The zombie video game realm has consistently attracted players, but recently, it seems to be experiencing a renaissance with standout titles like Dead Island 2, Dying Light 2, The Last of Us, and Resident Evil pushing the boundaries of what’s expected from the genre. For any new game to carve out its niche in this increasingly crowded field, particularly an indie entry without the massive backing of a AAA title, it must offer something truly unique. Fortunately, Zeverland seems ready to impress with some clever innovations.
Brought to life by the fledgling indie studio Quantum Quirks, Zeverland is an enticing survival game preparing to stake its claim among other zombie epics next year. Alongside its launch announcement, Zeverland treated enthusiasts to a six-minute gameplay trailer, shedding light on some of its standout features.
What Players Should Expect From Zeverland
Zeverland Melds Dead Rising’s Crafting with DayZ’s Multiplayer
Dead Rising has long been celebrated for its pioneering crafting system in gaming. A major highlight of the franchise, this feature lets players mix and match everyday items to concoct makeshift weapons, often with a humorous twist—think homemade lightsabers or the iconic, heavily-armed "Freedom Bear" plushie.
Drawing inspiration from Dead Rising’s inventive crafting mechanics, Zeverland offers a similar blend of creativity. The game’s debut trailer featured whimsical creations like a rubber chicken on a stick, a jerry-rigged spear, and a tranquilizer arrow fashioned from a pen and leftover chloroform. Yet, this inventive crafting is merely one aspect of Zeverland’s gameplay.
Promising a massive online experience, Zeverland invites players into a post-apocalyptic realm to join forces with friends or even complete strangers. Whether banding together with others to carve out a refuge amidst the chaos or choosing the life of a lone wanderer surviving day-by-day in the wild, players have the freedom to chart their own course.
Zeverland Boasts Impressive Vehicle Customization
Set in an expansive 24 square kilometer open world, Zeverland ensures players can traverse large distances efficiently. The game introduces a surprisingly deep vehicle customization feature, unveiled in its latest trailer. Players can personalize their rides with unique paint jobs, arm them with weapons, and add defensive measures. For those seeking more, larger vehicles can be furnished with structural add-ons and planters, essentially transforming them into mobile strongholds.
Zeverland’s Unique PvP Element
Toward the conclusion of its announcement trailer, Zeverland delivered a surprising twist: in this game, death isn’t the final step. If a player falls victim to a zombie bite, they continue the game as one of the undead. While traditional activities like wielding weapons or driving are off-limits for zombies, playing as one offers a fresh take on gameplay.
Zombie players need to contend with a hunger meter, satiated by attacking human players or consuming other zombies. The longer they survive in this form, the more special abilities they acquire, eventually even gaining control over a zombie horde.
With these intriguing features, Zeverland is shaping up to be a captivating addition to the zombie video game genre, promising both innovation and excitement.