Everything You Need to Know About State of Decay 2

It’s the Sequel to a Cult Hit

Everything You Need to Know About State of Decay 2

State of Decay 2 is the sequel to the 2013 zombie-survival game State of Decay, as you may have guessed. Back when it launched, the first game was praised for its unique blend of simulation and survival mechanics, being both tough as nails and wonderfully rewarding. The series allows players to recruit survivors across a large rural map and weaves in elements of permadeath. The fact that every character can die definitely added a tension to the experience, turning simple loot runs into careful, tactical excursions. Being developer Undead Labs’ first game, the title sold surprisingly well, hitting two million units in its first year, with limited advertising.

State of Decay 2 brings back several of the game’s core mechanics, including looting, backpacks, and an RPG levelling system. It’s clear that things are somewhat different this time around though, seeing the addition of a new engine and co-op system.

The Game Is Closer (And Cheaper) Than You Might Expect

Everything You Need to Know About State of Decay 2

Microsoft recently announced that State of Decay 2 would be releasing on May 22. Not only that, but the game would be offered at the low price of $29.99 for the standard version, and $49.99 for the Ultimate Edition. What’s even more interesting is that the game will be included as part of Microsoft’s Xbox Game Pass on day one, meaning subscribers can get the full game for free.

The Ultimate Edition will include “4 days early access beginning May 18, along with two add-on packs: ‘Independence Pack’ and ‘Daybreak Pack’ (available at a later release date) on both Xbox One and Windows 10 PC. The Ultimate Edition will also include a download token for a bonus copy of the console version State of Decay: Year-One Survival Edition.”

State of Decay 2 Features 4-Player Co-Op

Everything You Need to Know About State of Decay 2

What’s more fun than killing zombies? Why, doing it with your friends of course! One of the main features frequently requested by the State of Decay community is cooperative play. The game seems perfect for it, given that you can choose to go on loot runs with a sidekick in tow. The way it works is that you can invite friends to join your world, where they will help you build out your community.

You can grapple zombies for your pals to attack and also drive along in the same vehicle, smashing enemies with the car doors. There’s an extensive selection of taunts, emotes and gestures to converse with, making State of Decay 2 a much more social game than its predecessor. The ability to swap loot and share the load of heavier objects will definitely add a new element of strategy to the game, one which we can’t wait to try out.

A Mysterious Disease Called ‘Blood Plague’ Makes the Game Even More Dangerous

Everything You Need to Know About State of Decay 2

On top of the fact that there are zombies everywhere, there’s also a new sickness to contend with in State of Decay 2. Blood Plague can inflict any of your characters, growing worse and worse until it eventually kills them. The level of infection is indicated via a new bar situated above the health and stamina and indicates just how close you are to kicking the bucket. There’s only one way to cure the disease and that is to collect plague samples from new elements called plague hearts.

Plague hearts are masses of diseased flesh guarded by huge crowds of zeds. Clearing them out will award the precious samples as well as make the surrounding areas safer. It’s not going to be a walk in the park though, as each plague heart is situated in a heavily infested area.

Night Time Is Crazy Dangerous

Everything You Need to Know About State of Decay 2

Zombies get restless at night, we know this. Maybe it’s the lack of humans around to feast on or maybe just that they like the way the sun feels on their rotting flesh. Regardless, State of Decay 2 is a much scarier place when the sun goes down. This is in part due to a decision by the developers to make it genuinely dark at night. You can barely see 10 feet in front of you at times, making driving and looting much more treacherous.

Your flashlight is your only real respite, illuminating any re-animated corpses which might be shuffling towards you. The day-night cycle is also longer this time around, meaning you’ll be at the mercy of the undead for a while. This dynamic definitely adds a layer of realism to the game, further rounding out the survival vibe.