreat 2 is similar to the first game—loot, shoot, survive—but somehow feels worse. The milkshake mechanic is a highlight, offering boosts like faster looting or more items, though most are mediocre. The expanded map is a double-edged sword. On one hand, new areas like the underground with traders, unique items, and a coliseum are visually appealing and add variety. On the other, the larger map makes scavenging a slog, turning exploration into busywork.
Worse, the zombies are barely a threat. In Zombie’s Retreat 1, zombies respawned every few days, including fast ones that challenged you in cramped spaces, maintaining tension. Resources like food and water dwindled daily, forcing careful scavenging and adding weight to survival. In Gridlocked, zombies don’t respawn for 90% of the game, so you can clear them out early, erasing any danger. Avoiding them is too easy, and the game floods you with resources, making food and water management a non-issue. The survival mechanics that gave the first game stakes are gutted, leaving a hollow experience.
Boss fights are another letdown. They’re often contrived, ranging from too easy to annoyingly repetitive (three shots and done). They add little to the plot or gameplay, sometimes even hindering both. Compared to the first game’s challenging encounters, these feel like afterthoughts.
Main Story: A Retread Without Stakes
The main story in Zombie’s Retreat 2 is a weaker rehash of the first game’s mystery and survival themes. In Zombie’s Retreat 1, the MC actively drove the plot, uncovering secrets through exploration and events, keeping players in the dark for intrigue. In Gridlocked, the story hinges on Lucy’s actions, with the MC passively following her lead, showing little curiosity until she acts. The plot retreads familiar ground, like investigating the red orb from the first game, but lacks engagement since players already know key details. Constant references to the original feel like lazy nostalgia bait, not clever callbacks.
The writing is a low point, relying on cheap tactics like flashbacks to explain characters or plot, which often create inconsistencies. For example, Lucy withholds critical information from the MC for no reason, undermining her character. A character introduced as a villain suddenly reveals he’s a good guy trying to save you, which just feels contrived because it relies on flashbacks and makes inconsistency in his character later on. The worst offender is Misty’s arc: after barely interacting with her (a paragraph’s worth of dialogue), she’s ready to unleash powerful zombies and declares loyalty to the antagonist. The MC stops her with a hug, instantly flipping her entire character. It’s not just bad—it’s laughably implausible.
Lucy’s dynamic with the MC is one of the few bright spots, offering a simple but decent relationship. But the weak cast, plot holes, and reliance on contrived moments drag the story down, making it feel like a shadow of the original’s modest but effective narrative.
Summary: A Letdown Cash Grab
If Zombie’s Retreat 1 is an 8.5/10 for its passion, competence, and fun, Zombie’s Retreat 2 is a 5/10. The art is good, the characters exist, and the gameplay breaks up the monotony, but it feels like a cheap cash grab, not a labor of love. Siren’s earlier works like Town of Passion and Zombie’s Retreat 1 showed heart, and good characters even with flaws. Gridlocked is uninspired, with shallow characters, tedious gameplay, and downright awful writing at times. It’s hard to believe Siren made this. I can’t recommend it unless you’re desperate for something to play or loved the first game enough to tolerate a downgraded clone. For fans of the original, this sequel is a real disappointment.