It’s time for another Retro Ad Replay article! This is the series where we head backwards in time to reminisce and celebrate the anniversary of some of the most significant moments in gaming. If you find yourself wanting more content like this, be sure to visit Mandatory.com.
In this June 5 edition of Retro Ad Replay, we’re heading back seven years to when State of Decay first launched on Xbox 360. June 5, 2013 was the day that players were first able to take on the zombie horde, while attempting to rebuild some semblance of society by bonding with other survivors.
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The original GameRevolution State of Decay review awarded the game a 3.5, praising the “vast open world to explore,” how “leveling keeps things interesting,” “varied environments,” and how “perma-death raises the stakes.”
Here’s a snippet from the GR review:
I didn’t find the AI-controlled characters, be it your fellow party members or other random survivors, to be engaging or all that believable. When I think zombies, I think of terrible circumstances that challenge the very root of one’s humanity, and sadly, I didn’t find that here. The constant threat that comes from perma-death wasn’t enough to keep me emotionally invested in the game’s characters. As such, I think this game could benefit from a co-operative option. Seriously, Undead Labs, get on that!
If you enjoy exploring post-apocalyptic open worlds, I suggest you at the very least give the demo of STATE OF DECAY a shot. There’s plenty of depth for those who appreciate the role-playing genre, and the constant threat of death and limited resources will have adrenaline junkies on the edge of their seats. It may not be my cup of tea, but I certainly can see why others would love to take the plunge into this zombie-infested wasteland.
You can find the State of Decay “Year-One Survival Edition” launch trailer embedded below: