SurrounDead

89%
Game Brain Score Based on 5,584 reviews
  • gameplay
  • graphics
  • story
SurrounDead Game Cover
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"SurrounDead" is a single-player, open-world zombie survival game with a good story, stunning mechanics, and sensational graphics. The game features a vast, post-apocalyptic landscape with various zombies, human survivors, and vehicles to manage. Despite some grinding and bugs, the unique atmosphere and the promise of future updates, such as improved AI and controller support, make it an intriguing choice for fans of the genre.

  • PC
  • Windows
  • Linux
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

89%
Audience ScoreBased on 5,584 reviews
gameplay198 positive mentions
stability100 negative mentions
  • Engaging gameplay that combines elements from popular survival games like DayZ, Tarkov, and State of Decay.
  • Active developer who frequently updates the game and listens to community feedback.
  • Customizable difficulty settings allow players to tailor their experience to their liking.
  • Combat mechanics, especially melee, can feel clunky and unresponsive.
  • Zombies and enemies respawn upon loading a save, which can lead to frustrating encounters.
  • The game currently lacks multiplayer, which many players are eagerly awaiting.
  • gameplay638 mentions

    The gameplay of Surroundead is characterized by a blend of familiar mechanics from popular survival and shooter games, such as looting, inventory management, and combat, creating an engaging experience for players. While the core mechanics are solid and customizable, allowing for various difficulty settings, some players find the combat and movement to be clunky and the gameplay loop repetitive. Overall, the game shows promise with frequent updates and a dedicated development team, but it still requires refinement in certain areas to enhance the overall experience.

    • “The gameplay loop that occupies much of my time is similar to 7 Days to Die's locations and looting, making many locations sort of mini dungeons with somewhat linear paths and plenty of small rewards leading up to a large payoff, RNG permitting.”
    • “The most rewarding part of the gameplay for me is looting, which has a nice progression (depending on RNG), and scratches just the right itch for any looter-shooter fan.”
    • “The dev gives you so many options to adapt the gameplay and difficulty to what you find fun, so it can be anything from a hardcore survival game to a single-player DayZ to a power trip.”
    • “Really my biggest gripe with the game is the gameplay feel.”
    • “Unfulfilling gameplay loop and questionable gameplay mechanics.”
    • “This game suffers from tedious mechanics, and a featureless/clunky UI, and terrible combat.”
  • graphics342 mentions

    The graphics of the game are characterized by a charming low-poly aesthetic that appeals to many players, running smoothly even on budget PCs. While some users find the visuals simplistic or reminiscent of older titles, others appreciate the unique art style and effective use of lighting and weather effects, which enhance the overall experience. Overall, the graphics may not be cutting-edge, but they contribute positively to the gameplay and immersion, making it enjoyable for fans of the genre.

    • “The map and graphics are gorgeous and run well on budget PCs.”
    • “Graphics and lighting are actually beautiful despite the simplified visual style; I mean, it runs on Unreal Engine 5.”
    • “I like the low poly graphics; it runs amazingly well on my devices, even tried it on my handhelds and was getting well over 140 fps.”
    • “The graphics are not great, kind of Lego land, but the open world is pretty cool.”
    • “Terrible graphics.”
    • “Can't get past shitty graphics.”
  • story256 mentions

    The game's story aspect is currently minimal, with many players noting a lack of quests and a cohesive narrative, focusing instead on survival gameplay. While there are hints of potential future content, including quests and storylines, these features are not yet implemented, leaving the game feeling incomplete. Players express hope for upcoming updates to introduce more engaging missions and a richer lore to enhance the overall experience.

