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Developer: Sony Computer Entertainment Japan
Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment Japan
Release Date: Aug. 28, 2008
System: PS3
ESRB Rating: E10+
Official Web site
0:00 I wasn't too impressed with the
slow, buggy online demo that let you run away from zombies on any Web site, but I did like the general concept. Here's hoping the PlayStation 3 version is a little better made.
0:01 After a BIG seizure warning and an obligatory User Agreement, a breathy announcer croaks out: "The... Last... Guy." It sounds like he's dying. A lot of red guys that look like men's room signs are marching along the title screen.
0:02 How to Play: Rescue the survivors in each zombie-infected town, lead them to the escape zone before the rescue ship arrives. Game Over if I'm captured by a zombie. Simple enough. A few pages of controls talk mainly about how to control the camera.
0:03 A TV test pattern comes up with the logo for U.R.F.: United Rescue Force. I get it -- it sounds like Earth!
0:04 A raspy breathy, tinny Japanese voice (with subtitles) tells the tale. "The year is 20XX," and a mysterious purple beam has transformed people into strange zombies. "Our planet is almost destroyed." Those who were in buildings survived and "have been holding their breath, hiding inside buildings ... awaiting rescue. ... You are the chosen one." As
Neo might say... Whoa!
0:05 San Francisco is up first. I have 4 minutes to rescue 1,000 guys. Hey, if it's called
The Last Guy, why are there so many guys to rescue? I'm obviously not the last one.
0:06 The overhead view of a highly-detailed satellite map contrasts with cartoony dots representing people streaming out of buildings as I pass by. Eventually, a huge snaking mass is following me. I like the old-school music and sound effects that accompany the frenzy.
0:08 The people scream and panic and the controller rumbles as a zombie gets close. When the zombie touches them, they don't seem to die, but instead run back into nearby buildings, where I can re-rescue them. I've already got 439 in my line. Maybe it's time to deposit some.
0:09 Whoops. I hit X instead of start in the pause menu and restart the entire level. No confirmation screen or anything. Now that's bad design.
0:10 Now that I know the map and what I'm doing a little better, I quickly amass a line of 600 guys in before I encounter even one zombie. The mass screams with joy when I lead them back to the "Escape Zone." Satisfying!
0:12 I collect a few hundred more people, deftly avoiding the lone zombie as I do. Seems I miscounted -- my total's up to 990 guys saved. Here we go again.
0:13 I collect a few more in a nearby parking lot and get up to the proscribed 1,000. The level isn't done, though -- I can still save more. Well, I guess I'm not doing anything else.
0:14 "Time's Up" and a huge military ship flies in to rescue the saved citizens. I like the Katamari-style sound effects as the game counts up all 1,251 people I saved. I get a one-star ranking (out of three maximum).