Game Modes - Project Zomboid Guide - IGN (2024)

One of the best things about Project Zomboid is the wide variety of Challenges and Game Modes that it has on offer. Whether you're looking for a grueling survival challenge or a more adventure-oriented experience, there'll be a setting to suit you.

Here, we'll be breaking down the different Game Modes in Project Zomboid, also known as Playstyles, going over what each one entails and who it's best suited to. Use the links below to hop to a particular section if you need, or keep reading for a full guide.

• Apocalypse
• Survivor
• Builder
• Custom Sandbox

If you find yourself torn between the Playstyles, make sure to check out our guides to the Best Mods and Installing Mods. Mods can make this game even better, adding new levels of depth to an already intricate game.

Apocalypse

If you're playing Project Zomboid for the first time but you've had some experience with zombie games and survival content, this is the best Playstyle to pick at first.

Apocalypse is a standard survival mode that places a big focus on stealth and strategy. Your character will be incredibly squishy in this mode, meaning it won't take many hits for a zombie to take you down and end your run.

When starting an Apocalypse run for the first time, it's important to take stock of your surroundings and find the following items quickly:

• Painkillers or healing items
• Extra clothing
• A sturdy melee weapon

Other items like food and more intricate weapons can be found while you're on the run, but you'll usually spawn in a location with at least one or two healing items, so it's important to scout around. Remember to close curtains and crouch as you go – your lifespan is significantly shorter in this Game Mode.

Survivor

If you're a fan of action and survival games, Survivor is the perfect mode for you. It's less of a stealth mode and more of a combat experience, giving you a stronger player character but tougher enemies to take down.

As noted in the Playstyle description, Survivor is based on Project Zomboid's initial Survival Game Mode, so it's the perfect pick for experienced players, too.

If you've not played the game beforehand, it's worth experimenting with Apocalypse and Builder before getting involved with Survivor. This will help you get to know the game controls and important mechanics before you end up in your first fight.

Make sure to think about your Traits and Occupation wisely when kickstarting a Survivor playthrough. Picking a tankier Occupation like a Fire Officer can help you gain an advantage here. The Inconspicuous Trait can be helpful, too.

Builder

Builder is the ideal Playstyle if you're not a fan of high-energy gameplay. There are still challenges in this mode, but it's much less intense than Apocalypse and Survivor, giving you time to focus on elements like building and farming.

Starting a Builder playthrough is a great way to get to know the different maps on offer, too. There are different spawn locations that you'll be able to pick from when starting a Project Zomboid playthrough, and Builder gives you time to explore each map thoroughly.

Picking Occupations like Farmer, Fisherman, and Lumberjack can be very beneficial when setting up a Builder playthrough.

Custom Sandbox

As mentioned, Project Zomboid is a game that gives players a lot of autonomy and freedom in how they want to play. Custom Sandbox is the perfect example of this – it gives you space to create your own tailored experience.

There are several sliders and categories that you can adjust when setting up a Custom Sandbox playthrough. These include:

• Population
• Time
• World
• Nature
• AI
• Meta (referring to randomly generated spawns, like vehicles)
• Loot rarity
• Character
• Map
• Vehicles
• Complete zombie customization

The zombie customization options are particularly impressive. The game will set you up with standard, speedy zombies that can infect you within about 2 to 3 days, but it gives you the option to change everything from their run speed to their tendency to play dead.

You can make a Custom Sandbox run as easy or as difficult as you choose. If you're looking for the most grueling experience possible, you can turn all the dials up to 11 and create a genuinely unnerving survival experience.

Equally, it's possible to create a much more laid-back experience by messing with the customization options here – you can even remove the zombies from the game if you so desire.