ByteDance's Pylon Games has quietly begun testing a new mobile game titled Zombie Works in several overseas markets, including the UK, Canada, the Philippines, and Indonesia.
Zombie Works is a cartoon-style zombie-themed strategy game (SLG) with gameplay similar to Tiles Survive!. Players lead a group of survivors to a shelter and gradually engage in activities such as building power towers, constructing dormitories and cafeterias, strengthening defenses, clearing fog of war, and recruiting heroes.
The game's approach to the zombie theme is quite interesting—zombies are designed with a cartoonish style reminiscent of Minions, and dormitories are depicted as large pods filled with green liquid. Additionally, Zombie Works in corporates a wave-clearing sub-gameplay mechanic where players must periodically defend against increasingly powerful enemy hordes.
After nearly 30 minutes of gameplay, the world map is unlocked. Based on the map layout, it appears that players will interact around various types of neutral resources. New players enjoy a grace period with immunity from attacks, suggesting a relatively moderate pacing in the early stages.
The introductory tutorial effectively reveals its visually distinct art style and layered gameplay structure from the outset.
Art Style:
The game employs a vivid 3D cartoon-rendered aesthetic, portraying both zombies and survivors with exaggerated features and bright colors. This approach strips away the horror typically associated with the genre, creating a lighthearted, almost comical atmosphere.
Core Gameplay Loop:
Base Building: Players develop their shelter from a rudimentary refuge into a high-tech zombie research outpost, complete with unique structures such as energy towers and dormitories with green liquid capsules.
Sub-Gameplay – Wave Clearing:
In addition to strategic planning, players engage in real-time defense missions, utilizing an arsenal of weapons (e.g., machine guns, flamethrowers) to fend off zombie waves. This adds action-oriented, short-burst excitement to the traditionally slow-paced SLG format.
World Map & PvP Dynamics:
The map suggests potential player-versus-player interactions centered on contested neutral resources and strategic points. New players are protected by a temporary “shield” mechanic, visually represented as an energy barrier.
In summary, Zombie Works represents an attempt to innovate within the saturated SLG market by combining traditional strategy elements with wave-clearing action and RPG-like hero progression. Its cartoonish appeal targets a broader, more casual audience. The game is still in early testing, and its long-term viability will depend on how well it balances and integrates these diverse mechanics.
