Project Zomboid Review: A Bite-Sized Apocalypse
Exploring the depth of survival in a pixelated zombie-infested world.
Early Access Review
last updated Nov 27, 2023
Project Zomboid is a masterpiece in masochism that'll have you balancing a fine line between strategic survivalist and reckless zombie chow.
A Dance with the Undead
Stepping into Project Zomboid is akin to entering a ballroom where the partners are as graceful as a freight train and just as deadly. This isn't your toddler's 'whack-a-zombie' arcade game; it's a grueling test of survival skills where every action could be your last tango. The beauty lies in the delicate balance of gameplay elements: scavenging, base-building, crafting, and combat all intertwine in a ballet of the bleak. Also, let's not forget the 'fun' of meticulously organizing inventory, because who doesn't love a good game of Tetris after running for their lives? Despite its 2D perspective, the game has a depth that often surprises, pushing players to their limit and creating unparalleled emergent stories.
Ear Candy in the Apocalypse
The audio experience in Project Zomboid could be likened to a fine wine – it gets better with time and is potentially hazardous to your heart rate. The sound design excels in fostering an atmosphere so tense, you could cut it with a knife, assuming you haven't already used it on a zombie. Environmental sounds buzz with eerie realism, while the soundtrack... Well, let's just say it does a fantastic job reminding me that hope is just the first step on the road to disappointment. But it's the jump scares that really deserve a round of applause for their 'excellent' timing. There's nothing like the gentle lull of looting that's suddenly interrupted by the audio equivalent of being drop-kicked by a zombie.
A Pixel-Perfect Doomscape
Graphics in Project Zomboid are a love letter to the retro aesthetics, blending pixel art with modern effects to create something altogether charming and chilling. It's like walking through a pixelated nightmare, occasionally stopping to admire the way the light scatters through the blood-spattered windows. And let's talk performance – this title runs smoother than a greased-up zombie on an ice rink. However, artists and those with an aesthetic eye might cry at the sight of clipping or the occasional textures having what I can only describe as a 'digital seizure'. But overall, Zomboid's visual presentation is as solid as the barricade you should be building instead of admiring the trees.
Challenges Beyond the Grave
Diving into Project Zomboid, players will soon realize that the zombies aren't the only challenge. The game seems to take sheer delight in inventing new ways for you to perish. Thirst, hunger, disease, and a miscalculated jump from a second-story window all loom as potential end credits to your survival story. There's a wealth of content to explore and to craft – though some might argue it feels like a part-time job on a construction site. Furthermore, let's raise our glass to the modding community, the unsung hero of this game, whose contributions flesh out the game like... well, much-needed flesh on a zombie.
EARLY ACCESS RATING
Developer & Publisher
The Indie Stone
Early Accesss Release Date
November 08, 2013
The Verdict
Project Zomboid is a masterpiece in masochism that'll have you balancing a fine line between strategic survivalist and reckless zombie chow. Its deep mechanics and satisfyingly complex gameplay will envelop you like the horde you just foolishly attracted with a banged-up car alarm. Whether you're a solo survivor or thriving in multiplayer mayhem, Zomboid is your game if you've got the guts - and don't mind them being eaten now and then. Highly recommend lacing up your best running shoes and diving into this pre-apocalyptic sim.
