The zombie apocalypse is an enduring and widely explored scenario in video games and other areas of popular culture, and obviously, there are a few pervasive zombie tropes within those stories. Because of this, Herbarium Games was eager to create a different type of zombie apocalypse game in its upcoming title,BUS: Bro u Survived.BUS: Bro u Survivedputs players behind the wheel of a school bus in a co-op apocalypse adventure. Set on Fang Island, it’s up to players to fight off zombies, fix the bus, rescue people, and ultimately escape the island while uncovering its mysteries.
Game Rant recently spoke with Herbarium Games head and founder Matthew Tkachev (translated by Herbarium designer John) aboutBUS: Bro u Survived’s take on the zombie apocalypse story. Tkachev also spoke more about the game’s zombie variants and shared an exclusive story-related cinematic. While avoiding spoilers, all of these details combined also give players more of an idea of what to expect from theupcoming zombie game.
Creating a Unique Zombie Apocalypse Story in BUS: Bro u Survived
When asked where the idea forBUS: Bro u Survivedcame from, Tkachev said he is a big fan of co-op games and had always wanted to make a zombie apocalypse game, though he wanted to do things differently.
“I always wanted to make a game in a zombie apocalypse setting, but I didn’t want to make it like most other games do—a grim setting where everything’s very dark. I wanted to make a different type of game which was vibrant and fun and the core aspect being overcoming challenges cooperatively together with your friends.”
Tkachev further explained howBUS: Bro u Survived’s story is one of its main stand-out features from other zombie games, in addition to its art style and colors. That bright, cartoony vibe also translates to the story, which is not the stereotypical seriousness and heft associated with zombie narratives.
“There’s a big emphasis on storytelling in the game, and I think we’re making a unique zombie-based story because we can say for sure that there is no zombie-based story that is similar to ours. Perhaps maybe players will willingly join the zombies in the end. Who knows?”
Zombie Variants and Designs in BUS: Bro u Survived
Looking atBUS: Bro u Survived’s colorful visuals, thePlants vs. Zombiesgamesmight come to mind for some players. Tkachev added the game’s"caricature-like" zombies look similar to zombies fromPlants vs. Zombies, but Tkachev also talked aboutBUS: Bro u Survived’s zombie variants and their designs, which he thinks are unique.
For instance, there are animal zombies, plus other special designs including zombies with tentacles, armor, or even cones on their heads. Likewise, these designs are intentionally less scary than traditionallyintimidating zombies:
“Everyone is used to zombies being evil and scary and all that. Players will doubt these assumptions in our game and, yes, we really do stand out from other zombie games. For example, right now on Steam, if you see zombie games at the festival, only our game has this sort of art style and colors.”
Interestingly, Tkachev also revealed more about the nature ofBUS: Bro u Survived’s zombie virus, stating that getting bitten by a zombie can sometimes have other effects like gaining superpowers or sharper senses. Of course, players will have to wait untilBUS: Bro u Survivedlaunches to put all the puzzle pieces of its story together.
BUS: Bro u Survivedis scheduled for release in 2024 for PC.
