HumanitZ: A First Look at This Early Access Survival Game
Introduction
HumanitZ is a new game available on Steam Early Access, developed by Yodubzz Studios and published by Freedom Games. It’s a top-down, open-world survival game that, at first glance, seems similar to Project Zomboid. In this initial review, I’ll explore what sets HumanitZ apart from other popular survival games.
Graphics & Presentation
The graphics in HumanitZ resemble other games in the survival genre and are generally decent. However, I was a bit let down by the smaller map size compared to what I expected, akin to Project Zomboid.
Gameplay Variety
I wish the game offered more modes, like the ability to generate random maps, to boost replayability. A menu similar to 7 Days To Die to customize zombie spawns, day/night cycles, and other settings would improve the experience.
Character Customization
Character stat customization is present but lacks diversity. There are a few roles to choose from, and for a greater challenge, I opted for the Unemployed role. You can also change up to seven visual features, including starting clothes.
Tutorial Experience
The tutorial in HumanitZ is thorough, ending with fighting zombie hordes. The mechanics feel like training camp sessions in Call of Duty. Yet, the sound design needs improvement; chopping down a tree strangely sounds like banging on a door. There are no tree-felling animations, which hinders immersion. Figuring out how to scavenge food or use fishing mechanics was often confusing.
Gameplay Mechanics
HumanitZ feels like a mix of The Forest, 7 Days To Die, and a classic RPG. The gunplay and combat are solid, with a touch of realism—you need to load ammo before firing.
Base Building
Building bases in HumanitZ is intuitive and more user-friendly than in Project Zomboid. Despite spending 29 hours in Project Zomboid, I rarely built anything due to its steep learning curve. HumanitZ allows for easier building, but gathering items feels more of a mundane task than an accomplishment. Also, the zombie spawn rate is slow.
Survival Elements
Stealth kills are possible with simple tools like kitchen knives. Every tool and weapon has a durability meter, and crafting repair kits is necessary for extended use, adding realism. However, the crafting process might be too challenging for some players.
Resource Management
Resources on the demo map are limited. You can build spawn location markers, but there’s no way to skip the night, making the game extremely dark without a nearby fireplace.
In summary, HumanitZ has its strengths and areas needing refinement. While the smaller map and limited customization options could improve, the game’s intuitive interface and realistic mechanics are promising features.