    • “Lot's of potential and absolute great usage of environmental storytelling (I know your secrets, devs).”
    • “What I'm really waiting for is some kind of storyline leading to an end game or answers as to what happened and who's responsible.”
    • “I'm really enjoying the game, though there are no tasks or quests yet you will have something to do, if you are not only story driven.”
    • “Doesn't have much story, that I could see, but it focuses more on the survival factor.”
    • “Solid game so far but they have work to do to flesh out the lore, story, etc.”
    • “It lacks a 'story' at this point but doesn't necessarily need one.”
  • stability112 mentions

    The game's stability is a mixed bag, with many users reporting numerous bugs and glitches that can hinder gameplay, particularly during the tutorial and in inventory management. While some players find the game mostly playable and enjoyable despite these issues, others describe it as a "buggy mess" that can lead to crashes and frustrating experiences. Overall, it appears to be in an early access state, requiring significant polish and updates to improve stability.

    • “The game runs great and despite its art style has some impressive visuals.”
    • “It runs great on my 500 dollar laptop.”
    • “Great survival game, single player only at the moment but it is a fantastic challenge and runs great.”
    • “It completely freezes even during the tutorial, and in the radiation part of the tutorial the mask you're given doesn't even work to stop the radiation from killing you; and yes I put the filter on the mask.”
    • “This game is a broken, buggy piece of trash.”
    • “Buggy beyond belief, unplayable trash at this current state.”
  • grinding108 mentions

    Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be a mixed experience; while some appreciate the rewarding nature of resource gathering and base building, many criticize it for being tedious and breaking immersion. The need for extensive material collection and the cumbersome inventory management detract from the overall enjoyment, although some players enjoy the casual exploration and crafting elements. Suggestions for improvement include adding farming mechanics and streamlining crafting processes to enhance the gameplay experience.

    • “Not too grindy but grindy enough to keep you busy for a while if you want all legendary items in the game and upgrade your base.”
    • “Not too grindy but grindy enough to keep you busy for a while if you want all legendary items in the game and upgrade your base.”
    • “I'm hoping to see more mechanics involved around eating and drinking. I would love to see farming being added (according to a roadmap, it's in the works). They also mentioned in a roadmap they plan on adding bandit camps as well as quests from allies, which sounds exciting.”
    • “It's tedious and breaks immersion.”
    • “Currently it's more just a sandbox so once you've explored the map, got yourself some good weapons and other gear and found somewhere to establish a base there isn't too much more to do besides grinding scavenging resources to extend your base.”
    • “Inventory/loot systems are tedious to the point it ruins the game.”
  • music54 mentions

    The music in the game is generally praised for its chill and engaging atmosphere, enhancing the overall experience, especially during looting and exploration. While some players find it enjoyable and immersive, others note that it can become repetitive or annoying at times, and there is a desire for more background music to fill the silence. Overall, the soundtrack contributes positively to the game's ambiance, making it a standout feature despite some areas needing improvement.

    • “For a zombie game, it's surprisingly chill, beautiful environment, music that vibes.”
    • “Great atmosphere, great music, solid sound design.”
    • “Despite being an early access game, there's still enough work cut out for you to stay occupied for a good several hours that's complemented with a very nice soundtrack.”
    • “The only thing I think that lets this down is the lack of background music; it feels empty without it.”
    • “Oh and the music, goddamn.”
    • “I am currently enjoying the game, just the slow pace makes it very relaxing, the only part where I feel uneasy while playing this game is when I pass an ice cream truck and the music is playing very creepily, or passing a radiation area and my screen turns black which adjusts over time.”
  • atmosphere50 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised, with many reviewers highlighting its immersive qualities, diverse weather effects, and engaging art style. Players appreciate the tension created by the environment, particularly in looting scenarios where danger feels ever-present. However, some critiques mention that empty buildings can detract from the overall atmosphere, suggesting a need for more populated areas to enhance the sense of danger and life within the game world.

