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How Metascores Are Calculated
53
B-Boy
Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed games. |
It's Christmas time in New York City and a strange virus has appeared turning seemingly normal citizens into the insane, violent Infected. Rookie Officer Stevens is one of the first victims but unlike others, is strangely immune. The mysterious Dr. Schaeffer discovers that Stevens' blood can be used to destroy the otherwise invincible Infected, and creates a special "viral gun" that fills shells with blood from Stevens' arm and blasts them straight into the Infected, causing them to violently explode. Featuring an engrossing single-player campaign with lavishly gory details, Infected unlocks the world of Wi-Fi via exciting multiplayer modes. To participate in multiplayer combat, players create their own character or avatar. Those who are victorious in combat can "infect" the loser’s PSP system with their avatar and gain ranking points. Avatars can be defeated through a variety of methods, as well as passed along from player to player thus creating a viral chain letter of attack. Infect the world - spread your unique avatar like a virus to other players’ PSP systems via exciting multiplayer modes such as Deathmatch and Team Deathmatch; Form clans with shared uniforms, spreading the same unique virus to the lesser skilled; Set off massive chain reactions of exploding Infected, showering the streets with blood. [Majesco]
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more... 100
Detroit Free Press
The online ability to spread an infection to another player is so innovative that this game gets my top award, even if it's not perfect in other areas.
 91
Gamezilla!
There’s a whole heaping ton of unlockables, a really awesome wifi multiplayer feature, including Infect the World mode (where you infect players you beat who infect other players you beat, and so on), and the game is even nice enough to unlock all of the cutscenes and audio clips.
87
BonusStage
You’ll get all the thrills of those other zombie killing games without the stupid puzzles, annoying characters and confusing plot elements, the multiplayer is innovative and addictive and hell, this is the only legal way to spread an infection that won’t get you quarantined or run out of town or a rail.
86
Gamer's Hell
A breath of fresh air for the PSP’s game library. This title delivers a fast paced 3rd person shooter experience with a fairly substantial amount of depth. Although a more substantial single player campaign and better infrastructure game modes would’ve certainly helped.
85
TotalPlayStation
As you can appreciate the humor and enjoy pure arcade shooting, there’s really no reason not to pick this game up.
85
1UP
Thanks to this control scheme, Infected is designed tightly enough to be compared to classic shooters like "Robotron" and "Smash TV," but unfortunately the game takes this idea a bit too far with some of its missions.
85
Extreme Gamer
The perfect game for a quick fix if you are in a hurry. The concept behind the game is solid, and the action is quick and fun although it can get a little old in extended sittings.
85
PSM Magazine
Don't expect anything even remotely like resident evil. This is pure unadulterated blast- 'em-up madness. [Jan 2006, p.84]
84
Game Chronicles
The controls are great, the action is intense, and the challenge is continually evolving to test your skills and abilities. The relatively short missions are served in bite-sized chunks perfect for handheld gaming.
83
Game Informer
It's rife with humor, and the online play does an excellent job of using its core mechanics to keep even boring deathmatches fresh. [Jan 2006, p.156]
82
GameZone
The action comes at you with both barrels blazing and never lets up. With crude humor, a "B" movie plot and lots and lots of guns, this is a zombie fan's dream.
80
DarkStation
Infect the world to save it from oblivion. That's a pretty unique premise behind this surprisingly innovative shooter, and it is a blast to play with your friends.
80
Cheat Code Central
On one hand it's the most innovative PSP game ever created and on the other it just doesn't carry through on its promise of entertainment value due to the repetitive nature of the single player mission and the lackluster online mode.
80
Play Magazine
It's a bloody good time, and not even the most diseased, blood-crazed Santa Claus would put it on his naughty list. [Jan 2006, p.53]
80
PGNx Media
Thanks to the controls, shooting masses of zombies is pretty fun. The frantic gameplay keeps up throughout the game’s length, though it only checks in at a disappointing five or so hours.
80
Stuff
After about 15 minutes of gameplay, our thumbs felt like Robert DeNiro in "Casino" had worked them over in the backroom with a hammer.
80
Modojo
One big feature about the game is being able to customize your character with cool gear and good looks. There's quite a few models in here, including a familiar blood-sucking female named Bloodrayne that you can choose from (sadly, you can't use her powers here...sigh).
80
Thunderbolt
The type of game the PSP needs. Its light, fast-paced gameplay is great for just picking up and playing. With over forty levels, it’s got just the right amount of depth to be a top-shelf PSP game.
80
Yahoo! Games
Infected does get repetitive, there's no denying that. But the sheer action and stress-factor of clearing out mission areas, and the bloody, cartoonish joy of Bruce Campbell-ing your way through legions of splattering zombies to a Rawk soundtrack is probably more than you expected from a zombie-centric game in the first place.
80
Official U.S. Playstation Magazine
In spite of its goofy, vulgar, utterly over-the-top style...the game's damn addictive. [Jan 2006, p.105]
80
Gaming Target
Infected features 35 single-player missions of zombie-slaughtering gameplay, free of puzzles of full of pumping the dead with bullets and your own virus-curing blood.
