Vaudoo: Kill them all Review - A fun zombie shooter that could've been better
Lacks a bit of depth.
Vaudoo: Kill Them All is a mobile game that's developed by Masseka Game Studio and released in May 2024. Vaudoo is a zombie survival shooter that lets you face relentless waves of the undead, with each new wave ramping up the intensity and pushing you to your limits.
Gameplay and Visuals
The game offers several features to keep you engaged. You start by choosing from three characters, with a fourth unlockable later as you progress. Vaudoo also features multiple locations, some of which require unlocking as you advance. This adds a layer of progression and variety to the gameplay.
The standout feature for us is the auto-aim mechanic which made the combat both satisfying and intuitive. It ensures your shots connect effectively, often landing headshots with impressive precision. This, combined with the escalating difficulty as you progress, creates a thrilling challenge. Taking down zombies feels smooth, with mechanics that make it easy to focus on staying alive rather than fumbling with controls.
Another highlight is the arsenal of tools at your disposal when things go south. Drones, mines, and other explosive devices come in handy during overwhelming moments, adding tactical depth to the gameplay. The drones, in particular, felt like a lifesaver during heated waves.
The game's health regeneration system is also impressive. Instead of simply clicking to restore health, you summon a drone that sprays a green healing substance. Players must stand beneath it while fighting off zombies to refill their health bar gradually. While this can be frustrating in high-pressure scenarios, We found it to be a creative twist that added an extra layer of strategy to the game.
What Needs Improvement
Unfortunately, not everything in Vaudoo hits the mark. For one, the gun sound design left a lot to be desired. Every weapon I tried sounded almost identical, which quickly become monotonous. I found myself either muting my phone entirely (because there's no setting that lets you mute the gameplay), or wishing for more dynamic audio. A patch to improve weapon sound effects would significantly enhance the experience.
Then you have the manual reload system which is another pain point. While the game’s challenge is part of its appeal, needing to tap a reload button mid-combat felt unnecessarily cumbersome. In the heat of a zombie onslaught, it’s easy to forget to reload and assume you’re out of bullets. An automatic reload option would greatly improve the flow of combat without compromising the challenge.
A more significant issue with this game is the lack of narrative or a clear sense of purpose. While the core gameplay is entertaining, it feels repetitive over time. There’s no context for why the characters are battling endless waves of the undead, and no meaningful progression beyond unlocking locations or a new character.
Even a light narrative or thematic objective—such as escaping the area or finding survivors—would add depth and keep players invested. Without it, the game risks becoming a repetitive grind. Also, while ads aren’t intrusive during gameplay, they do appear in menus unless you pay for a completely offline experience. While this is common in mobile games, it may frustrate players who want uninterrupted immersion.
Verdict
Overall, Vaudoo nails the essentials of a zombie survival shooter: it’s fast-paced, action-packed, and consistently challenging. The auto-aim feature and range of tools like drones and mines elevate the gameplay, making it enjoyable. The game's unique approach to health regeneration also stands out, offering a creative twist that rewards quick thinking.
On the flip side, the game’s sound design, manual reload system, and lack of narrative depth holds it back. The repetitive nature of the waves, without a larger goal or storyline, makes the game feel like it’s missing something crucial to keep players engaged for the long haul.