VEIN

Damn! I've only played this for 6 hours, and I'm already seriously impressed. Almost every aspect of the game has sliders so you can tailor it to what you want. Houses are locked. Cars are locked. But you can slowly learn how to do everything. And if you can't get in a door, break a window (make sure to clear away the glass). The attention to detail and the realism is astounding. You have power to start with, but that will fade in a month, along with running water, because that's what would happen with nobody running things. But you can set that delay as high as you like (to the point it never turns off), or just turn it off right from game start if you feel that's the game you want to play. Do you want to cook? Better learn how (unless you started with some skill in cooking). And you need a pot. And a frying pan. Canned food? Need a can opener first. Want to chop wood? Better find a decent axe. No stone axe BS here. It seems like they've crafted every tiny detail about real life into the game, and it's only early access! I started with Strength, Firearms (I was a soldier IRL) and one other I can't think of right now. Then I picked Electrician for my profession (again, I am one IRL). These choices open up beginning of game skill bumps that let you do things somebody who made different choices won't have available. For example: I found a nice car that was open, but had no key. Because of my level in electrical, I was able to hotwire it! Now I have a vehicle. And yes, you can siphon gas from other vehicles. But you'd better have a jerry can or small gas jug to put in into. Vehicle driving is easy. WASD keys. And you can shift from first person to third person with the mouse wheel. Which is good. You need to be in 1st POV to start the car, since you have to look at the ignition. You have to look at your headlight controls to turn on your lights. It's very immersive. Crafting is also very well done. You have to build yourself a work bench, and then assemble components you need from scavenged materials to build things out of those componets. And scavenging makes sense as to what materials you get. You can pretty much break down anything you find. Another thing about crafting is you need specific tools for specific jobs. Makes sense, right? You need to find hammers, nails, screw drivers, pliers, vice grips, circular saws...you get the idea. It lends a huge impact to what you find in the world. Did you just find a hardware store?? (queue angelic music). Zombie combat is as easy or as hard as you want to make it. My zombies always walk. They're undead, rotting flesh. They don't move fast. But I also made it so you have to get a head shot to kill them. Easy enough with one or two, but twenty?? In close proximity?? Run Forest, run!!! Weapons are abundant. And unexpected. Ever fight a zombie with a spoon? Or a fork? How about a computer keyboard? Absolutely hilarious! Yeah, 6 hours in and I'm hooked. Great game! I can't wait to see what they add to it in the months to come. If you like Zombie survival with a ton of options and an immersive world, you can't go wrong with this one.