Just Survive

Just Survive is a now-defunct survival massively multiplayer online game set in a rural United States during a zombie apocalypse. Originally launched as H1Z1 in 2015, players scavenged resources, crafted tools, built shelters, and cooperated to withstand zombie hordes and hostile wildlife. With a focus on multiplayer teamwork over PvP combat, the game emphasized fortification, trading, and strategy. Despite selling over a million copies in Early Access, it was delisted in 2018 and its servers shut down.

Just Survive: Review

In the annals of video game history, few titles have sparked as much controversy and debate as Just Survive. Originally released as H1Z1: Just Survive in early 2015, this massively multiplayer online survival game promised a unique blend of cooperative gameplay and intense survival mechanics set against the backdrop of a zombie apocalypse. However, its tumultuous development history, technical issues, and eventual shutdown in 2018 have left a complex legacy. This review aims to dissect the various facets of Just Survive, providing an in-depth analysis of its development, gameplay, world-building, reception, and lasting impact.

Introduction

Just Survive was a bold attempt by Daybreak Game Company to capture the zeitgeist of the survival genre, which was gaining traction with titles like DayZ and The Forest. The game’s premise was simple yet compelling: survive in a post-apocalyptic world overrun by zombies, where cooperation and resourcefulness were key to staying alive. However, the game’s journey from its early access release to its eventual shutdown was fraught with challenges, making it a fascinating case study in the evolution of the survival genre.

The thesis of this review is that Just Survive was a game of immense potential, hampered by technical issues and a lack of sustained support. Despite its flaws, it offered a unique vision of cooperative survival that, with more polish and dedication, could have been a standout title in the genre.

Development History & Context

The Studio

Daybreak Game Company, formerly known as Sony Online Entertainment, was a studio with a rich history in the MMO genre. They were responsible for iconic titles like EverQuest, PlanetSide, and DC Universe Online. When they announced H1Z1 in 2014, it was clear that they were aiming to capitalize on the growing popularity of survival games.

The Creators’ Vision

The creators of Just Survive envisioned a game that emphasized multiplayer cooperation, trading, and team-building. In an interview with Adam Clegg from Sony Online Entertainment, it was clear that the focus would be on surviving against zombies through teamwork, rather than a traditional player-versus-player (PvP) environment. This vision was a departure from other survival games of the time, which often relied heavily on PvP mechanics.

Technological Constraints

Just Survive was developed using the ForgeLight engine, the same engine that powered PlanetSide 2 and EverQuest Next. While this engine provided a solid foundation for large-scale multiplayer experiences, it also came with its own set of limitations. The game suffered from several technical issues at launch, including server crashes and bugs that negatively impacted the overall experience.

The Gaming Landscape

The gaming landscape in 2015 was dominated by the rise of the survival genre. Games like DayZ and The Forest had already established a dedicated fanbase, and Just Survive was poised to compete in this crowded market. However, the game’s early access release strategy, coupled with its technical issues, made it an uphill battle from the start.

Narrative & Thematic Deep Dive

Plot

Just Survive is set in a rural area of the United States during a zombie apocalypse. The game does not have a traditional narrative with a clear beginning, middle, and end. Instead, it focuses on the day-to-day survival of the characters in a post-apocalyptic world. The lack of a structured narrative allowed players to create their own stories and experiences within the game world.

Characters

The game features a gender-selectable protagonist, allowing players to customize their character’s appearance and gender. However, the game does not delve deeply into character development or backstory. Instead, it focuses on the survival aspects of the game, leaving character development up to the player.

Dialogue

Dialogue in Just Survive is minimal and serves primarily to convey essential information. The game’s emphasis is on survival and cooperation, rather than storytelling. This minimalist approach to dialogue is a double-edged sword, as it allows for more immersive gameplay but can also make the game feel sterile and lacking in depth.

