If Samuel L. Jackson was a game, he'd be this.
First off if you are easily offended then the HOTD is not for you, this game is filled with gratuitous swearing, sex references, taboos that shouldn't be broken and blood… lots of blood, frankly the whole thing is disgusting and that is what makes it so fantastic! The game is presented in a Grindhouse style and if you have seen Planet Terror then you will know what I mean. The story is terrible, the acting shocking, plenty of swearing and completely unbelievable characters, it is just like watching a 1970's horror flick. Credit to Headstrong Games they have pulled it off spectacularly and the game is filled with hilarious quotes and references, it is the shake-up that the HOTD franchise needed. You play as Agent G (from previous HOTD games) in his first assignment alongside Samuel L Jackson (or Detective Washington) as you try to take down the evil Papa Ceasar with a little help from Ex-Stripper Varla Guns. The characters are all likeable and make you feel immersed in the world of Bayou City.
The HOTD is a Lightgun game which means you are entirely On-Rails so all you need to do is point and shoot, fortunately it does this very well. You can go for the head for the instant kill or methodically pick off limbs to prolong the poor mutants agony, with each shot met with a shower of blood and limbs flying all over the place. It is bloody, gory brilliance and is exactly what Umbrella Chronicles didn't do. You have your standard Lightgun fare with Grenades, Health packs, and collectibles to shoot to unlock extras like art, 3D models and music. The game also includes a Slow Mo(-Fo) mode where the action slows down and you pop a mutants head clean off which is always worryingly enjoyable. The game is set through a variety of locales including Hospitals, Swamps, Trains and the Police Station they are all nicely designed to be just like the cheesy locations you see in low budget films.
The main problem with the HOTD is that it is very short, it can be completed in about 2 hours and the Director's Cut mode in 3 hours. So if your not one to go back and replay your games then don't bother but the HOTD does offer plenty of replay value as you go for High Scores, buy and upgrade new weapons (a la Ghost Squad) and shoot the Golden Brains to go for 100% completion so there is plenty to do plus it is a game that you can always bring out for a quick play with friends so it will last. Another problem is the framerate stutters a lot and this can become annoying as it disrupts the flow of the game, this mainly occurs when there are lots of mutants on screen but in this day and age slow down of this extremity cannot be forgiven. Finally this game is very easy the minute you buy a shotgun the game loses all it's challenge and with two players it gets even simpler and the boss fights are not as hard as previous HOTD bosses with most too easily defeated.
The graphics and sound in this game are up their with the best on Wii. The graphics are detailed but still maintain that Grindhouse feel and the music is hilariously brilliant with each track having a great beat to hum along to and they fit the games style fantastically. The Cut Scenes are the funniest things I have ever seen playing video games with the dialogue between Agent G and Detective Washington making some great comic moments that will stay in your head for an age.
Ultimately the decision to but the HOTD:OK rests with how much you enjoy rail shooters because if you do your in for a treat but for those of you who may not be that fond the hilarious storyline and fast paced action make this a game that all 'Hardcore' Wii owners should be at least trying, if not don't blame me when the next game is called The House of the Dead: Pet Rescue Centre.
Pros
+ Hilarious Cutscenes and so-bad-its-good voice acting
+ Great arcade shooting fun with plenty of replay value
+ Brilliant soundtrack and Graphics
+ A 'mature' Wii title!
Cons
- Framerate stutters are frustrating
- Short and too easy
- Content may offend some (the endings pretty messed up!)
Overall
8/10