Shoot the Zombirds – addictive shooting game of blasting undead birdies
by Paul Wilks
Aug 20, 2012 10:20 AM –
Install
Shoot the Zombirds is a cute and addictive shooting game available on Android and iOS. Basically, you are Pumpkin Boy and you have to stop the Zombirds from kidnapping the pumpkids. You have a trusty crossbow and a smattering of power-ups and, as the birds pass above you, shoot them down! The game features engrossing gameplay, a rich sound track and beautiful graphics. However, it’s a game that’s tanked up with various means of increasing its income; banner ads, TapJoy links in addition to in-app purchases… which altogether may put users off.
Price: Free, plus In-app purchases
Tested on: HTC One X
Content Rating: Everyone
Pros & Cons:
Pros
- Lush graphics!
- Brilliant music and sound effects!
- Lots of addictive levels!
- Simple to play, hard to master!
Cons
- Great casual game, but feels repetitive after a while.
- Not content with including the need for in-app purchases, also expect banner ads and TapJoy downloads.
Features:
Shoot the Zombirds puts you in the shoes of Pumpkin Boy, defender of the Pumpkids (essentially squealing baby pumpkins). Undead birds (the Zombirds) are trying to kidnap the orange-headed infants- probably for some sinister reason or another- and you have to shoot them down before they get away.
The game is simple to play- pull back on the crossbow at the bottom of the screen, aim and fire. Zombirds normally have to pass over you from left to right before coming back dragging a Pumpkid, so you have two opportunities to get them. You can only lose a certain number of Pumpkids before it’s game over. This begins at just two, but then goes up in increments. You also only have a limited number of arrows. If an arrow hits a Zombird, you get it back, if you miss it’s lost. If you lose too many, you run out of arrows and again it’s game over. The frustrating thing about the game is that you frequently run out of arrows… however…
As you play, you earn coins here an there… not many, but some. You can increase the number of arrows you start with, plus the number of Pumpkids you can afford to lose- in addition to various power-ups by spending these coins. While you do earn these coins for free, it will take quite some time to build up enough coins for the good power-ups.
Where as many free games now include either banner adverts, in-app purchases or opportunities to perform external downloads in exchange for in-game credits, Shoot the Zombirds takes the biscuit by including all three! In fact, I’m unsure I’ve ever played a game that is as geared up for marketing, advertising and cash payments.
The problem with some of these methods is that they take you away from the game- distracting you with other apps and games, other things to register to and… before you know it, you’ll have forgotten about Zombirds altogether. 
The sad things is, there is no version of the game you can buy outright and get rid of the ad-spam, get the power-ups you want in a way that rewards gameplay rather than your willingness to open your wallet. Oddly, the previous version of the game, Shoot the Birds, was a game you paid for so it would seem the developer dropped this model in favour of one which floods the gamer with ads and in-app purchases. While this might be down to ‘market forces’ it’s pretty sad by all accounts and sullies the gaming experience.
Watch on Mobile
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Shoot the Zombirds – Gameplay 1
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Shoot the Zombirds – Gameplay 2
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Shoot the Zombirds – Gameplay 3
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Shoot the Zombirds – Gameplay 4
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Shoot the Zombirds – Gameplay 5
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Shoot the Zombirds – Shoot them as they fly overhead
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Shoot the Zombirds – Catch them before they kidnap and Pumpkid
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Shoot the Zombirds – Lost all the Pumpkids
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Shoot the Zombirds – Out of arrows
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Shoot the Zombirds – Posting ads to your social network friends will help you earn coins
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Shoot the Zombirds – Store
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Shoot the Zombirds – Stats
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Shoot the Zombirds – Bank
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Shoot the Zombirds – Menu
Fun Factor:
If you can put the requirement for in-app purchases and in-app downloads to one side, the game itself is lots of fun and easy to play. Timing is everything in hitting the Zombirds just right. Tip: Catch the flying skulls to get extra arrows. There are loads of continuous ‘waves’ and gameplay can get quite frantic.
Addictive:
For a casual game it’s very addictive. It’s not a game you can play for long periods of time as it’s a little repetitive, but for short bursts it’s great. That is, until you need to start exploring ways to get more coins then, you’re going to have to leave the game and do other things as earn more credits.
Graphics:
The graphics are exceptionally detailed and vivid. The use of animation and colour is superb and a real highlight of the game.
Accelerometer, Vibration & Sound:
Sound is also immaculate; mixing great music with brilliant sound effects. These work perfectly with the game and are lots of fun.