Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Infected delivers a relentlessly fast-paced third-person shooting experience that thrives on maintaining momentum. From the moment Agent Stevens steps onto the snowy streets of New York, you’re encouraged to keep moving, weaving between hordes of zombies and chaining together combos. The core shooting mechanics are straightforward—aim for weak spots, fire successive rounds to build up a meter, then unleash your potent blood vial for a spectacular explosion. This simple yet satisfying loop provides a constant thrill as you watch wave after wave of undead fall in dramatic fashion.

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The combo-based system is the real star here. Rather than mindlessly unloading your weapon, you’re rewarded for precision and timing: hitting multiple targets in quick succession directly amplifies the blast radius of your anti-zombie blood. Perfecting these chain reactions is immensely gratifying, as a single expertly placed vial can clear entire city blocks. The game also introduces weapon upgrades and special ammo types that mix up the pacing and encourage you to experiment with different strategies, ensuring that no two firefights feel identical.

Beyond the single-player mode, Infected’s online component takes the concept of viral spread to its logical extreme. As one of the first PSP titles to embrace persistent online play, it lets you “infect” opponents and see your unique virus strain propagated around the globe. Defeat an enemy and their avatar shifts to yours, marking a visual takeover that can be traced on an in-game world map. This ingenious feature adds an unpredictable social layer to the frantic shooting, motivating you to hunt down new victims and defend your own viral legacy.

Graphics

Visually, Infected strikes a playful balance between cartoonish gore and festive charm. The Christmas-time setting is vividly captured: snowflakes drift lazily across neon-lit billboards, while Christmas trees and holiday decorations create an ironic backdrop for the carnage. Character models are stylized rather than hyper-realistic, which suits the game’s comedic tone and keeps the overall presentation light-hearted despite the frequent explosions.

Special effects shine when you trigger a blood vial explosion. The satisfying burst of red, followed by the ensuing chain reaction as each zombie erupts, is accompanied by dynamic particle effects that look surprisingly impressive on the PSP’s modest hardware. Environmental destructibility is limited but effective: you’ll see shop windows shatter and street lamps flicker out under the barrage, lending a sense of tangible impact to your combat encounters.

Of course, technical constraints of the PSP do show themselves in occasional texture pop-in and a somewhat choppy frame rate during busy sequences. However, these moments are rare enough that they never interrupt the core fun. The user interface stays out of the way, with clear reticles and an unobtrusive combo meter that keeps you focused on the action. Overall, the graphics do more than enough to support the game’s frenetic pace and comedic style.

Story

The narrative in Infected is deliberately tongue-in-cheek, embracing the absurdity of a zombie outbreak crashing a Christmas celebration in New York. You play as Agent Stevens, an unflappable cop whose blood holds the secret weapon against the undead. The premise itself—your immunity becomes the key to weaponizing your own veins—sets the stage for frequent quips and over-the-top dialogue that keep the mood light and entertaining.

Mission variety in the story campaign helps to break up the combat. One moment you’re rescuing civilians trapped in a shopping mall, the next you’re racing against time to secure a vaccine prototype buried beneath Rockefeller Center’s ice rink. These scenarios are tied together with brief cutscenes that emphasize slapstick humor and one-liners, giving you just enough narrative context without dragging down the nonstop action.

Supporting characters, though not deeply developed, each bring a dose of personality to the proceedings. Whether it’s a panicky tourist shouting for help or a fellow agent cracking jokes under fire, the dialogue fosters a sense of camaraderie. While you won’t find emotional depth or complex themes here, the story succeeds at its goal: providing a lighthearted framework for you to indulge in zombie-slaying mayhem.

Overall Experience

Infected stands out as a uniquely entertaining ride, especially for players craving fast, combo-driven shooting with a comedic twist. The core gameplay loop—shoot, weaken, explode—remains compelling throughout, and the occasional weapon upgrades and mission objectives help stave off repetition. The online virus-spread mode adds a rare layer of emergent competition that gives the game a social hook beyond mere high scores.

Replayability is bolstered by the desire to top your own combo chains and see how widely your infection can travel on the world map. The game’s brisk pacing makes each play session feel like a quick adrenaline rush, perfect for handheld pick-up-and-play sessions. While purists seeking a serious horror experience might be put off by the light tone and stylized graphics, fans of arcade-style shooters and zombie comedies will find plenty to love.

All told, Infected is a memorable addition to the PSP library, blending outrageous humor with satisfying shooting mechanics. If you’re looking for a game that doesn’t take itself too seriously but delivers on action and personality, this virus-laden romp through holiday chaos is well worth your time. Grab your PSP, load up the festive carnage, and prepare to unleash a Christmas zombie apocalypse like no other.

Retro Replay Score

7.3/10