Poll: Zombies: Slow or Fast?

[WeAreStevo]

So I've been a long time Zombie fan, way back to before the latest craze of "zombies make everything better" that happened within the last decade. However, with the current onslaught of zombies into several different mediums (books, video games, movies, tv shows etc.) there has been some discrepancies into how they move.

Now, I don't want to sound pompous, but I prefer the more traditional way of zombies (back from NOTLD when they were called "ghouls") moving where they are slow, shambling corpses that use their numbers to overwhelm survivors. An example of this can be seen in the first three George Romero "dead" movies (Night, Dawn, Day) or more recently in "The Walking Dead" on AMC. However, there is a entirely different group who says "no, that's not how zombies should move, they should be able to run, jump etc (See also: Dawn of the Dead remake).

Now, personally, I feel that if they are running, then they should be referred to as "infected" (like in 28 Days/Weeks Later, L4D series, Dead Island) but some people disagree.

So I want to ask you Escapist,

What do you prefer when it comes to zombies?

 

[Comando96]

Slow... with the occasional fast one to keep people on their toes. Not many fast ones at all though.

 

[dickywebster]

Slow, cause they theyre the shambling horde or the undead, not guys with rabies (28 days later)

 

[The Austin]

I prefer fast zombies, usually because fast zombies mean they're more fragile.

 

[VaudevillianVeteran]

I believe slow, if only because that's how traditional zombies are portrayed, while the scarier/faster zombies are seen as 'infected', still good though.

 

[Wolfhowl the shadow lurker]

i think they should be able to move as fast the the person before they become infected with the green flu or whatever

 

[Von Ribbentrop]

Well how fast can dead man walk?
Really slowly.

 

[skatch13]

They should move as fast as their body allows. If they are freshly killed with both legs in working order than running jumping whatever should be allowed. If however their legs are damaged or they have been dead for some time, and rot is starting to set, their movements should be appropriate.

 

[Esotera]

Slow. Nothing with flesh that decomposed would be able to run that fast. What's their magical source of power? Plus they make for harder target practice.

 

[BloatedGuppy]

I know it's sacrilege but I prefer fast zombies. I just can't get too fussed about an opponent I can casually amble away from.

 

[Stall]

Now, personally, I feel that if they are running, then they should be referred to as "infected" (like in 28 Days/Weeks Later, L4D series, Dead Island) but some people disagree.

Uhhh, so the zombies in Return of the Living Dead are "infected," despite the fact we readily see them rise from the grave and re-animated? Okay... I get the sense you've never seen RotLD before, which is sort of ironic since you are doing the whole "I liked them before they were cool herp a derp!" nonsense...

Anyways, both are fine. I find it unbelievable that there are people out there who don't see the merits in both 'styles' of zombies. Is it supposed to be edgy? Cool? I don't fucking get it.

 

[Shock and Awe]

Slow, it makes the tensity grow slow and steady making the end that much better.

 

[Voodoo_Person]

Slow for me, I was always under the impression that the whole rotting corpse thing meant that they were slow and shambling. The infected from the 28 Days/Weeks films is a terrifying fucking concept though

 

[Scarim Coral]

Honestly slow, I mean their body is degrading enough that their muscle is too weak to be able to run (thy're barely standing).

 

[TimeLord]

"The dead don't shuffle. They run!" [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/videos/view/miracle-of-sound/4134-The-Dead-Dont-Shuffle-Left-4-Dead]

I think slow zombies are scarier in films and games. A running zombie could just be an escaped mental patient that likes to bite things!

 

[-Dragmire-]

Slow, I consider that a basic trait of zombies.

Spoiler: First exposure to the concept of zombies.

[sub]For some reason I can accept undead animals being able to run, just not undead humans.[/sub]

 

[smearyllama]

Classic Romero zombies- They can be fast occasionally, and show some intelligence, but are mostly stupid and slow.

 

[maddness666]

They should be slow.

It adds a sense of inevitability to the whole thing I think.

 

[Redlin5_v1legacy]

I believe slow, if only because that's how traditional zombies are portrayed, while the scarier/faster zombies are seen as 'infected', still good though.

Mmmhmm. I liked the whole being able to outrun them but not the need for food, sleep, etc bit. However fast zombies make for good horror too and are fun to fight. I'd much prefer the slower corpses if Z-Day hits.