HumanitZ - Review

Intro to Survival: Where Humanity Clashes with the Undead

HumanitZ is one of those games that piqued my interest the moment I saw its description: a co-op, open-world survival game set in a world ravaged by zombies. I’ve been a fan of the genre for years, from DayZ to Project Zomboid, so I was eager to see where this new title would sit on the spectrum. With its mix of isometric visuals, open-world design, and survival elements, HumanitZ seems to aim for something special. After spending hours scavenging, fighting, and trying (unsuccessfully) to keep my car intact, I’ve come to the conclusion that while the game shows immense promise, it's definitely still cooking in the Early Access oven.

Let's take a look at what works, what needs fixing, and why HumanitZ is still worth keeping an eye on, even if you need a little patience to fully appreciate it.

A Not-So-Polished Start

Starting out in HumanitZ felt like an unexpected mix of satisfaction and confusion. If you’ve ever fumbled through the early hours of Project Zomboid or the chaotic systems of DayZ, you’ll be familiar with the feeling. The controls? Clunky. Aiming? More of a suggestion than an actual mechanic. And don't even get me started on the combat, which somehow manages to feel both too slow and frustratingly inaccurate. It wasn’t just the usual learning curve that comes with a new game—it felt more like the game was fighting me at times.

But it wasn’t all bad. Despite the janky start, the atmosphere grabbed me. The gritty, bleak environment had a real sense of immersion. You’re in a world where survival means being scrappy, and the game does a good job of reminding you of that with its limited resources and ever-present zombie threat.

However, there were a few moments where I just had to laugh—like when an NPC I tried to save from a zombie horde ended up shooting me in the face after I accidentally grazed him with my machete. Let’s just say the AI could use some lessons in gratitude.

Crafting and Combat: Satisfying, But Could Use a Tune-Up

One of HumanitZ’s shining aspects is the crafting system. I didn’t feel overwhelmed with menus or pointless items; instead, there was a perfect balance of "I need this to survive" urgency without it becoming a second job. Building rain catchers, fortifying buildings, and putting together makeshift tools felt necessary but not cumbersome. I appreciated that crafting didn’t dominate the experience. It fits right into that survival groove—important, but not overly complicated.

Combat, on the other hand, is a mixed bag. When it works, it feels pretty good. Smashing a zombie’s head with a bat or taking down a group of them with careful planning is satisfying. But the keyword here is "when." The physics and hitboxes could use a little love—there were definitely moments where I swung at a zombie’s head and... missed? But in the moments where it does work, there's a nice tension in figuring out how to approach a group of zombies—do you go in guns blazing or try to sneak past? It’s these strategic moments that show the game’s potential, even if the execution still needs fine-tuning.

Multiplayer Madness: Fun, With a Side of Bugs

Playing HumanitZ solo is a decent experience, but the game really shines when you bring friends into the mix. The cooperative gameplay adds another layer of strategy, as you can cover each other during looting runs, split up tasks, and work together to build up your base. There’s something very satisfying about coordinating an escape or setting up a perfect ambush for a group of zombies with your buddies.

That said, multiplayer isn’t without its bugs. During one session, a friend of mine got stuck in some bizarre purgatory where he couldn’t move, fight, or interact with anything. It was like the game put him in a virtual straitjacket. Needless to say, we were laughing and groaning in equal measure. If you’ve ever dealt with Early Access jank, you’ll know exactly what I mean.

But despite these hiccups, playing with friends is still a blast. Just be prepared for some unpredictable moments—some of which you’ll laugh about later, and some that might make you rage quit for the night.

A World with Potential (But a Lot of Gray)

Visually, HumanitZ doesn’t push the envelope, but it doesn’t need to. It nails that gritty, post-apocalyptic vibe pretty well, even if the map starts to feel repetitive after a while. The world is vast, sure, but after exploring for a few hours, I started noticing a lot of "samey" environments. Houses that look nearly identical, repetitive layouts, and a whole lot of gray. I get it—zombies love drab color palettes—but it wouldn’t hurt for the world to have a bit more character in its locations.

And while we’re on the subject of the world, I think a few quality-of-life updates could really help with inventory management. If you’re like me and spend way too long organizing your backpack, only to find that moving a weapon out of your hotbar strips all the ammo from it, you’ll know my pain. A simple "sort by" option would be a dream come true. Little tweaks like that could go a long way in making the game less of a struggle and more enjoyable to play.

AI Needs a Rethink, But the Future Looks Bright

Speaking of struggles, the AI in HumanitZ could use a serious overhaul. Whether it’s NPCs shooting you for no reason or zombies landing hits when they’re clearly not close enough, it feels like the AI just doesn’t behave the way it should. At times, it feels like the zombies have heat-seeking abilities, and your friendly NPCs? Not exactly the sharpest tools in the shed. That said, the developers seem responsive, and I’ve already seen patches that address some early concerns, so there’s hope for improvement.

In the end, HumanitZ is a game with tons of potential. It’s got a solid foundation in terms of survival mechanics, crafting, and atmosphere, but the clunky controls, repetitive environments, and frustrating AI hold it back from being truly great—at least for now. The good news is that the game is still in Early Access, and the developers seem committed to refining the experience.

Final Thoughts: A Work in Progress Worth Keeping an Eye On

So, should you jump into HumanitZ right now? If you’re a hardcore fan of survival games and don’t mind a bit of Early Access jank, I’d say go for it—especially if you’ve got a group of friends to play with. It’s fun, challenging, and offers a lot of depth for those who enjoy crafting and base-building.

However, if you’re the kind of person who prefers a polished experience, it might be worth waiting a bit. The game is good, but it’s not quite there yet. With a few more updates, some polish on the AI, and a bit more variety in the world design, HumanitZ could become a standout in the zombie survival genre.

In the meantime, I’ll be scavenging for ammo, dodging NPCs, and waiting for the next patch.