Zombie games are no longer a rarity in the video game market. From Resident Evil to Left 4 Dead, there’s a whole host of classic titles you can play alone or with friends. Project Zomboid, a small indie game, also joins this list, but it takes a completely different approach. Despite this, the game is still underestimated by many! So let’s take a closer look at Project Zomboid, as it hides a true survival gem that has caused quite a stir in recent years.
Flexible Character Creation for a Tailored Game
Let’s start with the creation of your own character, as there are countless customization options here that can turn the gameplay upside down. Unlike other zombie games, you can completely customize your character. It starts with appearance, but gets significantly deeper with various traits and preset skills.
In addition to a profession, you can choose between dozens of positive and negative traits to balance your character. You can’t defend yourself against hordes of zombies right from the start, but you’ll have to work your way up and develop your skills.
Endless Gameplay in Sandbox Mode
Project Zomboid is essentially a sandbox game, offering you various ways to tackle your problems. The beginning is really tough for beginners, and you’ll likely die within the first few days. But don’t worry, your progress is saved… indirectly. Your old character can return as a zombie, for example, and you can find your old base again if you’re lucky. Essentially, there’s no end to the game; you can play as long as you want. Fight zombies, build your base, or collect rare weapons and items. Everything is open to you!
Resource-Efficient and Hardware-Friendly
The graphics might seem off-putting at first but fit perfectly with Project Zomboid. The isometric perspective is reminiscent of the first “The Sims,” bringing great retro vibes with it! Not only does it make the atmosphere more oppressive and coherent, but it’s also surprisingly resource-efficient. This makes the game accessible even for lower-end hardware, making Project Zomboid a very accessible game. Additionally, the graphics allow for a certain attention to detail, which stands out particularly well with the pixel art style.
Detailed Survival Gameplay That Engages
Speaking of details, this is where Project Zomboid’s true strength lies! There are probably few survival games as detailed as this one. A good example is breaking into other people’s houses. You can go through the door, but sometimes they’re locked. You can break them down or dismantle them with a screwdriver. But be careful, you might trigger an alarm!
Windows are equally tricky. Break them without a weapon, and your character could get injured by the glass. And if you don’t remove the broken glass, your character could cut themselves while climbing through. Plus, the glass shards make a lot of noise and attract nearby zombies.
And that’s just one of the many complex systems in Project Zomboid. Whether it’s character creation, the healing system, or cooking—you’ll need to get familiar with many systems to survive in the end. And even the smallest mistake could mean your death.
Explore a Vast Map Full of Possibilities
These game systems also mean you can play the game for a very long time. You’ll always have a new challenge to deal with. Sometimes you’re short on food, sometimes you need to search for new ammunition. And sometimes your current base is overrun by a horde of zombies, and you need to retreat.
The map of Project Zomboid is appropriately large and offers many exciting possibilities to customize your gameplay. Even with a car, it can take several weeks to drive from one side to the other. You can live in the woods, barricade yourself in a police station, or reside in a charming single-family home. Again, the complexity of Project Zomboid is evident. The map is modeled after the U.S. state of Kentucky.
Multiplayer: Even More Fun with Friends
You don’t have to face the zombie apocalypse completely alone. Project Zomboid even allows you to have up to 100 players on a multiplayer server. This makes it even more fun and allows you to play together with others. If you get bored or don’t feel brave enough to face zombies alone, then a server with your friends is a great idea!
Future Outlook: Constant Updates and New Features
Like many other indie games, Project Zomboid is a “work in progress”—and has been for about 15 years. It is still in the Early Access phase and is actively being expanded and developed by the developer. So far, there’s no end in sight, and many exciting features are planned! This alone makes it enjoyable to try out the different stages and look forward to new updates.
As of now, the game is on “Build 41,” although a 42nd version has already been released for beta testers. This will, for example, introduce new crafting recipes into the game, offering players even more possibilities. Additional updates have also been announced, promising real NPCs, for instance.
Currently, planning extends up to Build 48, which is slowly steering towards a full release. But when that will actually happen is, of course, uncertain. The last two major updates alone took 2 to 4 years.
Conclusion
As you can see, Project Zomboid is a true gem among indie games and has experienced significant growth in the community, particularly in recent years. The complex gameplay, charming graphics, and constant updates keep many players engaged and provide an unforgettable experience. Rent your own server for Project Zomboid with us and battle through hordes of zombies with friends. Even though you might die now and then, the game is an experience in itself and will likely surprise you every time!
