GamesSurvivalI can’t wait for State of Decay 3 for one very big sentimental reason – it’s the one zombie survival series I play with my dadWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
GamesSurvivalI can’t wait for State of Decay 3 for one very big sentimental reason – it’s the one zombie survival series I play with my dadWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Xbox Game Studios)
Dream team
(Image credit: Xbox Game Studios)
Over the years, my dad and I have played lots of games together and whenever we can manage to make some time, Deep Rock Galactic is our most recent co-op adventure of choice. But State of the Decay 2 is the one I think back on the most fondly. The way it encouraged our camaraderie and brought us together to take on foes we’ve become so acquainted with in other types of media has always stayed with me.
The Dark Place(Image credit: Remedy)Alan Wake 2 took me out of my comfort zone and provided catharsis and reassurance in the most unexpected way
The Dark Place
(Image credit: Remedy)Alan Wake 2 took me out of my comfort zone and provided catharsis and reassurance in the most unexpected way
(Image credit: Remedy)
Alan Wake 2 took me out of my comfort zone and provided catharsis and reassurance in the most unexpected way
What I enjoy most about Undead Labs' open-world survival game is the way it allows you to switch between the survivors you recruit to build up your community. The more you play as a particular person, the more adept they’ll become in their areas of expertise, and the more skilled they’ll be overall as you scavenge and fight. During one of our play sessions, my dad and I had been so successful as the pair of survivors we were playing, we’d become very skilled individuals and gotten our hands on some excellent loot. In fact, I’d even found myself becoming attached to the characters we were playing, because together, we’d been through so much in the world already.
That’s entertainment
(Image credit: Xbox Game Studios)
But of course, the more you play as one character, the more chances you take, and every time you step away from your safe haven, you’re only one bad zombie bite or horde attack away from kicking the bucket. Death is a big part of State of Decay 2, and it can be absolutely devastating to lose a survivor you’ve put so much time into. I don’t think I’ll ever get over the death of my initial survivor who was learning the ropes right alongside me with the help of dad, but it’s also what makes the series so rewarding to play; you really feel like you earn every day you make it through unscathed.Naturally, when State of Decay 3 was first officially revealed back in 2020, the very first thing I did was text my dad. “We have to play this together when it comes out!”, I declared, practically buzzing about the prospect of trying to survive another zombie apocalypse with dad at my side… something I never thought I’d feel. Fast forward to 2024 and we’re still waiting to do just that, but our excitement hasn’t died down.Along with the news that the team behind it is bigger than ever, thelatest look at the third entry this past summerappeared to really tap into the individuality of the survivors, which only makes me more hopeful about what’s to come.
Whatever shape State of Decay 3 ends up taking, it matters more that it hopefully signals some more quality time with my dad, taking on the undead and bonding over survival strategies. Nothing brings us together quite like a zombie apocalypse, after all.
See our pick of thebest survival games.
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CATEGORIESPC GamingXbox OneXbox Series XPlatformsXbox
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PRODUCTSState of Decay 2State of Decay 3
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1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
1
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2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
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Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths”
1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”
1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”
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2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”
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3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”
3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”
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Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”
4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”
4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”
4
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5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”
5
Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”
1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”
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1
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2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”
2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”
2
Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”
3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”
3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”
3
Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”
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4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”
4
Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”
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5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”
5
Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”