State of Decay 3 Preview: Years Of Lessons In Zombie Slaying Stalwart

, it's clear that years of player feedback played a majorrole in the final product. The gaming public's persistent fascination with zombies and the apocalypse more generally means that we're seemingly always going to have a glut of new releases tied to the theme. As such, it can be difficult for games to stand out when there's so much competition, and bringing something new to the party is usually the best bet for success.

A Solid Foundation

Undead Labs

State of Decay 3 is an upcoming survival horror game developed by Undead Labs, that was originally announced all the way back in the doldrums of 2020 as part of the

It's with all of that cumulative knowledge that State of Decay 3 enters the fray, and from the outset of playing the game, it's so clear that a similar launch is very unlikely indeed.

Push Back The Plague

Undead Labs

These function as one of the main gameplay mechanics for you and your group. If you clear and claim sites attached to the Plague Nest, you will weaken the resistance you face when you go to destroy the heart at the center of the nest. Conversely, you could go straight for the Plague Nest to simultaneously make all the connected sites much easier to claim, though the amount of undead there will be considerable.

It's a fascinating strategic element and one that gives players the freedom to approach the game as they wish, either with incremental increases to their survival standards or going for it all in a blaze of glory.

At the same time, fighting your way through the world has improved a lot. The mixture of melee and ranged combat returns, but switching between weapons feels smoother, and aiming feels like it has been tightened up to really account for the erratic movements of the zombies.

The game also allows you to switch between individuals at will, meaning that if you are planning on setting out to claim a resource zone or new settlement, there are better characters to pick. Some might have rifle or melee specialties, or bonuses that increase their durability and health, making them prime targets for forays out into the wild. Others are much more suited to home life, and you could quickly find yourself in trouble if you don't play as someone with the right skills.

Make Yourself At Home

Undead Labs

The cool thing is that you can really engage the tactical side of your brain, and there are myriad ways to improve efficiency and keep your population safer. Many of your citizens will come with specific skills that allow you to specialize the settlements they live in, and increase production of resources.

Some are expert electricians, making upkeep and generation much simpler, while others might have a green thumb and can ensure nobody in your settlements goes hungry. Ensuring that everyone is in the right place and doing the right thing, while also being proactive in going out to secure new land and resources, is the order of the day, all while spending plenty of time

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