Undead Labs is hard at work on State of Decay 3 right now, but though the studio’s certainly got its eyes set on the zombie survival series’ future, it’s not done just yet with what’s come before. It’s been previously confirmed that State of Decay 2 will continue to receive content updates throughout 2022, and though the game’s newest update hasn’t added any new content per se, it’s still a significant one.
State of Decay 2’s newest update has brought about several noticeable changes, with the most significant one being the graphical overhauls implemented in the game’s three original maps- Maegher Valley, Drucker County, and Cascade Hills. This includes improvements to environmental details, draw distances, terrain, foliage, lighting, and much more.
Another major addition that comes with this new update is the introduction of an FoV slider. While the game’s field of view will be set to 70 degrees by default, players can set it anywhere between 40 and 100 degrees. Meanwhile, fences, windows, sign posts, and more can now be destroyed by heavy weapons, while various quality of life improvements have also been made.
You can check out three videos showing the graphical improvements made to the three maps below, as well as the full patch notes for the update.
State of Decay 2 is available on Xbox One and PC, and playable on Xbox Series X/S via backward compatibility. Meanwhile, State of Decay 3 is in the works for Xbox Series X/S and PC, but doesn’t yet have a release date.
UPDATE NOTES:
- The arid landscape of Drucker County is even more unique. Featuring red rocks, a dusty-yet-clear sky, and drier climate.
- Meagher Valley received new distant vistas, fresh terrain painting, and foliage updates. Look for deciduous trees along the river valley!
- Updated foliage, repainted terrain, and improved rocks are just the start of Cascade Hills’ graphical improvements.
- Players can now set their Field of View. Head to the settings menu to adjust.
- Heavy weapons now destroys fences. Swing away.
Graphical Overhaul
- We’ve added new vista elements to each map’s horizon. Look around in each map to take in the fresh views.
- Foliage and rocks have been replaced with updated versions. Tree and foliage placement has been adjusted to match the surroundings.
- Skies and nighttime lighting have been adjusted per map. Each map has a unique lighting model and feel. Nighttime brightness has been adjusted to meet Trumbull Valley and Providence Ridge standards.
- The terrain has been repainted for a more natural look.
Heavy Weapons Destroy Fences
- Any fence that can be broken by a vehicle can now be dismantled by a heavy melee weapon.
- Also impacted in the mayhem: Windows, Sign Posts, and a few more props.
- Note: Despite the name, the Open Range Pack’s Fencing Tool does not destroy fences.
Field of View
- Go to Settings > Video > Field of View to adjust.
- Field of View can be set to anywhere between 40 and 100 degrees, with 70 as the default value.
Quality of Life Improvements
Environment
- We fixed a small hole in the ground northwest of Jurassic Junction in Trumbull Valley
Gameplay
- The Echo Lab Research Station can once again produce 10 Plague Samples if your community has the Pathology skill, as it should.
- Gunslinging’s Aim Snap ability no longer removes spread on shotguns. The Aim Snap target will be hit, but the spread is now preserved.
- The host’s character will now fall when standing on top of a moving vehicle. Sorry to take car surfing away again.
- We fixed an issue where characters can be stuck in a state where they can’t move after briefly sprinting. This should no longer occur.
- Dismissing a follower while crouching no longer causes that AI character to crouch walk everywhere.
User Interface
- Red Talon and Network specific weapons now have small icons in the corner of their inventory squares to help identify them. Note: This iconography is not associated with a Bounty Pack.
- The Secken’s Work Station site has stopped its lying ways and no longer says it’s claimable.
Bases and Facilities
- Updated the Landmark Outpost menu to clarify initial vs ongoing resource cost presentation for Landmark Outpost Strategies.
- The Haven Device build description now calls out that the player will need to find the Haven Capsule in Trumbull Valley. (hint: Help Izzbee and Dr. Hoffmann.)
- Instead of constantly enabling and disabling, the “Packing the Bunk” passive now stays enabled in communities with 8 or more survivors.
Missions
- Refusing to help in “Marshall Stories: New in Town” now causes the mission to fail. That’s what you wanted, right? Jerks.
- In Heartland, dialogue no longer plays out of order during “Neighborhood Unrest” when Quincy is dead.
- The Still Life mission now tells you the name of the site where you should go.
Miscellaneous
- Advanced Toolkits can now sometimes be found in Plague Hearts on Lethal difficulty.