State of Decay: YOSE

About

State of Decay: YOSE is a single player role playing game with a horror theme. It was developed by Undead Labs and was released on April 27, 2015. It received mostly positive reviews from players.

Make your stand against the collapse of society in the ultimate zombie survival-fantasy game. Explore an open world full of dangers and opportunities that respond to your every decision. Recruit a community of playable survivors, each with their own unique skills and talents. Design and fortify your base against the relentless hordes of the undead. Perform daring raids for food and ammunition, and…

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

78%

Audience ScoreBased on 8,408 reviews

story476 positive mentions

stability596 negative mentions

story
2,808 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
17%
75%
8%
The story in "State of Decay" is often described as basic and underdeveloped, with many players noting that it feels overshadowed by the gameplay mechanics focused on survival and resource management. While some appreciate the character-driven elements and the emotional weight of permadeath, others criticize the repetitive nature of missions and the lack of a compelling narrative arc. Overall, the game offers a mix of engaging moments and frustrating bugs, leading to a consensus that while the story exists, it is not the primary draw of the game.
- “Most zombie games follow a linear storyline, think The Last of Us, Dead Rising, or even Left 4 Dead 1 and 2, but what State of Decay as a franchise does uniquely is focus more on the characters in your group, making it more about survival. Now don't get me wrong, the story is still there.”
- “The campaign story is great, with a lot of memorable and relatable characters, and some intriguing and sad events.”
- “The story is engaging and you feel isolated and constantly in danger with hordes jumping inside your base, throwing you out of your cars and climbing on you.”
- “The story, which should be a significant driving force in the game, unfortunately remains forgettable.”
- “The missions lack variety and depth, leading to gameplay that becomes tedious after a few hours.”
- “The storyline is extremely bland and forgettable.”
gameplay
1,292 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
32%
56%
12%
The gameplay of "State of Decay" is characterized by a mix of engaging mechanics and significant bugs, leading to a divided reception among players. While many appreciate the addictive scavenging, base management, and survival elements, they also note issues such as clunky controls, repetitive tasks, and frustrating bugs that can disrupt the experience. Overall, the game offers a unique blend of zombie survival and community management, but its technical shortcomings and gameplay mechanics can detract from the enjoyment.
- “The mechanics for managing your base and survivors are really satisfying.”
- “It offers hours of addictive gameplay, a richly detailed world to explore, and enough challenge to keep you coming back for more.”
- “The gameplay is fun, captivating and has a special charm that no other video game I have played has.”
- “The gameplay is fine, but the zombies can get buggy or respawn ridiculously.”
- “It is not worth the full price as it has a lot of performance issues (get ready for a lot of alt+tabbing because the controls go crazy and switching vsync repeatedly on and off, just to get more than 20 fps), clunky mechanics (for keyboard and mouse) as well as several gameplay-breaking bugs (especially considering cars).”
- “The missions lack variety and depth, leading to gameplay that becomes tedious after a few hours.”
graphics
1,144 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
22%
65%
13%
The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with many players noting that they appear dated and lack polish, often comparing them unfavorably to more recent titles. While some appreciate the improvements made in the remastered version, others feel that the enhancements are minimal and not worth the price, citing issues like graphical glitches and limited customization options. Overall, the consensus suggests that while the graphics may not be stellar, the gameplay remains enjoyable for those who can overlook these visual shortcomings.
- “Good game, good replay value, good graphics, just a good game.”
- “The graphics hold up very nicely, and the gameplay is top notch.”
- “This is really a great fun game to play it runs smooth and the graphics are clear and good.”
- “The graphics were incredibly pixelated and the lack of customization in the settings made it difficult for me to get the game running smoothly.”
- “The graphics are a little bit outdated but I can assure you the gameplay is fun.”
- “The graphics were terrible, the game lagged a great deal too.”
stability
604 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
1%
99%
The game's stability is widely criticized, with numerous players reporting frequent bugs, glitches, and performance issues that significantly detract from the overall experience. Common problems include zombies clipping through walls, graphical glitches, and crashes, particularly when using higher resolutions. While some players find the game enjoyable despite these issues, many express frustration over its lack of polish and the persistence of game-breaking bugs.
- “I've experienced no glitches yet either.”
- “There are no glitches that I've found (yet), which is awesome.”
- “While still not bug free, the game is running a lot better.”
- “This game is a buggy mess and I've had zombies hide inside the walls of buildings and bite me when I pass by, unbeknownst to their existence.”
- “The amount of glitches, bugs, and controls is more frustrating than fun at this point.”
