I think we have all played our fair share of zombie games by this point. And while I enjoy bolstering defenses in We Are Billions and mowing down hordes in Back 4 Blood as much as the next person, the archetypes of zombie experiences are relatively set in stone. 

Something developer The Indie Stone has been working to disrupt for the better part of a decade-plus, with Project Zomboid. 

Simply put, Project Zomboid is the most hardcore zombie game I have ever played, and I don’t call it such lightly. Combining the familiar backdrop of a zombie apocalypse with a hyper-detail-oriented immersive sim takes character management to new number-crunching heights. 

Sure, you’ll be bashing zombies’ brains to prolong your character’s run, but have you ever had to worry about cutting your hand on a broken window sill? How about getting too sweaty from running? Are you really going to risk eating spoiled food? 

Do you want food poisoning? Because that’s how you get the shits, and everyone knows fighting zombies is more difficult with poop-filled pants.  

In the course of my conversation with Neil this week for Safe Room, we highlight Project Zomboid‘s mechanics that separate the game from its undead competition, as well as ridiculous and crushing anecdotes of failed character runs. 

Honestly, I’m still not over my character bleeding out from a windowsill cut while in the midst of crafting a bandage. Project Zomboid is memorable like that and crafts its unique slice of undead entertainment amongst the hordes of zombie titles out there.

Safe Room is a weekly horror video game discussion podcast, premiering on all major platforms every Monday. Feel free to browse our LinkTree for a complete list of services here.

Feel free to follow the show and hosts on Twitter:

Safe Room – @SafeRoomPod

Neil – @Nezzko

Jay – @NotFunnyJ