Undead Protocol

Undead Protocol
Developer(s)	TitanForge Studios
Publisher(s)	RedSkull Interactive
Director(s)	Alicia Mendes
Producer(s)	Ryan Takashi
Designer(s)	Hugo Tran
Programmer(s)	Elaine Cho
Artist(s)	Trevor Drax
Writer(s)	Jenna Mallory
Composer(s)	Dominic Fields
Engine	GraveCore Engine
Platform(s)	PlayStation 5 Windows Xbox Series X/S
Release	October 28, 2024
Genre(s)	First-person shooter, survival horror
Mode(s)	Single-player, multiplayer, co-op

Undead Protocol is a 2024 first-person shooter and survival horror video game developed by TitanForge Studios and published by RedSkull Interactive. It is heavily inspired by the Call of Duty: Zombies mode, featuring wave-based undead combat, supernatural storylines, and complex map-specific objectives. The game was released worldwide on October 28, 2024, for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S.

Gameplay

Undead Protocol is a round-based first-person shooter that challenges players to survive relentless waves of undead enemies in atmospheric, ever-evolving environments. Each match begins with minimal resources, encouraging players to explore the map, uncover hidden areas, and unlock new tools of survival. The gameplay balances fast-paced arcade shooting with environmental puzzle-solving, light resource management, and deep narrative layers embedded within each map.

Players can choose from a lineup of six playable operatives, each with unique passive abilities and backstories that tie into the game's broader mythos. These operatives can be upgraded across multiple sessions, unlocking new perks, voice lines, and gear variants. Central to progression is the game’s "Reality Rift" mechanic, which allows players to briefly step into alternate versions of the map—revealing hidden objects, uncovering secrets, and even triggering time-limited buffs or debuffs depending on player choices.

At launch, Undead Protocol features five distinctive maps:

• Echelon Base – A Soviet-era underground research facility overtaken by experiments gone wrong. Features dynamic power reroutes and a reactor core boss fight.
• Sanctum of Decay – Set in a South American jungle temple overtaken by fungal corruption, this map introduces environmental hazards like spore clouds and shifting trap walls.
• Neon Wastes – A neon-lit city district overrun by AI-enhanced zombies. Includes wall-running sections, vertical mobility, and cybernetic enemy types.
• Blacktide Rig – An offshore oil rig plagued by weather anomalies and bioengineered sea horrors. The map includes flooding zones and a harpoon-based mid-boss encounter.
• Mirrorpoint – A fractured mansion floating between dimensions. This map heavily incorporates the "Reality Rift" system, flipping layouts mid-round and disorienting player navigation.

Throughout gameplay, players can utilize a modular crafting bench to combine artifacts found in the environment, resulting in unique weapon upgrades or consumables. A redesigned perk system lets players slot enhancements into their operator loadouts, providing new combat and utility bonuses. Boss encounters, known as "Final Trials," serve as map-specific endgame events that challenge players to complete intricate objectives under pressure, often revealing major lore developments upon success.

Game modes

• Classic Protocol offers the core round-based survival experience. Players endure infinite waves of the undead while progressing through each map’s hidden storylines and secrets. Each round introduces more aggressive enemy variants and environmental changes.
• Anomaly Ops serves as the game's narrative campaign, featuring objective-driven missions designed for solo or cooperative play. These missions highlight specific characters, expand the overarching plot, and often introduce unique mechanics not present in Classic Protocol.
• Containment PvP introduces a competitive twist to the Zombies formula. In this 4v4 mode, two teams compete on mirrored versions of survival maps, deploying sabotage tools, enemy lures, and zone disruptors in an effort to outlast the opposing squad while maintaining their own base’s defenses.

Plot

Set in the aftermath of a failed global bioweapon experiment, Undead Protocol follows the "Last Light" task force as they investigate outbreaks across the globe. The narrative is delivered through radio transmissions, cutscenes, and collectible data logs. The antagonist, a former scientist known only as **Mother V**, seeks to control the undead through a sentient AI-virus hybrid called **The Root**.

Key characters include:

• Elias Vahn, a former military tactician haunted by guilt.
• Dr. Nia Carter, a biotech engineer turned field medic.
• Havoc, a cybernetic soldier with unknown origins.

Development

Development began in early 2021, with TitanForge Studios aiming to create a standalone Zombies-like experience that emphasized atmosphere, replayability, and lore depth. The studio released several developer diaries detailing weapon design, map creation, and sound engineering. Undead Protocol uses the proprietary GraveCore Engine, optimized for dynamic lighting and AI horde behavior.

Reception

Reception

Aggregate score

Aggregator	Score
Metacritic	94/100

Review score

Publication	Score
IGN	8/10

Undead Protocol received generally positive reviews, with critics praising its atmosphere, map variety, and depth of mechanics. Some noted that it closely mirrors Call of Duty Zombies, but many appreciated its darker tone and expanded lore.

Legacy

The game developed a cult following due to its cryptic Easter eggs and hidden boss fights. A sequel is reportedly in development, focusing on cross-dimensional warfare and a reimagined perk system.

External links

• Official website