- “To start with, I encountered so many game-breaking glitches that the game was just impossible to play.”
optimization
290 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
14%
40%
46%
The game's optimization has received overwhelmingly negative feedback, with players reporting severe performance issues, including constant stuttering, frame drops, and bugs that hinder gameplay. Many users noted that even high-end systems struggle to maintain stable frame rates, and the lack of customizable graphics settings exacerbates the problem. While some players found ways to mitigate these issues, the overall consensus is that the game is poorly optimized, making it difficult to recommend, especially at full price.
- “On top of that, the game is super well optimized compared to a lot of games right now and is only like a 3 GB download.”
- “The original State of Decay (which I own and have played thoroughly) did have some performance issues even on good rigs, especially if the ultra setting was on, but the Year One edition runs at a smooth 60 FPS for me apart from some hitching when loading textures, but this doesn't affect my experience.”
- “Some of the reviews aren't correct from what I have experienced; this version's performance is much, much better than the previous one and it does look a little better, but personally, I would purchase this edition purely for the performance boost.”
- “The game is an unoptimized mess with glitched out light and shadow effects forcing you to set all graphics to low.”
- “My biggest warning is that this version of the game is poorly optimized, so if you have middling hardware you may have trouble running this game.”
- “Horrendous performance even on high-tier systems.”
music
138 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
42%
56%
2%
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its ability to enhance the atmosphere, with many players praising the soundtracks for their immersive qualities during both combat and exploration. Composed by notable artists like Jesper Kyd, the music effectively shifts to match the game's tension, creating a haunting yet soothing experience that players find memorable. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's emotional depth and engagement.
- “The music is awesome, it changes in different situations preparing you for what's coming, and feels really immersive.”
- “The iconic soundtrack is both haunting and soothing as its tunes change throughout the day into the night.”
- “Music is done very well, setting the tone of a once normal world transformed into an unbelievable living nightmare, which blends well with the hometown family surroundings all around you.”
- “However, over time a lot of the issues the survivors have become the same song and dance.”
- “Because it is a random selection of lines, the game will essentially put you on hold as it thumbs through the audio files like an elderly DJ at a skate rink thumbing through records for the right song to fit the mood.”
- “Tons of B-game disappointments: poor voice acting, music, sound effects, repetitive character models, etc. Maybe if they had a bigger budget these would be better and the story more engaging.”
replayability
132 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
45%
5%
The game boasts significant replayability, enhanced by multiple DLCs like Breakdown and Lifeline, which introduce new environments and gameplay modes. Players appreciate the unique character stories, permadeath mechanics, and the ability to switch between survivors, all contributing to varied experiences in each playthrough. However, some users note that after several runs, the game can feel repetitive, and the base mode lacks sufficient difficulty to maintain long-term engagement.
- “When the story is all said and done, its alternate modes provide near-infinite replayability.”
- “The game's unique mechanics, such as permadeath and the ability to switch between different characters, add an extra layer of depth and replayability.”
- “With its vast open world, immersive gameplay, and endless replay value, it's no wonder this game has garnered such a cult following.”
- “Once you see everything, it's a very tiny repetitive world and it has virtually no replay value.”
- “No replayability whatsoever but so awesome game.”
- “Unfortunately, the base game mode has no difficulty, so no replayability (where you would skip the tutorial).”
grinding
120 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
3%
5%
92%
The grinding aspect of the game is frequently described as tedious and repetitive, with many players noting that the gameplay loop of looting and completing side quests can become monotonous after a few hours. While some enjoy the grind for resources and character progression, others find it frustrating and overly time-consuming, often comparing it to a job rather than an engaging gaming experience. Overall, the game offers a mix of fun and grind, but the latter can detract from the overall enjoyment for many players.
- “A game should be fun and engaging, not tedious like a job.”
- “A game should be fun and engaging, not tedious like a job.”
- “It can be a bit grindy sometimes.”
- “The missions lack variety and depth, leading to gameplay that becomes tedious after a few hours.”
- “I've already played it a few years ago and I am currently playing here on Steam, and in neither occasion I've been able to finish the game, since the main quest line comes to a long and unbearable stop about halfway through, with the only activities available being random events or the grindy and repetitive exploring you can do yourself.”
- “I found this game to be extremely tedious and frustrating!”
atmosphere
68 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
47%
47%
