Just Survive
- January 15, 2015
- Daybreak Game Company
- 18h median play time
Just Survive is a post-apocalyptic game where players must scavenge for supplies, craft items, and build strongholds to protect themselves from both living and undead dangers. Staying quiet and alert is crucial to avoid attracting zombies, and gathering raw materials is necessary for crafting various tools and weapons. Building strongholds in various locations helps secure a foothold in the struggle against the undead.
Reviews
- gameplay1,532 mentions
- 29 % positive mentions
- 58 % neutral mentions
- 12 % negative mentions
The gameplay of H1Z1 has received mixed reviews, with players praising its fun mechanics, crafting systems, and engaging multiplayer interactions, particularly in PvP scenarios. However, many have criticized the game for its numerous bugs, unbalanced mechanics, and the prevalence of pay-to-win elements, which detract from the overall experience. While some players find the gameplay enjoyable and immersive, others express frustration over technical issues and a lack of meaningful content, leading to a repetitive experience.
“The gameplay was fun, looting was rewarding, and interacting with people was exciting.”
“I liked the mechanics from this game and haven't found anything close that I enjoyed quite as much.”
“Just survive was an amazing game with many fun interactions in-game with other players, had good gun mechanics that led to plays, and base building and raiding to top it off.”
“Whether it's a pack of hungry zombies, other players with a penchant for looting, or just the game's buggy mechanics, you will die.”
“They tried to put the old Z1 map back in, which could have been a great way to revive the game, but they messed it up with bad water canyon mechanics and forced us to use them, which nobody liked.”
“The mechanics are all screwed up on Just Survive and there are no fixes for it at all before the next update.”
- stability1,266 mentions
- 3 % positive mentions
- 1 % neutral mentions
- 97 % negative mentions
The stability of the game has been widely criticized, with players reporting numerous bugs, glitches, and crashes that significantly impact gameplay. Many reviews highlight persistent issues such as character freezing, inventory problems, and erratic AI behavior, which detract from the overall experience. While some players acknowledge that these issues are typical for early access titles, the frequency and severity of the problems have led to frustration and disappointment among the community.
“10/10 no glitches, bugs, exploits, cheaters, nothing.”
“The game runs great on a range of systems, does not have the lag or rubberbanding that most other games encounter, and the environment hits close to home with its midwestern feel.”
“Really good game, no glitches, no bugs, overall, a big thumbs up!”
“End result = buggy unplayable game.”
“The game is buggy as hell still, and I'm speaking of bugs that have been here since release.”
“This game has lost its way; it used to be a fun game to play with friends, but now it's just a buggy mess.”
- graphics1,094 mentions
- 35 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 15 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with some players praising the visuals as decent or even impressive for an early access title, while others criticize them as outdated and subpar compared to competitors like DayZ. Many users note issues with optimization, leading to performance problems even on high-end systems, and highlight graphical glitches that detract from the overall experience. Overall, while some appreciate the aesthetic and potential for improvement, a significant number express disappointment in the current graphical quality.
“Graphics and animations were great as well, which for me is most important. If I don't feel comfortable with how the game looks and feels, I can't play it no matter the content, but this game had both a good feel to it and great content.”
“Amazing graphics, game dynamics, and play is smooth. It is the best survival MMO out there right now.”
“The graphics are beautiful, especially for an early access game like this. The ambiance is astounding, and the gameplay itself is really awesome.”
“The graphics are trash even on ultra, the zombies are the most poorly scripted piles of dog shit I've ever seen and they can still run through walls and doors.”
“I have played this game in its various guises right from the very beginning, graphically it used to look worse but ran a hell of a lot better, the zombies/wildlife in this game are currently ridiculously bad and used to be far better, it's like watching them on timefreeze CCTV, they move at 1 frame per second (if that) and they are so disconnected from the game it is embarrassing.”
“The graphics are incredibly subpar, the game has been running rampant with stupidity for a while.”
- monetization501 mentions
- 2 % positive mentions
- 46 % neutral mentions
- 52 % negative mentions
The monetization model of the game has been widely criticized as a blatant cash grab, with many users expressing frustration over the introduction of microtransactions in an early access title that was initially promised to be free-to-play. Players feel that the developers prioritize profit over game quality, focusing on cosmetic items and in-game purchases rather than addressing bugs and gameplay issues. The split of the game into two paid versions, each with additional microtransactions, has further fueled accusations of exploitation and dishonesty towards the player base.
“This feels more like an attempt at a money grab through in-game purchases than a company legitimately trying to develop a game.”
“The fact that they introduced microtransactions before the full game is even out shows how little actually improving the game means to them.”
“I enjoyed the game when I first got it, knowing it was early access - but after a year with rubbish content updates and very little in the way of expanding gameplay, all they have done is focus on the battle royale, DLC, microtransactions cash cows.”
