State of Decay's new "Year One Survival Edition" is a punishing game. While the idea is certainly based on a massive 'zombocalypse' where your only aim is to survive, it's gets brutal since all this is over an open world where you have to scour for resources, manage all that you have, join other survivors and have them in your group.
When you start off the game, things might seem a bit overwhelming. After all, the game's inventory system and survival features do require a bit of getting used to. Even if you have successfully overcome those hurdles, there are some tips on survival and inventory that you need to keep in mind.
Here are those tips; while they might not make your apocalyptic survival any easy, they will certainly help you survive and level up:
Keep Searching for Supplies
Like any other open-world zombie game in its genre (say, Day-Z), it's almost imperative that you always be on the lookout for resources that will not only help you, but will increase your reputation among other survivors. To help you get along, the game has a dedicated HUD (Heads Up Display) that will play a huge role when you search for supplies. If you have already gone through an area, for example, the HUD will mark the area with a cross, notifying you that you have already gone through it. The HUD will even notify you every time you come across a certain item that you may have found earlier but couldn't make space for in your backpack.
The Best Use of Vehicles
In order to travel around the massive open world of State of Decay, your best bet is to get a vehicle (since a GTA 5-inspired 'skyfall' cheat isn't applicable here). While you will require vehicles to travel fast from one destination to another, there are pros and cons that you need to keep in mind. Sure, vehicles are effective not only for travelling, but also run over the infected, but they also make a lot of noise that can easily draw hordes of undead to your location. And when surviving a zombie apocalypse, that's the last thing you will need on your menu. As far as long distances are concerned, it's better to park your ride somewhere else and head over to the place. For shorter distances though, you can rather walk.
Know Your Map Well
Your experience and survival instincts will go hand-in-hand if you have learnt the map well. As it is, exploration plays a major part in the open world of State of Decay. While the map will give you an overview of the area (or areas) you will be dealing with going forward, there are instances where your map won't mark several points in the area, meaning you need to explore them to unlock stuff. You are at least bound to get a gun for all your exploits, so keep hunting and exploring. Hint: Check out the public restrooms for surprises.
Your Inventory Keeps You Alive
Similar to searching for supplies across the world, it's also important that you have a clear idea about your inventory and the amount of items it will hold for the time being. At the start of the game, you won't be able to carry that many supplies in your backpack. To bring up the in-game inventory, just press the Up button on the d-pad of your controller. Know that like vehicles, your weapons are also susceptible to damages, depending on how often you use it.
So, for example, if you have a rusted lead pipe on you with which you bash open the infected more often than not, there will come a time when it will get damaged. Hence it's advisable that you make a note of each of the items in your inventory, and replace the one that are old and worn out with stuff that are relatively new and will last longer.
Don't Rely Too Much on Safe Zones
If you keep a check on your map frequently, it will give you the location to the next nearest safe zone. Safe zones are basically areas that are somewhat free off the infestation and won't have many zombies around. But there have been times when even safe zones have been compromised by the undead, so it's important that you stay on your heels all the time and not spend more time than required. If you are indeed seeking shelter in a safe zone, it's better to clear the area, since one zombie's intuition leads to an entire horde. And you don't want to face the horde alone.
[Source: Prima Games]