    • “But what sucked me in was its very, very well-made atmosphere.”
    • “The atmosphere is amazing.”
    • “Bringing alongside the idea of extraction shooters, the towns themselves feel empty, not loot-wise I enjoy the looting, but perhaps there should be scavengers, military, or coyote instances where you feel the sense of danger every time you enter a town. A deterrent for the weak and a challenge for the veterans with varying levels of difficulties, similar to the extraction shooter in an open world atmosphere. It should feel like there is someone else around the corner waiting to kill me, only to confirm my worries by gunshots, and myself second guessing emptying a full mag on a horde because a bot could hear me and bring his friends to attack me.”
    • “Played for an hour and buildings are unpopulated, completely empty, which kills the atmosphere.”
    • “What I'm most impressed by is the weather system, as it doesn't just add some annoying rain but instead it changes the whole atmosphere and game feel.”
  • optimization46 mentions

    Overall, the game's optimization is a mixed bag; while some players report smooth performance and minimal bugs, others experience significant FPS drops and performance issues, particularly in certain areas. Many reviewers express hope for further optimization, especially given the game's early access status, indicating that while the foundation is solid, there is still considerable room for improvement. Frequent updates from the developers have been noted, suggesting a commitment to enhancing performance and addressing player concerns.

    • “It feels very smooth, it's well optimized, there's a big sense of 'turn off my brain and have fun' while I play it.”
    • “For a game this early in development, the core gameplay works well & it's surprisingly well optimized, getting 120ish fps average on high settings (r5 3600 & rx 6600).”
    • “Looking forward to the optimization of your team.”
    • “Game mechanics and world need to be optimized.”
    • “This game could be lots of fun someday, but right now it's just an un-optimized mess.”
    • “- Hardware optimization (RTX 3090 was only getting 57 FPS with maxed or ultra settings. This should not be a demanding game).”
  • replayability24 mentions

    The game's replayability is a mixed bag; while some players find it offers significant replay value through difficulty adjustments and varied gameplay options, others feel it lacks depth and content for long-term engagement. Many appreciate the sandbox elements and frequent updates from developers, but some suggest that the addition of a cooperative mode could enhance the experience further. Overall, opinions vary widely, with some labeling it as "infinitely replayable" and others noting it could use more content.

    • “It's a fun sandbox game with tons of replayability.”
    • “Has good replayability as you can change the difficulty and loot variability in new games.”
    • “☑️ infinitely replayable”
    • “It's quick fun, but the replayability is kinda bad.”
    • “It definitely needs more to do/replayability, though.”
    • “**this game needs a coop mode** it would make it infinitely more replayable for silly shenanigans with friends.”
  • humor18 mentions

    The game is praised for its humor, featuring amusing elements like quirky zombie characters, including a scuba diver zombie, and absurd driving mechanics that enhance the comedic experience. Players appreciate the clever writing, such as the tutorial's playful reassurance about a non-threatening zombie, contributing to an overall fun and entertaining atmosphere. Despite some developmental quirks, the humor adds depth and enjoyment to the gameplay.

    • “On the other hand, the driving mechanics are hilarious and add a sense of absurdity to the game.”
    • “The zombies are funny too; there is even a scuba diver zombie roaming around at times, miles away from any real body of water.”
    • “What I found funny was in the tutorial where it first shows you how to stab a zombie, it says 'don't worry, this one won't attack yet.'”
  • monetization14 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game has drawn criticism, with players feeling that it resembles a cash grab due to its prolonged early access status and lack of transparency regarding updates and development. Additionally, the absence of a proper aiming down sights (ADS) mechanic, despite the presence of optics, has frustrated users, further contributing to the perception that the game is not being adequately supported or improved.

    • “There's no ads for any gun; like the gun has iron sights, why not use the iron sights?”
    • “This game has been 'early access' for far too long, just feels like a cash grab at this point.”
    • “I've seen it enough, but that only matters if there's absolutely zero transparency about what's being worked on, or hell, if the game is even being worked on in the first place or if it was just a cash grab.”
    • “Kind of seems like a cash grab if so...”
  • emotional8 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is mixed, with some players feeling intense engagement during gunfights, particularly against bandits, which evokes a scavenger mentality. However, frustrations with melee combat and vehicle mechanics detract from the overall experience, leading to a sense of dissatisfaction and a recommendation to invest more time before fully engaging with the game.

    • “Fighting the bandits made me feel like a scav in EFT, and since I'll have to make my bullets count, this made the gunfight with them much more intense.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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Play time

9hMedian play time
18hAverage play time
5-25hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 64 analyzed playthroughs

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