“A zombie outbreak (referred to as Zeek’s in the game) has wiped out civilisation as we know it, and now it is up to you and your fellow humans to restore the human race to its rightful place at the top of the food chain. HumanitZ, by publisher indie.io and developer “Yodubzz Studios”, is quoted on its store page as an “Isometric, open world survival game in a world engulfed by a Zombie outbreak”. 

As a survival game enthusiast, I was excited when this game was sent across. As the developer draws closer to early access, their update schedule makes it clear they have been working hard, and I am excited to see how far I can go in the open post-apocalyptic world.

What I love about HumanitZ is that you face numerous decisions immediately before the game begins. You start by choosing an occupation for your character on the creation screen. Want to be an unemployed civilian to receive a 25% more experience buff in the world, or perhaps a thief, so alarms don’t trigger, and you have deeper pockets to store all your loot in. In all, twelve different professions can be chosen.

Then you have to choose from 18 different afflictions, such as poor circulation, which makes you get colder more quickly. A bad back, which will result in a 25% weight reduction, what will be your crutch in the game? Happy with your character? Now you have six different difficulty levels, from rookie to nightmare, each with its own challenges that are spelled out on the selection screen.

Now you have a choice of morality that will affect your gameplay: do you live off the land in a relatively peaceful life, fishing, farming, hunting, building, and crafting in the relatively safe starter areas, or do you push into the major cities, airports, and warehouses and look for the loot that will make your life that much easier and automated? Who doesn’t want a shiny chainsaw instead of a hand axe? However, the hoards will be out in force; it is the old risk-versus-reward adage.

Don’t skip the tutorial either, it’s a must , teaching you how to adjust camera angles ( isometric 30 up to 70 degrees of angle for those that struggle with the angle), learning basic movement, combat, and even how to fix a car and add some “Mad Max” type upgrades, which I was not expecting.

Fixing vehicles is a great way to get around the map quickly and safely, and also has the benefit of being a good place to store your loot as well. They can take a lot of upkeep, though batteries, fan belts, starter engines, fuel pumps, and tires all need regular maintenance. There is also an advanced lockpick system that comes in handy when trying to use stealth mode to keep the Zeekers from hearing you sneaking around.

Similar to most zombie survival games, the goal is to survive and thrive, looting the world and setting up a base that protects you from the outside. The developer even has a screenshot section for survivors to post their bases. With the tools provided, players have some great building blocks to create whatever they can imagine in the building space. Do you take over an existing structure, or create your own fortress on a mountain top as a sign of prosperity?

After you have completed the tutorial, players can choose between two game modes: survival mode or a scenario-based system with set missions to complete. Don’t forget, as with all survival games, you have to manage your health, hunger, thirst, and stamina by searching for food or even cooking/crafting to ensure you have a full stomach for longer. Your tiredness will affect your stamina and movement, so it is critical to manage it through regular rest and proper food management.

There are numerous fellow survivors in the form of NPC’s around the map, you can trade and interact with. A memory flashes back from the tutorial at the start, clearly stating “ Don’t trust anyone”, a lesson I would soon learn. I won’t spoil it for you, but always stay on guard. Another handy hint is to always pick your fights with the Zeekers, as there are many variations.  Some will be wearing a Police uniform; they will have higher HP and armour.

Larger Zeekers will take more to kill. Bio suits. Expect a surprise during the battle; there are a lot of different variations. The more noise you make, the more Zeekers will come and start hoarding to try to overwhelm you.

At the start of the game, this can be a hard battle to overcome, but as you progress and start to acquire some of the numerous weapons in the game, you will be slaying Zeeker hordes before you know it.

​The graphics are very detailed, as you would expect from a title built on Unreal Engine. Changing clothes you find along the way will change your appearance and affect your body heat, depending on what you are wearing.  There is a nice weather system as you navigate the world from fog to thunderstorms and everything in between. There is plenty of rubbish and debris on the streets, derelict houses, and points of interest; you can tell a lot of effort has gone into the world.

When you enter a building, the developers have a great system that quickly removes the roof, giving you clear visuals inside. As you go up or down the levels, it also quickly adjusts, giving you smooth access the whole time. Even the small touches: every time you go into your backpack, your character puts it down in front of them and opens it. Eating and drinking are the same; you see the physicalised item and the action. It is the small touches that really separate this game from others that have failed.

The world feels alive with the sounds in this game; you can hear birds chirping and animals moving around. Your footsteps, opening cupboards, fires burning, windows smashing, it’s all there; the developer has really put in a lot of time on the ambience to enhance the game’s feel, not just an afterthought. The only downside for me is the background music; I found it dull, so I actually turned it off.

Overall, Humanitz takes an existing, well-established genre and sets a new benchmark. If you are a fan of titles such as “Rust” and “7 Days to Die,” to name a few, this game is for you. Don’t let the isometric view put you off; you will soon get used to it.  The complex crafting, base building, farming, and survival system all come together to create a must-play game of 2026; you will not be disappointed with this gem! Whether you are playing with friends in a co-op game and splitting the tasks to thrive or surviving alone, there are hours of enjoyment. This game will remain on my hard drive for a long time. 

Written by: Mike Bridge