7 Days to Die

7 Days to Die is a survival game by The Fun Pimps set in an open world overrun by zombies. Survivors gather food and equipment, build a safe shelter and fend off increasingly dangerous attacks.

The mix combines first-person combat, exploration, crafting and role-playing progression. Houses can be searched, remodeled or completely destroyed. Alone or together with others, you create your own survival story.

7 Days to Die launched in early access on PC on Dec 13, 2013. The full version was released for PC on July 25, 2024. On the same day, standalone versions for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S hit the market.

PlayStation 4 and Xbox One already had standalone console versions from June 28, 2016. These older editions differ significantly from the versions released in 2024.

7 Days to Die is available on Windows PC and for macOS and Linux. The modern console versions run natively on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. Separate releases from 2016 exist for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.

The PS4 and Xbox One versions belong to an older stage of development. If you expect content, save games or features from the newer versions, don't confuse these products. Backward compatibility doesn't replace a native version switch.

In 7 Days to Die, survival begins with simple tools, foraging for food and a protected place to sleep. Supplies can be found in abandoned houses and industrial buildings, while zombies pose a constant danger when looting.

Weapons, tools, clothing and medical items are made from collected materials. Firearms help in direct fights but make noise and use up ammo. Melee combat, sneaking and skilful retreat therefore remain important alternatives.

7 Days to Die has various platform-dependent add-ons alongside its main game. These must be distinguished from the standalone console versions and their release states.

The current game systems of the PC, PS5 and Xbox Series versions are based on the newer development of the game. Cosmetic add-ons from the original PS4 and Xbox One versions are not automatically included in the 2024 releases.

For the Windows version, Steam lists at least a quad-core processor at 2.8 GHz, 8 GB RAM, a graphics card with 2 GB of dedicated memory, DirectX 11 and 15 GB of free disk space. Windows 10 64-bit is intended.

Recommended: a quad-core processor at 3.2 GHz, 12 GB RAM and a graphics card with 4 GB of dedicated memory. The game also supports macOS and Linux, which have separate requirements.

Especially large zombie hordes attack regularly. At the standard game pace, a blood moon night threatens every seven in-game days, when an improvised shelter quickly reaches its limits.

Players therefore prepare defense lines, escape routes and supplies. Walls, doors, spike traps and other obstacles must withstand attacks. The threat adds recurring time pressure to the otherwise open survival game.

Buildings can be built from individual parts and reinforced with higher material quality. From a makeshift, partly secured house to a fortified compound with power supply, traps and guard towers, a lot is possible.

Building parts must be physically supported. If load-bearing elements are destroyed, structures can collapse. That's why defense depends not only on wall strength but also on architecture.

The survival world includes the pre-made Navezgane region and randomly generated maps. Different landscapes and settlements change where water, resources and valuable loot can be found.

Deserts, forests and other biomes place their own demands on your equipment. Buildings, traders and more dangerous areas lure you on further exploration trips with better materials.

The character improves their skills through traits, specializations and newly learned crafting recipes. This opens up more ways to upgrade weapons, use tools more efficiently and improve your survival base.

Traders offer quests and goods. By taking on missions and opening up new areas, you can get equipment without having to craft every item yourself.

7 Days to Die can be played alone or with others over a network. Together, survivors can gather resources, divide up tasks and build a fortified base. On PC, there are also multiplayer matches with opposing players.

The original PS4 version offered local split-screen and online multiplayer. The modern PS5 and Xbox Series versions have their own multiplayer rules and should not be equated with the 2016 releases in terms of local player count.

As the game goes on, faster vehicles replace the early journeys on foot. With wheels and motorized vehicles, you can reach more distant buildings, traders and biomes.

Before a long trip, it's worth planning for fuel, tools and storage space. Distances remain important in the survival game, even if better vehicles make exploration easier.