HumanityZ is a game I tested in Early access. However, I waited until its 1.0 release on Feb 26 to give it another go. I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised. With Project Zomboid elements and a distinct DayZ feeling, despite the isometric viewpoint, it has plenty of elements to look forward to. Sadly, it isn’t without its problems, and you may experience some server issues when trying to play with others. I spent most of my time alone, so this wasn’t an issue I experienced.
This zombie survival game was developed by Yodubzz Studios and published by Indie.io. It is a single-player and cooperative PvE and PvP title with character customisation, jobs, a skill tree, base building, vehicles to drive, and much more. Therefore, there is plenty to get your teeth into. Additionally, the full release includes the Island. This endgame segment demands that users be prepared for a hellish time. Consequently, you must have all the gear and a comprehensive understanding of core mechanics if you wish to survive.
HumanityZ tells a typical zombie tale.
Taking a romp across an apocalyptic landscape is a familiar trope for the survival genre. Therefore, HumanityZ tells a typical zombie tale. The hero or heroes must explore what is left of their surroundings as they search for food, weapons, and other resources. This leads to danger and plenty of zombie encounters. Therefore, you must balance risk vs reward as you build your base, expand your search area, and ultimately survive for as long as possible.
A survival game wouldn’t be a survival game if there weren’t a large array of mechanics to understand. Hunger, thirst, exposure to elements, and harsh weather fronts are just some of the things you must keep an eye on. This isn’t so bad if you adjust the settings to reduce the difficulty. However, if you ramp things up, it can be a brutal and chastising experience that’ll kick your arse repeatedly.
Risk your life or stay at home and go fishing.
The isometric world is vast and a joy to explore. Yet, the risk of dying and losing it all is always on your mind. The developer has done a fantastic job of mixing sparse and open locations with dense and often impossibly dangerous cities. The wilderness is untamed, exciting, and full of natural resources. Alternatively, each town is loaded with interesting items that are essential to upgrade your base. Therefore, you must plan each trip to make the most of every expedition.
Vehicles make traversing the world a joy, but they make your journey more noticeable to the zombie horde. Additionally, maintaining a car in an apocalyptic world isn’t as easy as you’d expect. Therefore, you must be careful before you jump behind the wheel of your newly stolen vehicle.
Unlocking a profession is a must if you want to specialise in a specific field. You are not set to one job, as the skills tab lets you select more as you progress. These handy jobs let you expand your abilities and focus on a certain task. Whether you train to be a boxer, mechanic, salesman, thief, outdoorsman, or so forth, they give you permanent buffs to improve trading, fighting, repairs, and so forth. I loved this mechanic as it meant that every player could offer something new to the group. Furthermore, it offered some role-play elements if that is your thing.
HumanityZ looks great!
If you love isometric games and a sinister and often oppressive world, then HumanityZ will appeal to you. The beautifully designed game has come a long way since its Early Access days, and I appreciate the level design, the large and open world, and the inclusion of the endgame area. Moreover, each zombie looks hideous and fascinating in equal measure. Therefore, it is one of the better-looking indie zombie games I’ve played.
The audio has a Deja vu edge that works on many levels. Minor-toned music, cruel sound effects, and brilliant ambient noises help to create an uncomfortable and nervy atmosphere. This is particularly good when you encounter a host of zombies and have to run for your life. The dramatic style fills you with dread while making things horribly dynamic.
Excellent controls.
Relearning the controls took some effort. Thankfully, a decent tutorial focuses your mind and explains the fundamentals perfectly. If you want a game that you can jump into and play immediately, then HumanityZ won’t be for you. You will need to invest a little time to maximise your potential and get the best out of each core mechanic.
Due to its sandbox style, massive open world, PvP and PvE options, adjustable controls, and cooperative mindset, this has plenty of replay value. Moreover, I can see the developer adding new areas with ease. This will expand the base game without ruining your progress. Subsequently, longevity is a key focus for this title.
HumanityZ is a great zombie game.
The zombie genre has been done to death. It is saturated, and I think plenty of people have had their fill. However, HumanityZ does enough to stand out from the brain munching crowd. It is interesting, challenging, and fun. Furthermore, it looks great, and the developer has got the balance just right. Accordingly, I think it is great, and I recommend buying it here! Can you explore the world and survive? Pick your profession, team up with some friends, and survive another end-of-the-world experience.
