We all have all you need to know about H1Z1 right here! And a new trailer, too!
I’m fat, so you can understand why I prefer shambling flesh starved walkers to some undead Usain Bolt clone -- really, all I want is a sporting chance.
In video games, which are different than real life, that preference remains (as it does in movies and TV shows -- looking right the hell at you, Zack Snyder). Though Left 4 Dead 2’s Nick is my spirit animal, I can’t abide the 5-Hour Energy addicted zombies. Give me Dead Rising and whatever piece of overlong cutlery I manage to find at Ripper’s Blades. Let me walk atop the shoulders of the assembled biters as they shuffle into each other, delighting as they whiff while reaching for me. Without comedy, life is tragedy, no?
With this bias you can imagine my disappointment when, earlier today, I saw a sprinty (I’ve run out of zombie synonyms) un-dead individual (see?) scamper across the screen during the gameplay trailer for Sony’s new free-to-play open world PC MMO, H1Z1, but after reading about some of the game’s features, I may be willing to let this one slide.
Check out the gameplay trailer:
My idea of the perfect game is, essentially, Grand Theft Auto with zombies and a dash of Fallout. Huge open world, lots of NPCs and characters that you can interact with and team up with, and lots of weapons. With H1Z1, it seems as if Sony is trying to do that (as has DayZ, which also seems to have a more diverse map) while also adding an interesting facet to the proceedings that should let it stand apart, because with the use of their crafting system, you can both tear down structures and build fortresses with a lasting impact on the game world architecture. In other words, you can leave your mark on the game and also, clearly, dominate it.
In addition to the post-apocalyptic warlord RPG aspect of the thing, you can also build your own weapons (which isn’t exactly novel) and, according to Sony’s Stephanie Thoensen, (via her statements to IGN), zombie’s will be powered by “emergent AI”, so basically they’re going to be speedy wild cards… splendid.
So, this all sounds too good, doesn’t it? Surely the microtransactions will derail the land of milk and honey (and rotting flesh) that I’ve just detailed for you, right? Maybe not. Yes, microtransactions will be a large part of the festivities because Sony needs the money (they’ve gots to get the money!), but it doesn’t seem like it will be ridiculous.
Here’s an excerpt from a GameSpot article about the fairness of the microtransaction structure.
“Among the things that will be sold for real-world money are advanced emote packs (basic emotes will be free), item crates, and character slots [...]
What will definitely not be sold are things like guns, ammo, food, and water, nor boosts related to any of those things.”
Having to buy guns, ammo, and assorted other bits is one thing that really took me out of a game like Dead Island(though that was a bit different), so it’s pleasing to hear that H1Z1 won’t repeat that same mistake.
The game will also feature a day/night cycle, a crafting system, and fully destructible environments.
So, excited? As for when H1Z1 will dawn, that’s anybody’s guess, though mere weeks separate you from early access to the game while in development via Steam Early Access, so you got that going for you.
As always, keep your eyes fixed on Den of Geek US for further updates on H1Z1 and other playable things.
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