6%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive qualities, combining eerie sound design, effective music, and a sense of constant threat that enhances the zombie survival experience. Players appreciate the blend of comfort and creepiness, particularly during nighttime, and the overall aesthetic successfully conveys a feeling of dread and decay. Despite some technical flaws, the game's atmosphere is considered one of its strongest aspects, making it a standout in the genre.
- “Plus, the sound design really shines, with eerie ambient noises and bone-chilling zombie growls adding to the atmosphere.”
- “It's a great game though, with a good comfy atmosphere that simultaneously turns creepy at night, and a healthy amount of fear and anxiety, as some of the undead can one-shot you and cripple you.”
- “Honestly one of the best atmospheres I've ever been in, and it sucks you in fast.”
- “A little buggy and lacking atmosphere, but other than that, really the pinnacle of games in this genre.”
- “The game does well with its eerie atmosphere, but it fails to encapsulate the zombie survival genre.”
- “As I wrote earlier, the graphics aren't amazing from a technical standpoint, but I do think that the art comes together to create a real atmosphere of dread and decay.”
humor
56 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
96%
4%
The humor in the game is a mixed bag, with players finding enjoyment in its quirky bugs and funny NPC interactions, while also experiencing frustration from some of the game's flaws. Memes and humorous commentary about the absurdities of a zombie apocalypse add to the charm, though the humor can be hit-or-miss, with some players not finding it funny at all. Overall, the game offers a unique blend of hilarity and irritation that keeps players engaged despite its imperfections.
- “The internet is full of hilarious State of Decay memes, from 'when you realize you're the last one left alive in your community' to 'when you see a horde coming but you don't have enough ammo.'”
- “I think it's an overall good game; it's not zombie challenge prone with them popping up out of nowhere, but the random things they say can be very funny, like how one guy randomly commented on why, in a zombie apocalypse, did everyone steal the toilet paper first above food and guns. Are they stupid and think they can eat it?”
- “The many ways of killing a zombie are hilarious!”
- “So casual, not funny, didn't laugh.”
- “So casual, not funny, didn't laugh.”
emotional
50 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
92%
8%
Players express a strong emotional connection to characters in the game, often feeling genuine sadness and shock when they experience permadeath. While the game offers a thrilling and heart-wrenching survival experience, many reviewers criticize its repetitive missions and technical issues, which can detract from the emotional impact. Overall, the emotional depth is praised, but it is often overshadowed by gameplay frustrations and a lack of character uniqueness.
- “This game is a super fun but a frustrating and emotional thrill-ride.”
- “I have become so emotionally attached to my characters that I have felt legitimate shock and sadness when they die.”
- “Each character also suffers permadeath and nothing is more heart-breaking than watching a character you built get destroyed by a silly move in a routine scavenging mission.”
- “Almost every mission I played is repetitive; I had to kill zombies, save survivors, or gather resources in its uninspired, boring story. Every mission - no matter the main or side.”
monetization
38 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
3%
8%
89%
The monetization of the game has been widely criticized as a blatant cash grab, with many reviewers expressing disappointment over the lack of significant improvements or new content compared to the original release. Despite the absence of microtransactions, players feel that the full-price tag for what is perceived as a repackaged version of the game is unjustifiable, leading to frustration and a sense of being exploited by the developers. Overall, the sentiment is that the game fails to deliver value for money, prompting many to recommend seeking alternatives or using mods instead.
- “It still surprises me that there are no microtransactions in this version of the game.”
- “Shameful cash grab for something that should have been free, or at least sold as an upgrade, rather than a separate game for full price.”
- “Still one of the worst cash grabs I can remember - it barely fixed anything from the original release, it launched with brand new bugs (performance + gameplay) and it barely had any new content to justify the inflated price point.”
- “This is nothing but a cash grab, and not even a remotely good one at that.”
character development
22 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
36%
50%
14%
Character development in the game is a mixed bag, with some players praising its potential while others criticize its lack of depth and impact. Many feel that the character arcs are underdeveloped, with minimal unique stories and emotional weight, particularly regarding the death of survivors. Overall, while the game offers solid mechanics and engaging gameplay, a more robust character development system could significantly enhance the player experience.
- “One of the best things about State of Decay is the character development.”
- “Mix that with great action, probably the best story we have seen in a zombie survival game, and good character development, and you have yourself a game worth every penny.”
- “Base building and character development make it a nice solid product regardless of what people say.”
- “Story and character development are light.”
- “There were no attempts at character development or unique stories to unlock.”
- “Aside from the general character stats, there isn’t enough character development in-game.”