Pop Culture Movies and More: Stubbs the Zombie in Rebel Without a Pulse (Video Game 2005)

It’s 1959, and the city of Punchbowl, PA, is a beacon of progress and ideal living. Edward "Stubbs" Stubblefield rises from his grave as a zombie and decides to get his revenge on those who wronged him by killing humans, devouring their brains and causing mass destruction. Show the living that law and order are no match for a dead man on a mission. Releasing back in 2005, this reverse horror game instantly became a classic with its explosive comedy and bizarre zombie antics. The game would later acquire a remastered copy for the latest gen consoles for 2021, which is how I would come by it. Whilst not having played it back upon its release, I am happy to say I finally got to find out for myself why this is such a beloved classic these years later. I loved the setting of the 1950s as it reminded me of the popularity of the monster movies that were popular at the time. I further adored the hilarious nod in the title: Rebel Without a Pulse, to another 50s product, Rebel Without a Cause (1955). Whilst set in the 50s, there is a mixture of futurism with cars being able to hover, reminiscent of Back to the Future Part II (1989), robots who help out in all departments across the city and cops who have portable video communication devices that give this world a unique feel. You play as Stubbs a zombie who awakens, arising from the earth donning a fedora, ragged attire that exposes his left side organs and a never-ending cigarette in his mouth. His rampage is a truly crazy one that sees you devouring the brains of citizens and law enforcement alike as he makes his way through the city of Punchbowl in search of the lovely lady, Maggie Monday. With the added aid of the Guide Bot, Stubbs learns to do some peculiar abilities to use on your enemies. They include Unholy Flatulence which gasses a wide area of enemies, Gut Grenade which explodes turning anyone into a zombie, Sputum Head which can be used to ram groups then explode and finally Possession sees his arm detach and control others to do your bidding like shooting others. Utilising this wide range of hilarious attacks offers plenty of ways to play and certainly ups the ante against the equally wide array of enemies. You will come across police officers, the army, civilians, scientists armed with ray guns, farmers to barbershop quartets, there is an abundance of foes to consume and convert. Despite not being a very open-world environment style of game, the different maps you travel to offer a diverse collection of locations to spread your zombie ways from the grand futuristic utopia city to corn-covered farms. The main story is certainly outlandish with no concrete plot but more a group of random objectives that are so out of nowhere that they are practically brilliant. The overarching aspect of the story is that Stubbs is trying to find the woman he loves, Maggie, as he takes on the pursuing forces always on his case. Highlight-worthy missions include the confrontation with the police chief who, unexpectedly, turns the fated duel into a dance-off to some classic 50s songs, souped up for a fast-paced dance battle. I mean how often can you say you competed in a dance-off against a chief of police as a zombie to Mr Sandman, Lollipop, Earth Angel and more. It is easily the funniest sequence however, as the dance goes on it only gets harder and I certainly had a hard time trying to keep up the pace considering there is an achievement/trophy for getting 100% makes it all the more agonising to complete. Another sequence that made me laugh aloud was the random objective where Stubbs is desperate to pee and happens to do so in the water supply for the city infecting it. It was so completely unexpected that I couldn't help but chuckle. Overall, Stubbs the Zombie is a game that manages to deliver a crazy and unbelievably comical adventure that is exceptionally engaging in every way that is so fun even in its simplest of activities. I would highly recommend checking out this reverse horror that makes you the 'monster' giving you free rein to create some chaotic havoc with a story that provides an abundance of laughs. A fantastic single-player story game that further entertains with a split-screen option for a friend to join.