9 Incredible Features WASTED On Disappointing Video Games

3. Permadeath - ZombiU

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Nintendo

ZombiU (retitled simply "Zombi" once its WiiU exclusivity deal was up) was an underrated gem for Nintendo's fledgling console. It wasn't perfect by any means (hence how it's ended up on this list), but its core survival loop provided a surprisingly compelling horror experience on a machine that was otherwise populated by classic, kid-friendly fare.

Really putting the emphasis on the "survival" part of survival-horror, the game implemented a permadeath system which would strip you of all your items should you end up zombie chow while out exploring. It wasn't punishing enough to strip you of your story progress, but dying would see you coming back as a fresh-faced character with only the bare necessities.

If you wanted your gear back, you'd have to find your previous self, now a zombie, and take them out. Even better, if you were playing online, the corpses of other players and their gear would also appear, subtly making their experiences part of your own. It made for some great risk/reward gameplay, but the combat itself was nowhere near enjoyable enough to make it totally worthwhile.

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Josh has over 11 years of experience as a published writer, having worked nine of those years as a full-time content producer at WhatCulture. In that period he has created hundreds of articles, videos and podcast episodes for multiple WhatCulture channels, specialising in gaming, horror and film & TV. He now primarily works as a senior content producer and presenter on WhatCulture Gaming where he co-hosts the WhatCulture Gaming Podcast, a top 3 UK most listened to gaming podcast that he co-created in 2018. Over the years he has reviewed several high-profile gaming releases, covered industry events with on-site reporting, opined on breaking news, and even kicked off his interviewing career by chatting to childhood hero, Tommy Wiseau.