Looting in SOD3 needs more seasoning 🧂
I've recently been consuming a good amount of alpha footage on SOD3 and I've seen a good amount of positive changes and updates compared to SOD2.
* Improved Graphics, Sound, Melee mechanics, more detailed customisation, more zombies in a single area, better animations etc.
But one of the biggest aspects I am finding myself concerned with; is the lack of immersion when looting/scavenging, as I think thats a massive part of what makes the world feel important and alive when traveling from A to B.
The same system of E.g. Open a door, walk to each room, and wait for a loot box icon to light up; feels outdated now and imo fits more in line with the looting mechanics of old battle royal games.
The current scavenging mechanic seems to be at it's best when the tension of a plague zone or the fear of possible character death fills in for the lack of stimulation.
I think scavenging could really benefit from
* I'd really like if Torch Light attracted Zombies, maybe adding that you can dim or face the torch downwards to the ground when attempting to sneak around at the cost of not being able to see as far.
* Adding more common weather events like Storms, Fog, Mist, Smoke that reduce visibility as that adds tension to the world, as it can also make traveling back through the same town you've already visited (but now in a different weather state) feel like you are experiencing the area in a new & unique way to the last time.
* Adding more unique ways to find items/ and or animations when picking through wrecked cars or cupboards to make the world have a bit more depth to it e.g. So it actually feels like you are scavenging through things rather than just opening another "generic" loot box that happens to come in a different shape.
* Adding more surprise elements to looting e.g more zombies hiding in places, making noise is more punishing and likely to attract a good amount of zombies. edit: Also random events like being ambushed by survivors, or a car alarm suddenly triggers while searching a wreck causing a horde to be attracted.
* Adding a mini-game to the "fast search" mechanic rather than just holding a button and hoping you don't get bad RNG edit: this mini game would only apply to fast searching and could be very simple e.g. you time a button press to stop a spinning hand inside a circle, and if you timed it correctly it lands in a highlight zone within the circle causing you to avoid triggering noise.
This mechanic would ideally take the same time as fast searching always has, and you either pass or fail it; meaning you don't get stuck on the same loot box trying it again & again stalling your play-through like other "mentioned" more annoying mini-games.
* Adding special types of loot boxes that are harder to open or require finding a key to a lock.
I think scavenging in State of Decay is one of the major "bread & butter" aspects of the game, which we also spend so much game time doing.
Which is why I believe adding some extra depth to the mechanic could really take the game to another level.