How To Survive 2

Get it on sale then install the grindless mod from nexus mods that adds QOL and fixes

Unexpected Gem
Key features
Deep and complex crafting system,
Cool finish moves,
Unnecessary experience grind for skills and buildings
Lots of fun moments
Honestly, I didn't expect much from this game. I knew it was old and thought it would be a few days trip. Ha. Haha!
I ended up running in cities, collecting tinned food and moving heavy garbage containers. I had to hunt zombified animals in swamps and lure unique trophies into specific areas.
Days turned into nights, when more dangerous species attacked my so recklessly built camp, which led into another adventure (read - vacuuming all visible resources!) and extremely careful preparation for further defences.
I survived!
There were so many NPCs, sending my to find rare samples and their friends. Seemingly easy missions quickly turned into skills test (I played solo). I found out that multiple zombies could run and my melee attacks often were a bit slow. So I obtained some guns. The shooting noise, however, attracted more infected =/ And then there were quick zombified dogs, acid pelicans, bloody crocodiles! Nasty beings.
How to Survive 2 got me 80hrs+ and I mostly enjoyed it.
Few stupid mechanics annoyed the hell out of me e.g. inability to rotate camera - very often enemies are hidden by a wall or an object. Or my character would do a spinning melee attack instead of a straight hit and miss a zombie. Plus, when running, your character will do a parcour over a chair or car, instead of just "rubbing and running along it".
But generally, lots of positive vibes. Various quests, complex crafting for melee/range weapons AND enhancing medicaments. Moreover, there's a cooking system with more buffs and extra side-effects.
If you decide to try this game, it's very likely that you'll be grasped by it for many days.

Its okay, How to Survive 1 was pretty good in comparison, with the limitation in Coop of both players having to be on the same screen, however Welcome to ParadiZe is much better and recommend skipping this one and going directly to their newest release.

I get why alot of people dont like this, is has issues and is a bit bland, but I love it none the less, Ik we would never get a remake but I would love one

There is ONE major issue with both games in this series. It's an issue of saving.
You can only save in very specific locations and if you don't your progress is gone if the game ever turns off.

But apart from that, this is a fun arcadey zombie fighting crafting exploration game! Kovak is a fun guide so the tone never veers into self-serious (which dragged down games for me like Dying Light) and I was about to work out the U.I quick. even without an extensive tutorial. Graphics are great! Combos and killing moves are flashy and satisfying and there's a variety in locations and enemies and metric truckloads of stuff to collect and put together.

That one issue of saving holds back this game and the original. Otherwise, great great fun!

Kinda fun. good graphics, decent combat. open map to build and missions are instances.

How to Survive 2 is a top-down, action-RPG survival game developed by EKO Software and published by 505 Games. As the sequel to the cult hit How to Survive, this installment builds on its predecessor's foundation by introducing deeper crafting mechanics, a more fleshed-out progression system, and cooperative multiplayer functionality. Set in the zombie-ridden ruins of Louisiana, players are once again tasked with staying alive amid the chaos by scavenging for supplies, building shelters, and fending off the undead. The game’s tone mixes grim survival elements with a quirky sense of humor, primarily delivered through the returning character Kovac, whose eccentric survival guide videos serve both as tutorials and comic relief.
At its core, How to Survive 2 blends survival simulation with action-RPG progression. Players start out weak and ill-equipped, struggling to survive even basic encounters with zombies, but as they gather materials and complete missions, they gain access to an increasingly complex system of crafting, building, and skill development. The addition of a persistent base-building mechanic gives players a central hub to upgrade and customize, which significantly deepens the gameplay loop. You’re not just crafting weapons and armor—you’re also creating workbenches, food supplies, storage solutions, and defensive structures. This home base becomes critical not just for survival, but for long-term progression, adding a satisfying sense of ownership and investment to your efforts.
Combat in How to Survive 2 is straightforward but effective. Melee weapons, firearms, and throwable items give players a decent range of tools to deal with the undead, and the game encourages tactical play rather than brute force. Zombies vary in speed and toughness, and the game becomes particularly challenging at night or when hordes descend in numbers. Weapon durability and stamina management also play a role, forcing players to think before engaging. The RPG-style character progression system allows players to specialize in different builds—focusing on melee, ranged combat, crafting efficiency, or stealth—and this flexibility supports various playstyles whether you’re solo or in co-op.
Cooperative multiplayer is one of the most significant enhancements in How to Survive 2. The game supports up to 16 players online, although only four can actively play in the same instance at once. This opens up a new dynamic for resource management and base-building, as players can share labor, defend their base together, and strategize on how best to approach missions. While the multiplayer can be chaotic, it also adds longevity to the game, as players may coordinate over weeks to build their camp into a well-defended haven. However, the lack of matchmaking and reliance on manually joining sessions can be a hurdle, and the absence of tight narrative cohesion means that the experience lives and dies by how engaged your co-op group is.
The visual presentation in How to Survive 2 is serviceable but clearly budget-conscious. The top-down perspective is functional, and the environments—though repetitive—convey a convincing post-apocalyptic swamp and urban decay setting. Enemy models lack variety, and animations can feel stiff at times, especially during melee combat. However, the weather system, day/night cycle, and dynamic lighting effects add some atmosphere to the otherwise utilitarian visuals. The audio design, on the other hand, does its job well, with creepy ambient sounds, effective weapon audio, and the memorable voice of Kovac providing personality amidst the bleakness.
The game’s structure revolves around completing missions given by Kovac and other NPCs. These missions range from fetch quests and rescue operations to hunting, base defense, and exploration. The variety is welcome, though the mission design can sometimes become repetitive, especially in longer play sessions. Fortunately, the crafting and character development systems offer enough incentive to keep going, and the satisfaction of building a better camp or unlocking new gear offsets the sometimes grindy nature of progression. There's also a decent amount of challenge here—players who neglect preparation or wander too far into high-level zones will quickly find themselves overwhelmed.
Despite its improvements over the first game, How to Survive 2 is not without flaws. The UI is clunky, especially on PC, and managing inventory or building structures can be tedious without hotkeys or streamlined menus. There’s also limited storytelling beyond the comedic interludes from Kovac, so players looking for a strong narrative thread may find the experience too directionless. Additionally, while the crafting system is deep, it can become overwhelming due to a lack of clear guidance, particularly for new players unfamiliar with survival game conventions. There is a tutorial system, but it often glosses over key mechanics that players must discover through trial and error.
In summary, How to Survive 2 is a solid and enjoyable survival RPG that offers a satisfying blend of crafting, combat, and co-op gameplay. While its production values may not rival AAA titles, the game compensates with meaningful progression systems, flexible character builds, and a sandbox-style experience that rewards planning and cooperation. It's a title that thrives when played with friends and appeals to fans of zombie survival scenarios who enjoy base-building and resource management. Though rough around the edges, its depth and replayability make it a worthy successor to the original and a strong entry in the survival genre for players willing to invest the time to master its systems.
Rating: 6/10