Extra Lives

Chaotic zombie sandbox with deep factions and brutal combat

Extra Lives is an ambitious, messy, and surprisingly absorbing survival adventure that drops you into a city where zombies are only half the problem. The other half is the humans, split into eight warring factions with clashing ideologies, fragile alliances, and plenty of grudges. It feels less like a scripted campaign and more like a living (and undead) world that constantly reacts to you.

You begin by creating your own survivor, tweaking stats and appearance, and then diving into a sprawling network of over 50 interconnected locations. Every area is cluttered with interactive objects: weapons, food, tools, and junk that can all be picked up, thrown, or used in creative ways. The sandbox design encourages experimentation, whether you’re barricading a room, arming a faction, or just seeing how much chaos you can cause.

Combat is clearly the star. Borrowing its feel from the Wrestling Revolution series, it offers a surprisingly nuanced system for such a scrappy-looking game. Distinct buttons for each hand let you punch, grab, and wield weapons with a sense of physicality that makes every brawl feel brutal and unpredictable. When fights erupt between humans and zombies in crowded spaces, the result is gloriously chaotic.

There’s also depth beyond the violence. Relationships matter: characters remember you, factions react to your actions, and your choices can slowly shift the balance of power across the city. Optional upgrades unlock full customization, more control over zombie numbers, and a dedicated Deathmatch mode for pure, pressure-free carnage.

On the downside, the retro visuals, cluttered interface, and occasionally clumsy controls will put some players off. Performance can feel rough in busy scenes, and the learning curve is steep. But if you can look past the rough edges, Extra Lives offers a uniquely wild, story-rich zombie sandbox that rewards persistence and experimentation.