First Impressions: State of Decay - Preview
by VGChartz Staff , posted on 08 June 2013 / 3,285 Views
State of Decay is a big game. In order to give you an in-depth review we want to spend as much time with it as possible. Unfortunately, that means posting the review a little later. So we thought we’d share our early impressions with you to let you see how the game is taking shape.
This is a preview of a game currently under review and as a result final impressions may change.
State of Decay is a big deal for Microsoft. With more and more gamers getting sick and tired of the lack of exclusives coming from the guys in green, State of Decay presents Microsoft with the chance to show that they are still getting quality, exclusive games to their customers.
State of Decay is developed by Undead Labs, a studio who clearly have big ambitions. If you’ve seen a trailer for State of Decay then you’ll know that Undead Labs are trying to do what many have found near impossible: create the ultimate zombie survival game.
The key word for you to hone in on there is survival. I’ve only scratched the surface of this unbelievably large game, but from the get-go it’s clear that you’ve got your work cut out. The world has turned against you, and around every corner is a flesh eating abomination ready to send you to an early grave, and I mean that in its most literal sense. State of Decay employs a perma-death mechanic, so when one of your characters dies, they’re dead. You can retrieve their belongings, but all of their experience and knowledge is gone. Their story is over.
This feature ensures that you treat the world with respect, and there’s plenty of world for you to explore. When you first check your map and retract that zoom, it’s hard to believe that this is a downloadable game. It’s that big. I’ve been playing for a good few hours, and I’ve barely left one small part of the map, which incidentally I still haven’t fully explored. There’s so much to do in the world, and thanks to the perma-death mechanic, every minor house raid or food run feels like a hugely significant event.
The RPG elements in State of Decay ensure that beyond keeping your character alive, the resource runs are extremely important. As the game progresses you’ll find a safe house that you, and other survivors, will take refuge in. These safe houses can be upgraded by using various items and materials, whilst the inhabitants will be kept happy via careful resource management. Scavenging is essential if you want to ensure that your group is brimming with morale and your base is secure.
There are also story missions to complete, however In my roughly five hours of play, I’ve barely touched those. That in itself shows just how good State of Decay is shaping up to be. The story missions are engaging, yet the fact that I find the simple scavenging tasks just as enticing proves that State of Decay is doing a hell of a lot right. Surviving, and surviving well in this world, is hard, rewarding, and immensely satisfying.
State of Decay could be the zombie survival game you’ve all been waiting for; be sure to check out gamrReview soon for the full review.
