ZombiU is a survival-horror first-person shooter about zombies. As you are probably thinking, this doesn't exactly sound like the most original setting for a game. However, with the clever applications of the Wii U GamePad, as well as some unique twists on zombie gameplay, ZombiU may just be worth keeping an eye out for.

Adhering to tradition, ZombiU has a heavy hand in making sure resources are in short supply while enemies are growing by the numbers. Helping you manage your limited supplies, such as weapons, ammunition, food, and med kits, is the Bug-Out Bag, which is located on the touch screen of the GamePad. It is the player's total inventory, which also includes key items and tools necessary to complete objectives. The GamePad has other uses too, like scanning environments for hidden items, solving puzzles, and aiming with a sniper rifle.

Not everyone can survive the zombie apocalypse, and with that in mind, ZombiU treats death in a unique way. If the player dies, he doesn't simply respawn at a checkpoint as the same character -- that character actually dies. Instead, the player finds himself in the shoes of another survivor, who has been alerted to the recent death of the previous character. The new survivor (with a completely different arsenal) must try to hunt down the recently-zombified character, put him out of his misery, and reclaim the items that were in his Bug-Out Bag.

In addition, when your character is infected, your online friends are alerted to your death and can come hunt down your zombified character and pillage your bag. Unfortunately, it is not clear whether this is exclusive to an online mode or if this can actively occur in single-player.

There is also a safe house mechanic of some kind, which provides the player with somewhere secure to stock up on weapons, ammo, and supplies, but not much more is known outside of that.

In addition to the single player mode, there is also a multiplayer mode where one player takes the role of the Zombie Master. The Master has a top down view of the level on the GamePad and can spawn enemies and spring traps with the touch screen, while a second player tries to survive using the classic controller.

ZombiU is expected to launch this holiday season.