When Surviving is Everything

Just like the undead, the zombie genre doesn’t seem to go away. I’m not complaining, but I would like to see more sandbox zombie apocalypse survival games. We’ve had a few come out in the last few months like State of Decay and Seven Days to Die, but this little corker has popped up on Steam Early Access and I've very much taken a liking too it.

Project Zomboid is an isometric zombie survival sandbox, and an unforgiving one at that. You’ll have to scavenge for food, supplies and stock up on water before the water and electricity go out…for good. Zombies aren’t a pushover either. It could take only one scratch before you join the zombie hoards, and a bite is a sure (un)death sentence. The other enemy is you; keeping yourself fed, hydrated, well slept and trying not to get sick is all on the table. Even preventing yourself from boredom, depression and insanity requires a delicate management of time and resources.

Sneak, Loot and Fight to survive.

Despite all this, the game gives you fantastic sandbox to play in. Although I will admit the towns are a bit bare, the game has invested a lot of time in making everything require strategy. You’ll need to plan how you’ll break into buildings beforehand in case a horde is waiting for you inside. Your food won’t last forever and you’ll need fruit and vegetable crops which require you to plant a garden and keep it watered. You can even go as far as to build your own stronghold with material you loot around the town.

Although it’s still in early development, there is a great deal of customisation for your sandbox ranging from in-game day time from one day per hour to real-time to what kind of zombies you want, shamblers or do you prefer the sprinting undead? There is still much content to be added, including NPCs and story modes, but right now you have a very playable survival sandbox.

You’re walking a very fine line of survival; one slip will usually mean certain death, which makes this game that much more desperate and enjoyable. You can find it on Steam or check out their page.