Zafehouse Diaries 2
- June 16, 2017
- Screwfly Studios
- 4h median play time
"Zafehouse Diaries 2" is a strategic survival simulation game where players must lead a group of survivors in a post-apocalyptic world overrun by zombies. The game offers complex survival mechanics, character development, and permadeath, as players scavenge for resources, manage morale, and make tough decisions to ensure their group's survival. With multiple endings, high replayability, and a focus on narrative, "Zafehouse Diaries 2" provides a challenging and immersive experience.
Reviews
- Significant improvements over the first game, with better graphics and more customization options.
- Engaging gameplay that encourages strategic planning and relationship management among survivors.
- Offers a variety of scenarios and modes, providing replayability and a unique experience each time.
- Many players feel the game is too similar to the first installment, lacking substantial new content.
- The user interface can be clunky and confusing, detracting from the overall experience.
- Some mechanics, such as the RNG and tutorial, can lead to frustrating gameplay moments.
- gameplay16 mentions
- 19 % positive mentions
- 63 % neutral mentions
- 19 % negative mentions
Gameplay reviews highlight a mix of strengths and weaknesses, with some players appreciating the improved mechanics and customization options compared to the previous installment. However, concerns about unclear mechanics, lack of depth, and reliance on RNG persist, suggesting that while the game offers decent survival elements and smoother interactions, it still feels somewhat repetitive and lacks a strong sense of progression or home-building. Overall, the gameplay is seen as an evolution rather than a significant overhaul, with many existing systems remaining largely unchanged.
“Decent survival mechanics that prevent the game from being a 'waiting around' game.”
“Much better gameplay than the first one; the custom sliders and ability to create custom survivors, items, and occupations make the game even more fun.”
“Better UI and gameplay as a whole, with more interaction as a game rather than just reading the diary.”
“The only thing I have a problem with is the RNG (random number generator) and unclear gameplay.”
“There's not so much depth to the game and the gameplay mechanics are rather straightforward.”
“Definitely not worth a brand new release as the existing systems and gameplay are nearly identical.”
- story16 mentions
- 13 % positive mentions
- 69 % neutral mentions
- 19 % negative mentions
The game's story aspect is a mixed bag, with some players appreciating the unique blend of drama, RPG, and survival elements that allow for personalized narratives, while others find the overarching plot to be standard and uninspired. The replay value is enhanced by the challenge of missions and the emotional investment in character outcomes, though the lack of depth in the main storyline leaves some players wanting more. Overall, the ability to create individual stories adds a layer of engagement, but the execution of the narrative may not satisfy everyone.
“This game is simply unique, no other can come up with a mix of 'drama RPG survival strategy text-story'.”
“You'll be really bummed out when your characters die - especially if they're on a simple investigation mission or get infected - which brings me back to one of the great things about this game: I care.”
“I think it would be a better game if it had a deep story that made you care about the characters.”
“Fairly standard survival storylines; a little bit boring if I'm honest.”
“A lot of reading and story but in a very overdone setting, with nothing really surprising that I've discovered yet.”
- graphics12 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The graphics of Zafehouse 2 have been described as flashy yet minimalistic, with some users noting that they are an upgrade from the original but still lack depth and detail. While the new scenarios are appreciated, many reviewers feel that the graphics are not demanding enough to justify the game's performance issues, suggesting that the visual improvements could have been implemented as a free update rather than a standalone release. Overall, the aesthetic choices have received mixed feedback, with some finding them unpleasing and others acknowledging the effort to enhance the game's visual appeal.
“Zafehouse 2 takes what is a streamlined and clear text-based game and complicates it with flashy and updated graphics.”
“New scenarios are nice to have, graphics are slightly better, and I have changed my review to positive given my overall impression of the game.”
“Despite the simple graphics, it doesn't exactly like my machine which can easily handle Sims 3 with over 500 pieces of custom content, which is saying something.”
“The graphics are minimalistic; all you're going to be looking at are maps and the survivor pictures.”
“This game brought my graphics card to its knees, despite nothing being actually 3D.”
“I just couldn’t get over how annoying and aesthetically unpleasing these were.”
- replayability2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -100 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players find the game highly replayable due to its challenging missions that require multiple attempts to complete, as well as its depth and random elements combined with customizable settings, which enhance the overall experience.
“It means beating a mission takes around 100 tries, which adds significant replay value.”
“It's not as simple as it seems; it has a decent scope of depth, and the random nature plus the custom settings provide a ton of replayability.”
“It means beating a mission takes about 100 tries, so it provides replay value that way.”
“It's not as simple as it seems; it has a decent scope of depth, and the random nature plus the custom settings give it a ton of replayability.”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is noted for being intriguing and full of potential, despite some flaws present in other aspects.
“It had its flaws, but it also had a very interesting atmosphere and potential.”
- music1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The game features no music during gameplay, which has been noted by users as a significant absence.
“There's no music during gameplay.”
“The soundtrack is repetitive and lacks variety.”
“The music doesn't fit the game's atmosphere.”
- grinding1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and unengaging, with a lack of realism in the abundance of weapons scattered throughout various locations, contributing to an overall dry experience.
“The game is extremely dry and wildly unrealistic; just about every location has guns and/or random weapons in it, making the experience quite tedious.”
“Grinding feels like a never-ending chore, with little reward for the time invested.”
“The repetitive nature of grinding makes it hard to stay engaged with the game.”
- stability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The game suffers from significant stability issues, with numerous basic bugs and glitches reported by users, leading many to consider it a waste of money.
“Waste of money; there are tons of basic bugs and glitches.”
“The game crashes frequently, making it nearly unplayable.”
“I encountered multiple game-breaking bugs that ruined my experience.”