Zombie Wipeout

Zombie Wipeout is a fixed-screen, top-down shooter video game released for personal computers in 1993. Developed by a small independent studio, the game tasks the player with defending a fortified compound against waves of undead enemies. The objective is to survive for a set number of rounds or until a rescue timer expires. The player controls a single character armed with a standard firearm and limited ammunition. The environment consists of a single, non-scrolling map with barriers and chokepoints. Zombies spawn from the edges of the screen and move directly toward the player. The game ends when the player’s health reaches zero or all zombies are eliminated within the time limit.

Gameplay mechanics are turn-based in movement but real-time in enemy action. The player moves using the arrow keys (up, down, left, right) to navigate the compound. The spacebar fires the weapon in the direction the player is facing. The Z key reloads the weapon, consuming one ammunition crate from the inventory. The X key activates a temporary shield, which blocks one hit from any zombie. Tactical techniques include positioning the player in narrow corridors to limit zombie approach angles. Conserving ammunition is critical; the player should only fire when multiple zombies are aligned in a straight line. The shield should be used only when cornered or when a large group is imminent. Reloading is best performed during a lull in enemy spawns, as the animation takes two seconds and leaves the player vulnerable. The player can also lure zombies into environmental hazards, such as explosive barrels, by standing near them and then moving away before detonation.