State of Decay

Microsoft has delivered yet another epic exclusive for Xbox One and PC gamers. State of Decay is an innovated zombie saga that infuses intellectual survival game-play and dynamic mechanics to enhance the horrifying end of the world experience. Players will explore the ideals that aren't normally seen in many zombie games and focuses more on the survival aspects rather than the combat and action.

Set within the southern areas of the U.S, zombies have engulfed the land while humanity is pushed to the brink of extinction. An interesting twist is that you’ll start off with a particular character, an average Joe of sorts, but after the inductions you are able to switch between a large host of characters and progress through the game. You’re never stuck with just one male or female character but anyone you like to use for your scavenging needs. This helps to overcome the obstacle of tiredness and fatigue after vast explorations and game progression. A struggle that becomes more threatening than any zombie.

Another major concept this mechanic introduces is the permanent death feature. Meaning if the survivor you've been controlling dies, then they’re gone forever with no respawns or restarting over with that character. An incredibly harsh factor that will certainly get under the skin of many players who build up a singular character but this increases the level of compassion you’ll have for your survivors. This is a fantastic if not a devastating way to increase the tension throughout the game making a true survival experience.

Another important feature of gameplay in State of Decay will have players building their own camps for safe shelter for their own safety and that of fellow survivors. Players will then need to explore surrounding areas looking for supplies to improve their chances of survival and also to help upgrade their camps and provide better support to the community. Resource management becomes a major factor in trust levels between survivors and managing medication, food, ammo allows survivors to bond together. At times there will be problems and it’s everyone’s job to help resolved these issues.

This type of game-play has been rarely seen or never been developed to such as high level, which makes State of Decay one of the most enriching and immersive survival games to date. The level of interaction brings hours of game-play that benefits from more nurturing players and those who enjoy working hard in order to ensure survival from the enemy NPCs. I only have a fault with the constant missions that pop up, having to make players deal with angry or fearful NPCs that might start a crisis within the safe haven. This always narrows down to talk to person, head to a location in the middle of nowhere, kill zombies and tell them they’re a jerk and should lighten up. There were not many variations of missions that link up to resolving troubles within the camp. Only having one or two moments where you had to choose to kill infected members of the community to help benefit the community. Brilliant but sadly infrequent moments compared to the staler encounters with angry or scared survivors at breaking point.

There is a simple narrative with many side quests to take part in. An interesting feature is how many side quests are timed and once they've expired, that’s it. You have to continue the game on without having the chance to complete the quest or reap the rewards it held. It’s a tough choice on the player as you won’t have the time to do everything and game knows it. Another means of pushing players to the extreme and creating tough choices to follow. Whether you go on and risk your character or supplies for the rewards that would in the long run help everyone. Or to stay and play it safe, knowing another chance like this won’t come again.

State of Decay looks pretty good on the Xbox one console from its move over from the 360, however there are some minor frame rate issues and a few graphical glitches and bugs that often pop up. Still there are no major problems that causes disruption to the game’s flow.

State of Decay is a brutal experience that’s both rewarding and enriching to players who enjoy survival style gameplay. This is well worth the price tag as players get all the content from the previous release plus the additional game modes Lifeline and Breakdown meaning there will be hours upon hours of gameplay. I wished there was multiplayer mode to make the experience even better. But still this is a great game.