Survival is taken to a whole new level this time around…
Some key points that this game offers:
- Massive New Open World Environment
- New and Improved Combat
- New Gameplay Mechanics
- New Weapons and Gear
- New Game + Mode
Gameplay & Controls:
The game has some bugs for sure and in some cases, they really dampened the fun that State of Decay 2 offered. However, with all the bugs that the game currently has plaguing it, there is still tons of fun to be had.
The game handles pretty well, and smooth. Character control is easy and fluid, whether you are sneaking up on a Zombie or running and gunning at them. The game handles the situation pretty well. Melee mechanics is rather impressive especially with the new spectacular finisher moves we have at our disposal.
Vehicle control is decent and useable, with a variation in control, handling, and speed depending on what type of vehicle you make use of.
New Survivors and a brand new region to call home. With State of Decay, things were really improved upon. Character levelling and specialization received a few new additions to make use of. Base management also received some additions; such as electricity and running water. Having these resources opens up entirely new features and options for your base. Another big change is the outpost. Instead of being defensible buildings, Outposts now offer permanent benefits such as the means to store and access your base inventory. Swap out characters and then unique bonuses depending on the type of Outpost you took. You can take Outposts that offer running water, extra beds, or a number of other unique features.
This truly enhances the survival management experience. Your base buildings also have slots where mods can be installed that offer additional benefits or abilities. This time around they really added more to the options and more reasons to build and manage your base. There are so many new features along with improved ones that base management is actually a fun task to get into this time around.
This time you can also elect a Leader for your community and based on the leader you chose; you will unlock unique buildings and features for your community.
Graphics:
New and most definitely improved. There is better lighting and shadow rendering this time around. Whether you are out and about during the day or night, the game does remarkably well to offer you a rather realistic explorative experience.
The shadows and darkness that night time exploration offers is truly a beautiful sight in all its eerie glory. The shadows that are cast when the moon is full, makes for one incredible sight. Daytime slaying has its own beautiful features such as those incredible sunsets and sunrises… there is just something about a sunset and sunrise from a game that makes it so much more memorable, especially when you catch those rays and lighting at the right angle… It’s pure visual bliss.
The entirety of the game has improved visuals and textures. Whether you are ransacking a home or out and about in the city streets. There is tons of beauty to be seen. Character models received just as much attention. We have a wide variety of survivors to run into or against this time. Each with their own personality and appearance.
Zombie models also received quite the detail upgrade in both more realistic versions of Zombies along with gory improvements…
Sounds:
Simply superb… Quietly making your way back to base after sunset and you just hear that eerie shriek of the feral that sounds like it’s on top of you… Or those moans and groans that sounds like it’s coming from all over… It’s fantastic and adds so much to the horror experience that the game sets.
The soundtrack enhances every aspect of the game, whether you’re knee deep in zombie guts fighting for your life or cruising down the highway. There is great music for every aspect of the game, it is further enhanced by great in game sounds that brings all the small things to life.
Voice over artists did a pretty amazing job bringing their characters to life with some quality scripts as well.
Replayability:
State of Decay 2 is all about replayability. You can play co-op with up to four other players to take on the Zombie Hordes. This time around we also have a New game+ mode that allows us to start over again in one of the three regions we have for the game.
You read that right, this time there isn’t just one area, we have three large maps that we can set up in and play to our heart’s content.
MGR Gaming’s Conclusions:
Spoilers Ahead:
Bugs and issues aside, State of Decay 2 is a very remarkable and fun game. There are tons of new things to do and run into. The new Plague Zombie really adds to the challenge and perspective of surviving. The additional activities and events that pop up during the course of the game really enhance the games longevity which I’m all for.
The combat is truly great this time around, whether you prefer up close and personal, or a ranged approach with firearms. The developers took great care here to offer us a brilliant experience. The new and improved base mechanics is another win for sure. The same goes for the outposts. It really puts things into a new survivability perspective which fits the game perfectly, especially if you are playing on a higher difficulty.
The only thing I’d like to see expanded upon here is a more in depth levelling experience that offers us more options in terms of levelling and improving our characters. Another neat feature would be to set up more than one community that features and specializes in specific actions to help the birth of commerce so that trades between communities can take place.
The game as it is is great and tons of fun, but Undead Labs should kick it up several notches and turn State of decay from a fun Zombie Survival experience to Legendary Zombie Survival experience that ups the stakes and dangers…
If you are a Zombie gamer, then this one is for you for sure!
The Official trailer for State of Decay 2.
By: MGRza
Date: 29 May 2018
Additional Info:
Platforms: PC: Xbox One
Genre: Action: Atmospheric: Base Building: Co-op: Gore: Great Soundtrack: Horror: Multiplayer: Online Co-Op: Open World: Perma Death: Post-apocalyptic: Replay Value: RPG: Sandbox: Simulation: Survival: Third Person: Violent: Zombies
Censor Rating: Blood & gore: Drug Reference: Intense Violence: Strong Language
Age Rating: 17+
Developer: Undead Labs
Publisher: Xbox Game Studios
Release Date: 22 May 2018
MGR Gaming Steam Curator:
https://store.steampowered.com/curator/32364038/
