It can be a challenge to survive in State of Decay 2, but players can improve their chances by playing smart and remembering a few rules. The player is likely to have their hands full when keeping their community running, especially on higher difficulties. When additional challenges such as infestations, outpost missions, and killing plague hearts are piled on top of that, it can make State of Decay 2 rather difficult to beat, even with a full community of survivors at the player's disposal. However, the player always has a chance as long as their plans are sound.

It's a relief that State of Decay 2's support is continuing because it is one of the better zombie survival games available at the moment. The game places a particular emphasis on the survival aspect, and the player's main priority is their community rather than fighting the zombies themselves. Players are tasked with maintaining and upgrading their outpost, keeping it stocked with food and supplies as they steadily get rid of the Plague Hearts infesting the city. The game gets harder as the days go on, so players must be mindful at all times. However, survival is possible, and succeeding actually unlocks bonuses for later runs.

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Stealth Prevails Over Direct Combat in State of Decay 2

State of Decay 2's survivors are nothing like Resident Evil's Leon Kennedy. They're just normal people with little to no combat training, so combat should almost always be a last resort. While sometimes having to fight a zombie is inevitable, players shouldn't try to go guns blazing into a horde, because that will get them killed quickly. Instead, they should primarily use stealth kills and dodges to deal with zombies one at a time, while saving guns and explosives for Plague Hearts, freaks, and hostile survivors, only deviating in life-or-death situations. A high body count is less important than getting home alive.

Cars in State of Decay 2 Are a Necessity

Cars are absolutely vital to survival, especially after State of Decay 2's Trumbull Valley update cranked up the difficulty. However, cars must be maintained as carefully as anything else. Hitting zombies should be avoided when possible since too many hits will risk destroying the car altogether. In addition, while finding a car early is important, players should save gas in the opening days by only using the car for trips well outside of the player's base's neighborhood, at least until gas becomes more plentiful. In addition, players would be wise to stash a Toolkit and Gas Tank in the trunk to avoid being left stranded far from the base.

Good Survivors Can Make a State of Decay 2 Run More Convenient

Overall, the survivors themselves may be the biggest variable for the player's success. The best skills in State of Decay 2 can take a character from average to amazing. Skills like Lichenology, which provides 2 Meds per day, and Driving, which doubles fuel efficiency, are phenomenal even on an otherwise weak survivor. Players should take note of Survivor traits as well as skills, though. In general, traits that save resources or provide extra bonuses are very welcome. However, some traits can waste resources, or even bring down morale as a whole. With strategy and a little luck, a player can form a community that can survive anything.

State of Decay 2 is a tough game, even after players learn its intricacies. However, the feeling of beating a Juggernaut in State of Decay 2, or taking down a Plague Heart for the first time is immensely satisfying. Players just need to keep in mind that it's a survival game rather than an action game, and strategy is the key to success. By managing their community as well as their approach to each situation players will be able to catch on to the way the game works. By figuring out the guidelines for State of Decay 2, players may even be able to eventually survive Lethal runs.

State of Decay 2 is available now for PC and Xbox One.

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