We've talked a lot before about that if you're going to copy the formula of a successful game, you'd best have a firm grasp on what actually makes that game work. That way you have a solid foundation to build on, and hopefully you change enough to make the game your own. Zombie Carnival has high aspirations, trying to replicate the endless runner fun of Jetpack Joyride, and you might be happy to find out that they succeed, wringing some enjoyment out of the market over-saturation of zombies in the process.

You start with a sole zombie, running and jumping to collect coins and avoid obstacles. It isn't long till you come across your first victim... I mean human. Chomping down on their delicious brains zombifies them and adds them to your horde, and they will follow your tap to jump actions, essentially acting as extra lives (adding a dash of Grim Joggers into the gameplay stew). Before you know it you'll have a whole gaggle of zombies following you as the game gets faster, and more mines and tanks are thrown at your merry band by the pitiful human army. When your last zombie finally bites the dust, any missions you have completed will tally up (awarding you with coins for leveling up), as well as the game cataloging the brains feasted upon. Filling the screen with brains from multiple plays will culminate in a lottery ticket, that can award you with random items from the store. The store is what you would expect. Coins can be spent on silly hats and novelties, but there's also an upgrade screen that adds bonuses to the play, which gives you something more to work towards.

Now a lot of the charm of Zombie Carnival comes from its presentation. There's something about games with a claymation style that just raises the fun level of the experience. From the wide-eyed stare of the zombies, to their eating animation, to the special giant form; it all combines to create nary a dull moment. And that's what the game has to offer, some quick enjoyable surface level gameplay that should keep you returning because of the missions and store upgrades. A game with depth this is not, but sometimes you need something a little simpler, especially when you get to eat people and flip over cars.