State of Decay 2

  • May 22, 2018
77%
Game Brain Score Based on 197 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • graphics
State of Decay 2 Game Cover
State of Decay 2 improves upon its predecessor in almost every way. Although the game still suffers from a host of bugs and lacks much of a focused narrative, it succeeds at being a tremendously enjoyable and addictive experience.
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"State of Decay 2 is a horror RPG where you survive in a post-apocalyptic world filled with zombies. Up to three friends can build a community, managing resources and developing characters. Every decision made affects the community and the dynamic, open world, creating a unique experience for each player."

  • PC
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

77%
Audience ScoreBased on 197 reviews
gameplay10 positive mentions
story6 negative mentions
  • State of Decay 2 offers a fun and engaging community management system that adds depth to the gameplay, allowing players to build and customize their bases while managing survivor relationships.
  • The game features enjoyable combat mechanics and a sense of tension with the permanent death of characters, making each decision feel impactful.
  • Multiplayer co-op enhances the experience, allowing players to team up with friends to tackle challenges and explore the expansive world together.
  • The game suffers from numerous bugs and technical issues that can disrupt gameplay, including glitches that may lead to frustrating experiences.
  • Repetitive gameplay and a lack of a strong narrative can make the experience feel grindy and less engaging over time.
  • Some players find the inventory management and overall game balance to be frustrating, leading to a less enjoyable experience.
  • story38 mentions

    The game's story is largely seen as minimal and repetitive, with players primarily focused on completing straightforward objectives like killing plague hearts and fulfilling legacy quests. While some enjoy the emergent narratives created through varied playthroughs, many criticize the lack of a cohesive or engaging storyline, alongside numerous bugs and mission-related frustrations that detract from the overall experience. Overall, the narrative elements feel underdeveloped, leaving players wanting more depth and polish.

    • “Every playthrough is different and creates such a great immersive story for you to create on your own.”
    • “This game is awesome with a different storyline each time you play it.”
    • “It’s basically the same as SOD1 with improved graphics, options, and story.”
    • “There's pretty much no story or real campaign.”
    • “The storyline is non-existent.”
    • “Characters and story are barely there.”
  • gameplay27 mentions

    The gameplay of State of Decay 2 has received mixed reviews, with some praising its engaging community management, satisfying combat mechanics, and addictive gameplay loop, particularly in multiplayer settings. However, many players have criticized the game for its repetitive nature, technical bugs, and simplified mechanics compared to the original, leading to a less enjoyable experience over time. Overall, while the game offers depth and fun in its core systems, its execution is marred by inconsistencies and technical issues.

    • “The sequel takes the core gameplay of the first, adds extra depth and puts added polish on with the help of the switch to Unreal Engine.”
    • “[challenging, in-depth community management system, satisfying combat mechanics, 4-player co-op!] .”
    • “[compelling and satisfying gameplay loop, massive map with plenty to scavenge, community management is great fun.]”
    • “Now the gameplay is worse than before!”
    • “On the second playthrough, I got much farther but the gameplay became very repetitive and a bit boring.”
    • “Gameplay was actually worse than the first game.”
  • graphics23 mentions

    The graphics of the game are generally considered mediocre, with many reviewers noting subpar visuals and frequent glitches that detract from the experience. While some players find the graphics acceptable and appreciate the fun gameplay, others express disappointment, especially those who prioritize visual quality. Overall, the game's enjoyable mechanics and engaging gameplay seem to overshadow its graphical shortcomings.

    • “Decent graphics and motion.”
    • “The first few hours of gameplay were very fun, and the graphics are phenomenal on the Xbox One X.”
    • “It’s basically the same as SOD1 with improved graphics, options, and story.”
    • “The graphics for Xbox One are subpar.”
    • “If graphics are important to you, I am sure you will be disappointed.”
    • “I really wanted to like this game, but the graphics are not as expected and it is very glitchy!”
  • stability22 mentions

    The stability of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players reporting minimal issues and enjoying their experience, while others highlight significant bugs and glitches that can hinder gameplay, particularly in co-op mode. While a few users noted occasional graphical glitches, many found them non-game-breaking, though the overall lack of polish and repetitive elements were common criticisms. Overall, the game's stability appears to vary widely among players, with some able to overlook the bugs for the enjoyment it offers.

    • “No glitches and a wonderful game.”
    • “No glitches and a wonderful game.”
    • “The game is extremely buggy and the co-op mode is falsely represented as a co-op game you can play with your friends, but guess what... your friends can’t do anything in your community.”
    • “A mainly disappointing sequel, with some glitches that hinder the progress and the fun.”
    • “For newcomers, the repetitive combat and mission variety, glitches, and lack of polish can be a turnoff, but the base-building and survivor management manage to shine.”
  • optimization6 mentions

    Overall, "State of Decay 2" offers an engaging zombie survival experience, but it is marred by notable performance issues, visual shortcomings, and frequent bugs. While the game features interesting character dynamics, players may find the technical aspects lacking, especially for an open-world title released in 2018.

    • “The people you can recruit have personality traits that affect their performance, so each time you play, you get an interesting combination of folks.”
    • “If you can put up with a game that isn't quite state of the industry when it comes to visual fidelity and performance, there's a fun zombie survival game underneath it all.”
    • “State of Decay 2 is a fun and challenging survival experience that suffers due to repetition and questionable technical performance.”
    • “Rough from a visual and performance standpoint, small map for an open world game in 2018, doesn't deliver that many additions over the first game.”
    • “Disappointing performance and frequent bugs.”
  • grinding6 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be both addictive and tedious, often leading to repetitive gameplay that can feel overly long and janky. While it may appeal to fans of survival simulations and zombie genres, the grindiness and bugs may deter those with limited time or interest in these styles.

    • “Too much RPG-style grinding.”
    • “Not bad, the game gets repetitive and grindy real fast.”
    • “The game will appeal to fans of survival simulation and zombie games, but its bugginess and grindiness may turn off gamers without a lot of time to spare or those with little interest in these subgenres.”
  • replayability5 mentions

    The game is praised for its high replayability, with many users highlighting its fun factor and suggesting that it offers a compelling reason to play multiple times. Overall, players find the replay value to be significant, contributing to the game's enjoyment.

    • “This game is very fun and has immense replay value.”
    • “Good replayability.”
    • “Good game, decent replay value.”
  • music3 mentions

    The music in the game is highly praised for its stellar soundtrack, which enhances the addictive gameplay and base management elements. Players appreciate how the soundtrack evokes nostalgia, reminiscent of the original game, contributing to its long-term playability.

    • “The addictive gameplay combined with stellar soundtrack creates an immersive experience.”
    • “The music soundtrack is repetitive and lacks variety, making long-term playability feel stale.”
    • “For a preorder price of $24, I expected a more diverse and engaging music experience, but it feels like I'm just reliving the same tracks from previous games.”
  • emotional2 mentions

    Reviews indicate that the emotional depth of characters in a zombie apocalypse setting is often perceived as lacking, with players expecting a broader range of emotional responses from survivors in such dire circumstances.

  • atmosphere1 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is praised for its immersive setting, enhanced by excellent location-based audio that enriches the experience. Additionally, the robust gaming loop contributes to a captivating and engaging environment that keeps players invested.

    • “The atmospheric setting truly immerses you in the game world, making every moment feel alive.”
    • “The great location-based audio enhances the experience, drawing you deeper into the environment.”
    • “The robust gaming loop keeps you engaged while the atmosphere wraps around you like a blanket.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

66% average critic score

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