Project Zomboid
" Immersive indie RPG survival sim with deep crafting and multiplayer, but slow updates and bugs "
Project Zomboid Review
Project Zomboid is widely regarded as one of the most realistic and immersive zombie survival simulators available, praised for its depth, atmosphere, and extensive modding community. The game offers a highly customizable sandbox experience with complex mechanics such as crafting, farming, and survival systems that reward thoughtful play. Its steep learning curve and unforgiving difficulty contribute to a tense, authentic survival experience where every decision matters.
However, the game has been in Early Access for over a decade, and many players express frustration with the slow development pace and lack of promised features like NPCs. The core gameplay loop can become repetitive, especially in the late game, and some technical issues like save corruption and occasional bugs persist. Despite these drawbacks, the passionate community and mod support keep the game engaging for many. Overall, Project Zomboid is a niche but highly rewarding survival game that demands patience and dedication.
Highlights
Highly praised features include: the deep and detailed gameplay mechanics that simulate survival realistically, the immersive and tense atmosphere, and the extensive modding support that greatly enhances replayability.
The game’s unique approach to zombie survival—focusing on vulnerability and realism rather than overpowered characters—is frequently commended. Players also appreciate the customizable sandbox options and the strong multiplayer experience with friends.
Criticisms
Common criticisms focus on: the extremely slow development cycle with minimal major updates over many years, leading to frustration among the player base.
Many feel the game lacks meaningful late-game content and promised features like NPCs remain absent. Technical issues such as save game corruption, clunky UI, and occasional bugs also detract from the experience. Additionally, the steep learning curve and repetitive gameplay can be off-putting to some.
Pros
- • Extremely detailed and realistic zombie survival mechanics enhance immersion and challenge.
- • Highly customizable sandbox settings allow players to tailor the experience to their liking.
- • Strong modding community adds endless replayability and fresh content.
- • Authentic atmosphere with an emphasis on vulnerability and survival tension.
- • Engaging multiplayer mode enhances fun with friends and cooperative play.
- • Complex crafting, farming, and character development systems provide depth.
- • Regular updates, though slow, introduce interesting new features and fixes.
Cons
- • Development pace is extremely slow, with years between major updates.
- • Promised features like NPCs remain absent after many years of Early Access.
- • Late-game content can feel repetitive and lacking in purpose.
- • Save game corruption issues frustrate long-term play sessions.
- • User interface is clunky and unintuitive, especially for new players.
- • Occasional bugs and performance issues persist despite updates.
- • Steep learning curve can be discouraging for newcomers.
Rating Criteria
About This Game
Project Zomboid is an open-ended zombie-infested sandbox. It asks one simple question – how will you die?
In the towns of Muldraugh and West Point, survivors must loot houses, build defences and do their utmost to delay their inevitable death day by day. No help is coming – their continued survival relies on their own cunning, luck and ability to evade a relentless horde.
Current Features
- Hardcore Sandbox Zombie Survival Game with a focus on realistic survival.
- Online multiplayer survival with persistent player run servers.
- Local 4 player split-screen co-op
- Hundreds of zombies with swarm mechanics and in-depth visual and hearing systems.
- Full line of sight system and real-time lighting, sound and visibility mechanics. Hide in the shadows, keep quiet and keep the lights off at night, or at least hang sheets over the windows.
- Vast and growing map (loosely based on a real world location) for you to explore, loot and set up your fortress. Check out Blindcoder’s map project:
- Vehicles with full physics and deep and realistic gameplay mechanics.
- Use tools and items to craft weapons, barricade and cook. You can even build zombie proof forts by chopping trees, sawing wood and scavenging supplies.
- Deal with depression, boredom, hunger, thirst and illness while trying to survive.
- Day turns to night. The electricity falters. Hordes migrate. Winter draws in. Nature gradually starts to take over.
- Farming, fishing, carpentry, cooking, trapping, character customization, skills and perks that develop based on what you do in-game.
- Proper zombies that don’t run. (Unless you tell them to in the sandbox menu).
- A ton of amazing atmospheric music tracks by the prodigy that is Zach Beever.
- Imaginative Challenge scenarios and instant action ‘Last Stand’ mode, on top of regular Sandbox and Survival
- Full, open and powerful Lua modding support.
- Xbox Controller Gamepad support on Windows. (Other gamepads can be set up manually.)
We’re a small team at the moment, but we’re also committed to providing the following:planned Features:
- The return of our PZ Stories mode that also serves as first ever tutorial actively trying to kill you at every turn. Kate and Baldspot return!
- In-depth and varied NPC encounters driven in a persistent world, powered by a metagame system that turns each play-through into your very own zombie survival movie with emergent narrative gameplay.
- Constant expansion of the countryside and cities around Muldraugh and West Point
- Full wilderness survival systems, animals and hunting for food.
- More items, crafting recipes, weapons and gameplay systems.
- Steam Workshop and Achievements support
For more details on the game follow us on @theindiestone or visit
Project Zomboid is the ultimate in zombie survival. Alone or in MP: you loot, build, craft, fight, farm and fish in a struggle to survive. A hardcore RPG skillset, a vast map, massively customisable sandbox and a cute tutorial raccoon await the unwary. So how will you die? All it takes is a bite..