Since starting this site, I’ve covered State of Decay 2 extensively. It’s easily the most popular topic on the website. Folks love to check out the top bases on Providence Ridge, for example, and want to know how best to topple Lethal Zone with ease. But after all these years, what is it that keeps up playing State of Decay 2 in 2023?
State of Decay 2 is Unique
For some, the zombie apocalypse genre of video games is played out. They’re tired of seeing the undead amass on screens. But for many, we’re itching for more.
Can you think of any other game in the genre that allows you to form a community of survivors, upgrade a base, and loot the surrounding landscape for usable items and gear? I can’t.
When it comes to zombies, we often wind up with horde shooters and parkour fests, neither of which are bad or boring, but sometimes you want to experience the apocalypse from the perspective of an everyday survivor.
State of Decay 2 allows just that.
State of Decay 2 is Addicting
Take a moment to think about your favorite gameplay loop. More often than not, it involves progression and loot, right?
State of Decay 2 allows us to take an average survivor, who isn’t exceptional at any one skill, and then mold them through experience and combat encounters to become the ultimate survivor. We can see tangible results from the character progression in the form of snap aiming, increased stamina, better stealth movement, and less wasted gas while driving.
Furthermore, the overall gameplay loop of State of Decay 2 involves clearing the surrounding area of zombies, including Plague Hearts and special infected, and then looting abandoned structures for usable supplies.
What are you going to find inside that cabinet? Your first firearm? A pipe bomb? You never genuinely know what loot will spawn, but most of it has some use.
It’s that need to search one more container, to finally find a firearm, or upgrade your melee weapon. A compulsion that keeps so many of us playing State of Decay 2 in 2023!
State of Decay as a Franchise Shows Promise
With the first game, which was only released on the Xbox 360 under its indie program, we saw firsthand what studio Undead Labs could provide with the setting. Then, in the sequel, the gameplay was enhanced overall. Sadly, though, the story was sacrificed in favor of immersive storytelling by the player. It worked, though.
Now, with the upcoming State of Decay 3, and the Steam release of State of Decay 2: Juggernaut Edition, more folks are paying attention to the series than ever before.
With the trailer for State of Decay 3, which was nothing more than a teaser, we saw the inclusion of zombie animals, weather, and expansive wilderness.
The future of the series appears bright!
What are you most looking forward to in State of Decay 3?