78
eToychest
Infected isn’t a game for everyone. For zombie fans and road warriors looking for three-minute bursts of intense action, it is an easy choice.
77
Games Radar UK (Pre-2006)
It's not the most imaginative game on PSP, but it is entertaining. The fun of wiping out a group of slavering zombies with a well timed combo shot is enough to justify buying this. [PSM2]
76
PSX Extreme
Yes, it is repetitive and somewhat light on content, and it doesn't really push the PSP's capabilities, but it is also fun and extremely charming (in a dark, twisted way). Anyone that has been looking for a fast-paced, not-too-complex zombie killing game should definitely check out Infected.
76
IGN
We just wish the online multiplayer had continued the melee of the local multiplayer, because just two zombie hunters in a stage are not going to get these streets painted red.
75
GameCritics
An adrenaline rush can be a very welcome thing, and playing something this fast and trigger-happy on the PSP made me feel glad that I had spent the money on the unit after so many months of boring, flawed games.
75
GamingExcellence
If you're looking for a pure brainless gory game to pass the time and have decided not to reinvest the money you'd normally spend on a subscription to Tiger Beat magazine, I'd highly suggest Infected to cure what ails you.
72
My Gamer
But because the developers took the extra time to develop an excellent online mode, this is a game that should be played by all PSP players. And where else can you blow up zombies with a viral chainsaw dressed in a Santa suit?
72
GameSpot
There's a real raw, visceral satisfaction to Infected, which is undermined by a short, single-minded story mode and an ambitious but inherently flawed multiplayer game.
70
GamePro
The repetition of everything from the enemies to the wintry city streets sets in after only a few missions, but as constricted as the gameplay is, it can be exciting and fun in small doses.
70
GameSpy
There's no mode, though, where adding human players makes the arcade action more compelling. Whether playing humans or CPU, Infected feels pretty much the same.
70
Gamers' Temple
If you ever wanted to live the "Dawn of the Dead" experience, here’s your chance.
70
Adrenaline Vault
The offering does well with what it chooses to present, but it should have incorporated a more multifaceted play experience. Going back to try to get gold medals can only keep you going for so long. Nonetheless, the pure thrill of frenetic combat, interspersed with the humor, makes this title well worth trying.
70
Computer Games Magazine
It's a cute idea in the age of SARS and avian bird flu, but the real draw is the Petit-Guinol gore. [Feb 2006, p.93]
70
VideoGamer
Infected is the gaming equivalent of a video nasty that devotees of gore-splattered mayhem will lap up like a new Romero movie. Designed exclusively for the PSP, it also shows developers are starting to really think about what handheld gamers want, rather than just porting stripped down versions of established PlayStation franchises.
70
PALGN
Infected is so surprisingly enjoyable, it's almost infectious. It just needs a bit more substance.
68
Digital Entertainment News
The game does have some endearing visuals that manage to put a funny spin on rather grim material.
68
Play UK
Some nice ideas, but ultimately far too predictable. [Issue 141, p.99]
68
Games Master UK
For mindless shooting with a splattering of comedy, Infected does the job. [Aug 2006, p.81]
67
Jolt Online Gaming UK
Infected is one of those rare PSP games that manages to tick all the right boxes in terms of design, functionality and execution, so it’s no wonder it received so much hype prior to release. Sadly none of that translates to a particularly compelling gameplay experience.
65
Worth Playing
Average; nothing special but no glaring shortcomings either; any charm might be lost to fans outside of the genre.
65
Deeko
With only decent gameplay, simple graphics and the poorest infrastructure mode yet, Infected suffers from a disease of great ideas that have been exposed to a bacterial culture of poor execution.
60
G4 TV
If you’re not a fan of online play, you’d do better to keep your germs to yourself.
60
Pocket Gamer UK
Infected is more akin to a mild tummy bug than a potentially life-ending bout of Ebola. To be fair though, it's probably more entertaining than either.
60
Official Playstation 2 Magazine UK
An uninspired but likeable-in-places arcade shooter whose few good ideas are hamstrung by shoody design and weak AI. [Aug 2006, p.100]
50
Sydney Morning Herald
Rollicking old-style zombie-blasting action, but with only limited thrills whether played alone or with infected buddies.
50
NTSC-uk
Those who are not immediately drawn to it or enamoured with its subject matter will doubtless find very little to sway their mind towards purchasing or maintain their interest, with Infected's repetitive nature and lack of longevity doing little in the way of making it a standout title.
50
Edge Magazine
For all its potential, Infected delivers precious little in either world: a singleplayer that blooms too late, and an underdeveloped online experience that withers too soon. [Jan 2005, p.85]
30
Boomtown
Truly terrible.
James H. gave it a9: Ivan A. gave it a9: Joe Blow gave it a10: Marc D. gave it an8: Adrian Monster gave it a10: [anonymous] gave it a1: E V gave it a10: |
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