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Z. Year One

Z. Year One Game Cover
49%Game Brain Score
graphics, humor
gameplay
59% User Score Based on 34 reviews

Platforms

PCWindows
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Z. Year One Game Cover

About

Z. Year One is a single player turn-based strategy game with horror and violence themes. It was developed by Downward Viral and was released on February 22, 2017. It received neutral reviews from players.

"Z. Year One" is a horror-themed, turn-based strategy game with single-player mode and visually appealing graphics, offering around 3 hours of playtime. The game features two asymmetrical factions and a zombie theme, providing two ways to play. Developed through crowdfunding, the game utilizes PlayFab for player account management, enabling features such as progress tracking and potential future multiplayer capabilities.

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Z. Year One screenshot
Z. Year One screenshot
Z. Year One screenshot
Z. Year One screenshot
Z. Year One screenshot
Z. Year One screenshot
Z. Year One screenshot
Z. Year One screenshot
Z. Year One screenshot
Z. Year One screenshot
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59%
Audience ScoreBased on 34 reviews
graphics8 positive mentions
gameplay3 negative mentions
  • The game features great artwork and card visuals, enhancing the overall experience.
  • It has a solid concept with potential for fun gameplay, especially for those who enjoy card-based strategy games.
  • The developers are actively engaged with the community and are committed to improving the game through updates.
  • The game suffers from slow gameplay and a lack of quality-of-life features, making it frustrating to play.
  • There are significant bugs and issues with the game's mechanics, including problems with card functionality and progression.
  • The requirement to log in for single-player mode is seen as unnecessary and detracts from the overall enjoyment of the game.
  • graphics
    12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of the game are highly praised for their impressive artwork and slick photography, particularly the R-rated gore-hound aesthetic that avoids the uncanny valley. Users appreciate the quality of the card visuals, sound effects, and animations, noting that they enhance the overall gameplay experience. Overall, the game's visual presentation is considered a standout feature that contributes to its fun and engaging nature.

    • “And I freakin' love the R-rated gore-hound aesthetic, featuring slick photography instead of anything that might slip into an uncanny valley.”
    • “The card graphics are on point and the sound effects and animations are better than some other combat-type card games I've played recently.”
    • “Card visuals are awesome, ambient sounds do the job and being able to play the horde adds some fun.”
    • “Great concept, and I love the photography and artwork, but the graphics leave much to be desired.”
    • “The visuals are underwhelming and fail to capture the potential of the game's concept.”
    • “While the aesthetic has potential, the execution in the graphics department is lacking.”
  • gameplay
    10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Gameplay is marred by locked content requiring extensive repetitive play, alongside frustrating bugs like the inability to end turns and a lack of options for faster animations. While the developers are responsive and engaged with the community, the early access status reveals significant issues that can detract from the experience. Despite these drawbacks, many players appreciate the game's pricing model and the potential for future improvements.

    • “The developers seem to be very active on the community forums and are very helpful with their advice on the little nuances of the gameplay. They genuinely care about the game and are doing their best to resolve any issues.”
    • “The gameplay offers a rich experience, and the developers are committed to improving it based on community feedback.”
    • “Some cards and game modes are locked behind hours of repetitive gameplay.”
    • “Add to that a random game-breaking bug (cannot end turn), no gameplay options (faster animation), or a skip button for the end phase (fallen can gain more fury per turn for excess fury, but you have to click manually hundreds of times per turn if the game gets too long).”
    • “The decision to put a price tag on the game and give booster packs to unlock cards through gameplay is a much better idea than a free-to-play version; the game is worth it.”
  • humor
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players find the humor in the game to be a standout feature, with many highlighting moments of unexpected hilarity, such as self-inflicted mishaps. The comedic elements contribute significantly to the overall enjoyment, making it a memorable and entertaining experience.

    • “This game is really fun to play! It looks amazing, runs smoothly, and has lots of funny moments. Spoiler alert: when I first shot myself in the face, it was very funny indeed! Stop thinking about whether you should buy it or not; the answer is you would be pretty dumb not to. It's one of a kind! 10/10”
  • music
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music and sound effects in this early access game are highly praised for their quality, effectively creating an intimidating atmosphere that enhances the gameplay experience. Many users note that the audio elements contribute significantly to the overall immersion, rivaling those found in full-priced titles.

    • “The sound effects and music are really great, setting a slightly intimidating background to all the horrible ways your survivors can meet their maker should your planning go wrong.”
    • “For an early access game, it actually looks better than some full-price games I've seen released recently. The card and background look really high quality.”
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3h Median play time
3h Average play time
3-3h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 2 analyzed playthroughs
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Frequently Asked Questions

Z. Year One is a turn-based strategy game with horror and violence themes.

Z. Year One is available on PC and Windows.

On average players spend around 3 hours playing Z. Year One.

Z. Year One was released on February 22, 2017.

Z. Year One was developed by Downward Viral.

Z. Year One has received neutral reviews from players. Most players liked this game for its graphics but disliked it for its gameplay.

Z. Year One is a single player game.

Similar games include MARVEL SNAP Strategy Card Game, Warbands: Bushido, Indies' Lies, Infinity Wars: Animated Trading Card Game, Roguebook and others.