“This game is a cash grab, buggy, hacker-infested unfinished piece of shit that should not be recommended to anyone.”
“The developers claimed that they would not be including microtransactions in fear that this would turn into a pay-to-win game and they did so anyway.”
“They broke the game in half, filled it with microtransactions, then burned the whole goddamn thing to the ground, and drunkenly rebuilt it so far beyond recognition that I actually thought the game was removed from steam when I looked for it in my library.”
- optimization453 mentions
- 26 % positive mentions
- 42 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game has received overwhelmingly negative feedback from users, with many describing it as "horribly optimized" and "buggy," leading to significant performance issues, especially in urban areas. Players report experiencing low frame rates, unreliable hit registration, and frequent crashes, even on high-end systems. While some users note improvements in specific updates, the general consensus is that the game requires substantial optimization work to enhance overall performance and stability.
“The game runs smoothly even on ultra settings for me and I'm running a GTX 680 which is no longer considered high end by any means.”
“H1Z1 is by far one of my favorite games and better than that other game, and also it actually has viewable zombies and playable frames with my Intel Pentium G3258. I'm getting roughly 60-70 fps on high at 1920x1080p, very impressed with optimization, keep up the work!”
“Game is great and well optimized for an alpha game.”
“The game is poorly optimized, runs slow in cities and I own a pretty good computer.”
“This game is horribly optimized and is pretty much full of hackers.”
“The optimization is so bad that the game cannot handle loading a couple of shacks without crashing your computer, no matter what your specs are, and that's being modest.”
- story359 mentions
- 9 % positive mentions
- 85 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The game's story is largely criticized for its lack of depth and meaningful narrative, with many players noting that it primarily revolves around survival mechanics rather than a cohesive plot. While some players appreciate the emergent stories created through gameplay interactions, the absence of structured quests, NPCs, and a compelling backstory leaves the experience feeling empty and repetitive. Overall, the consensus is that the game would benefit significantly from a more developed storyline and engaging missions to enhance player immersion.
“This game has a lot of people who put their passion into it to make it unique, and it allows you to show other people your story on how you are surviving this terror of the zombie apocalypse.”
“The story is simple... you are in a zombie-infested world and you need to survive.”
“I do think this game can evolve to a better game; it is really good now, but it's got room to be better. There needs to be a story or some quests, so you can form a bond with your character and also just add lore to the game.”
“There is no story of any kind.”
“Without any story or meaningful quests, the only thing there is to do is explore the map, make a bigger base, make stuff...and that's it.”
“The game is empty and boring without any real mission or objective.”
- humor352 mentions
- 98 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is frequently highlighted as a major draw, with players enjoying the absurdity of glitches, unexpected player interactions, and the chaotic nature of gameplay. Many reviews emphasize that playing with friends enhances the comedic experience, leading to memorable and hilarious moments, such as encounters with other players or amusing in-game mishaps. However, some players also note that the humor can be overshadowed by frustration due to bugs and the game's overall state, making it a mixed experience depending on the context of play.
“But you'll also laugh, because it's hilarious to watch your character run in circles, trying to fend off a horde of the undead.”
“Funny part is, the ship they built was worse than the original ship they talked about building in the first place, and thus, damn dirty pirates came and sunk the ship by being able to weasel their way into the bowels of the ship because of incompetent crew members.”
“I cannot deny the countless hours spent laughing hysterically with friends during battle royale and during survival mode.”
“I like the game, but all this zombie fighting is so not funny, and the grinding gets boring after a while.”
“Pretty good game, but it's not funny when you are playing solo and you will get bored of it. Playing with friends is funny though.”
“When my friend got it, he loaded it up and it said 'g99 error.' Immediately I laughed and said, 'you unlucky bastard.' Well, half of this review is going to be about karma and why game glitches and bugs are not funny.”
- grinding177 mentions
- 2 % positive mentions
- 2 % neutral mentions
- 97 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game is frequently described as tedious and time-consuming, requiring players to invest significant hours into farming resources for base building and crafting. While some players find the grind rewarding and enjoyable, many express frustration over the repetitive nature of resource gathering and the risk of losing hard-earned progress to hackers or other players. Overall, the game appeals to those who appreciate survival challenges but may deter players seeking a more streamlined experience.
“If the grind for loot wasn't tedious enough, you are always hungry. Your character is like 'the blob' from those 80's horror movies; you can't stop eating blackberries that give you 2% food and 2% hydration. If you leave it too long and can't find a berry patch, you find yourself picking the ones you can and eating those, but not having sufficient energy to move on to a better patch. You are essentially stuck there until you are beaten to death by some German dude with a master race superiority complex.”
“I hope they continue to update regularly and make sure the game remains fun and not tedious. Early in the game, you just went around picking blackberries... hundreds of blackberries just to survive.”
