A new game has popped up for the second half of August 2015 Games with Gold on Xbox Live. How to Survive: Storm Warning Edition is a great grab this month if you need a break from the traditional FPS. For one, this game is a third person title that almost reminiscent of a 3D version of Contra (for the gamers old enough to remember it).
Without giving any spoilers, HtS has a storyline that you would expect from a zombie based survival game. The general idea is that you need to survive. What separates HtS from many zombie based games is the open world environment. You unlock certain areas as you progress, but you can revisit any area at any time to take on optional quests or just explore for resources.
Speaking of resources, another great quality of this game is the salvage and build system. In many zombie games, you simply pick up a weapon and start shooting. But HtS gives the player the ability to build weapons and armor out of items the salvage during gameplay. These items can even be improved over time by picking up new blueprints found on the islands.
Like many games, the player has the option of different characters to choose from. Pay attention to the stats and special skills as you choose because each character will fit a different play style. Some characters special in strength and health for up close combat, while others favor endurance and precision for long range combat. Aside from the basic stats, some players can build and use items not available to the other characters.
All things considered, I would easily give this game 8/10. It has a good story, good gameplay, a friendly interface, and a very unique building system. If zombies and open world games are your thing, hurry and grab your copy off Games with Gold before it disappears at the end of August.
