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How to Survive

Wii U, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PC (Microsoft Windows) • 2014

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Quick resume

“A real Gem” – Destructoid at E3 “Offers a different experience for zombie game veterans” – Co-Optimus“Has a lot more going for it than smashing brains and gory, red goo ... With a surprisingly deep crafting system” – GamesRadarYou're shipwrecked on an isolated island, a desperate castaway in a total freakshow world. How will you survive?

Global score

83/100

Genres

Action, Adventure, Role-playing (RPG), Tactical, Arcade

Pros

  • Engaging crafting system
  • Fun cooperative gameplay
  • Varied weapons and enemies
  • Humorous survival guides
  • Good value on sale

Cons

  • Short and repetitive story mode
  • Limited inventory space
  • Camera issues in co-op
  • Some bugs and crashes
  • Lack of deeper character customization

Motivations

  • Autonomy
    4

    "Players can choose among multiple characters with unique skills and freely craft various weapons and items from found materials, allowing personal control over playstyle."

  • Competence
    3

    "Game involves skillful combat, crafting, and resource management with increasing difficulty and challenge modes, but some repetitive quests and limited skill trees moderate the challenge."

  • Competition
    -3

    "Focus is mainly on solo or cooperative play with friends rather than competitive ranked modes or leaderboards."

  • Continuation
    2

    "Players report engaging gameplay with some replayability via challenges and DLC, though some find the story mode short and repetitive."

  • Cooperation
    4

    "Supports 2-player local and online co-op modes with cooperative gameplay emphasized, though some camera and inventory sharing issues noted."

  • Creativity
    4

    "Extensive crafting system allows combining many found items into weapons, armor, and consumables, encouraging experimentation and creativity."

  • Domination
    -4

    "Gameplay emphasizes cooperative survival and shared objectives rather than dominating or exerting power over other players."

  • Escapism
    3

    "Players enjoy escaping into a zombie survival scenario with humor and engaging mechanics, providing distraction and fun."

  • Expectation
    -4

    "Players engage voluntarily for fun and interest, often waiting for sales to purchase; no indication of obligation or pressure."

  • Experimenting
    4

    "Encouraged to try different crafting recipes and weapon combinations; exploration and experimentation are core gameplay elements."

  • Exploration
    3

    "Players explore multiple islands with varied environments, uncovering recipes, quests, and secrets, though maps are somewhat linear."

  • Expression
    2

    "Character choice and some customization via skill trees exist, but limited cosmetic personalization reported."

  • Fantasy
    3

    "Zombie apocalypse setting with exaggerated enemies and humorous elements provides imaginative fiction experience."

  • Fellowship
    3

    "Community and cooperative play foster social connection, though some players prefer solo play."

  • Growth
    3

    "Character progression through experience and skill trees, plus learning crafting recipes, supports personal development."

  • Health
    -4

    "Game is sedentary with no physical activity; players manage character's health but no real-world physical engagement."

  • Idle
    -3

    "Requires active attention to combat, resource management, and crafting; not suited for background or idle play."

  • Intimacy
    -3

    "Social interaction limited to cooperative gameplay; no evidence of forming close emotional relationships."

  • Leadership
    -2

    "No explicit leadership roles; cooperative play involves shared decision-making without dominant authority."

  • Progression
    4

    "Players accumulate items, weapons, and upgrades through crafting and leveling, driving forward progression."

  • Relaxation
    1

    "Some players find the game relaxing and fun, but survival pressures and combat can create tension."

  • Sensation
    2

    "Visual gore, sound effects, and combat animations provide sensory stimulation and excitement."

  • Status
    -4

    "No social status or ranking systems; achievements and recognition are mostly individual and low-profile."

  • Story
    1

    "Story is simple and mostly a vehicle for quests; some humorous narrative elements but limited depth."

  • Strategy
    3

    "Players must plan resource use, crafting, and combat tactics; higher difficulties require more strategic thinking."

  • Thrill
    2

    "Nighttime threats and survival mechanics add suspense and occasional tension, though some find it manageable."

  • Value
    4

    "Frequently praised for good value especially when purchased on sale; provides many hours of entertainment."

  • Violence
    4

    "Enjoyable combat with various weapons and gore effects; killing zombies is a core fun element."

  • Survival
    3

    "Players must manage hunger, thirst, fatigue, and health while combating threats, embodying survival gameplay."

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    Last update: 06/03/2026