Themes

The primary themes of Just Survive revolve around survival, cooperation, and the struggle for resources in a post-apocalyptic world. The game explores the idea of community and the importance of working together to survive in a harsh environment. It also touches on the darker aspects of human nature, as players must often make difficult choices to ensure their survival.

Gameplay Mechanics & Systems

Core Gameplay Loops

The core gameplay loop of Just Survive revolves around scavenging, crafting, and building. Players must scavenge for resources, craft items, and build shelters to defend against the zombie horde. The game also features a robust crafting system that allows players to create a wide variety of items, from weapons and tools to vehicles and structures.

Combat

Combat in Just Survive is straightforward but effective. Players can use a variety of weapons, from melee weapons like knives and axes to ranged weapons like guns and bows. The game also features a first-person perspective, which adds a layer of immersion to the combat experience.

Character Progression

Unlike many other survival games, Just Survive does not feature a traditional character progression system. There are no experience points or skill trees. Instead, the game focuses on the acquisition and management of resources. This lack of progression can be a double-edged sword, as it allows for a more realistic survival experience but can also make the game feel repetitive over time.

User Interface

The user interface of Just Survive is functional but not particularly innovative. It provides all the necessary information, such as health, hunger, and thirst, but it can sometimes feel cluttered and overwhelming. The game’s minimalist approach to storytelling extends to its UI, which is designed to be as unobtrusive as possible.

Innovative or Flawed Systems

One of the most innovative aspects of Just Survive is its focus on multiplayer cooperation. The game encourages players to work together to survive, rather than engaging in PvP combat. However, this focus on cooperation can also be a flaw, as it can lead to a lack of meaningful conflict and progression.

World-Building, Art & Sound

Setting

The setting of Just Survive is a rural area of the United States, overrun by zombies. The game world is vast and open, with a variety of environments to explore, from dense forests to sprawling cities. The game’s art direction is realistic and gritty, reflecting the harsh realities of a post-apocalyptic world.

Atmosphere

The atmosphere of Just Survive is dark and foreboding. The game’s sound design plays a crucial role in creating this atmosphere, with the constant sound of zombie moans and the crunch of footsteps on gravel. The game’s visuals are also impressive, with a high level of detail and realism.

Visual Direction

The visual direction of Just Survive is consistent with its realistic and gritty theme. The game’s art style is grounded in reality, with a focus on detail and authenticity. This visual direction is complemented by the game’s sound design, which adds to the overall immersive experience.

Sound Design

The sound design of Just Survive is one of its strongest assets. The game’s use of ambient sounds, such as the wind rustling through trees and the distant sound of zombie moans, creates a sense of immersion and tension. The game’s sound effects are also top-notch, with a high level of detail and realism.

Reception & Legacy

Critical & Commercial Reception

Just Survive received mixed reviews upon its release. Critics praised the game’s focus on cooperation and its realistic survival mechanics, but they also noted its technical issues and lack of meaningful progression. The game sold over a million copies within two months of its release, but it struggled to maintain its player base due to its technical problems and lack of updates.

Evolution of Reputation

Over time, Just Survive‘s reputation has evolved. Many players look back on the game with nostalgia, remembering the unique experiences and community it fostered. However, the game’s technical issues and lack of sustained support have also left a bitter taste for some players.

Influence on Subsequent Games

Just Survive had a significant influence on the survival genre. Its focus on cooperation and realistic survival mechanics paved the way for other games in the genre, such as ARK: Survival Evolved and Rust. The game’s emphasis on community and team-building also had a lasting impact on the genre, as more games began to incorporate these elements into their design.

Conclusion

Just Survive was a game of immense potential, hampered by technical issues and a lack of sustained support. Despite its flaws, it offered a unique vision of cooperative survival that, with more polish and dedication, could have been a standout title in the genre. Its legacy lives on in the games that followed, and it remains a fascinating case study in the evolution of the survival genre. In the annals of video game history, Just Survive will be remembered as a bold attempt to capture the zeitgeist of the survival genre, and a testament to the power of community and cooperation in gaming.