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“The game is a lot of tedious work and running and searching to gather items and resources.”
“You spend weeks farming and building your base, only to lose everything in a few moments.”
- music112 mentions
- 18 % positive mentions
- 73 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some players appreciating the atmospheric and eerie soundscapes that enhance the survival horror experience, while others criticize the quality and repetitiveness of the tracks. Many users note that the dynamic music effectively sets the mood during tense moments, although the presence of disruptive player-generated music in lobbies detracts from the overall experience. Overall, while the ambient music contributes positively to immersion, there are calls for improvement in both variety and sound quality.
“You have such a good start going, the scenery is very nice, the zombies at night is creepy as all hell and the music is a nice touch.”
“The atmosphere of this game is amazing... the sound, the music, the ability to hear the voice of that strange person running towards you with an axe screaming...”
“The music sets the scene very effectively and helps to immerse you in the environment with the in-game audio working well as you move closer to other players or away from.”
“The music in this game is bad; I understand that it's trying to set a realistic atmosphere, but the sound quality is a little poor. If you fire one bullet from an automatic weapon, it sounds like two bullets are being fired.”
“This game seemed like it was fun at first, but the constant blaring of songs and mic spam just ruin the already dry game.”
“There is an annoying glitch where soft ambient music plays (you can still hear other things around you), but every time you go prone, crouched, or standing, the music restarts. Hopefully, that'll be patched out, but sound is a great survival tool in this game.”
- atmosphere102 mentions
- 42 % positive mentions
- 47 % neutral mentions
- 11 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is a mixed bag, with some players praising its immersive and eerie qualities, enhanced by good graphics and sound design, while others criticize it for lacking depth and realism, often feeling more like a chaotic shooter than a survival experience. Many reviews highlight the potential for a gripping atmosphere, especially during tense moments with zombies, but also note issues like poor optimization and gameplay mechanics that detract from the overall experience. Overall, while the game has moments of atmospheric brilliance, it struggles to maintain a consistent tone and depth that players expect from a zombie apocalypse setting.
“The atmosphere of this game is amazing... the sound, the music, the ability to hear the voice of that strange person running towards you with an axe screaming...”
“The dense fog is like a blanket being swept across the atmospheric map, creating a very special experience.”
“The world is also really cool as it's awesome to run down main street, see office buildings with computers and chairs, and houses with TVs and beds, and pizza places with tables etc. They did a great job with the atmosphere and the world-building; it doesn't just feel like a box with a roof on it that might have loot.”
“The atmosphere sucks.”
“The atmosphere of the game is lacking a lot.”
“Well, you won't like this game... most of all it lacks atmosphere.”
- replayability53 mentions
- 32 % positive mentions
- 60 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The reviews for replayability in this game are mixed, with some players praising its high replay value, particularly in battle royale modes, while others criticize the survival mode for lacking depth and variety. Many users express that the game has potential for increased replayability as it continues to develop, but currently, it may not offer enough to keep players engaged long-term. Overall, opinions range from "infinite replayability" to "very little replay value," indicating a divide in player experiences.
“Having said that, it is a nice game with a high replayability factor.”
“This game is completely replayable and it will keep you hooked for a long time.”
“Best $20 I ever spent, thousands of hours played, battle royale has infinite replayability, survival is coming along nicely.”
“No replay value and don't recommend wasting twenty bucks for a title that you will want to refund.”
“Survival mode is just boring garbage with no replay value.”
“The game is fun for a few minutes but has very little replay value, and once the initial novelty wears off, there is little to bring you back to it.”
- emotional52 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players express a wide range of emotional responses to the game, from deep frustration and disappointment due to lack of updates and repetitive gameplay to moments of intense immersion and connection with the game's world. Many recount experiences that evoke strong feelings, such as tears during pivotal moments or the emotional weight of in-game decisions, highlighting the game's potential for both heartache and joy. Overall, while some players find the emotional investment rewarding, others feel let down by the game's current state, leading to a mix of nostalgia and regret.
“Tears welled up in his eyes when he realized what exactly was at stake.”
“I purchased this game in early 2015, and it has been a complete emotional roller coaster for me.”
“Despite this, it has been one of the most immersive, scary, emotional experiences I have ever had in front of a monitor.”
- character development5 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 20 % neutral mentions
- 40 % negative mentions
The character development in Ark is praised for its potential to significantly enhance gameplay through unique skill sets that encourage diverse group dynamics. Players express a desire for more character design features, emphasizing the importance of character development in a zombie survival context.
“Those are going to be a game changer because it's going to allow for more character development and a much more unique set of skills that can allow groups to really come together in far different ways.”
“Ark has a better character development aspect.”
“Ark has better character development aspects.”
“We were promised a zombie survival character development game.”