The new survival MMO Population Zero aims to impress with numerous features that make it unique. We spoke with the developers, and they revealed some interesting details during an interview.
What is Population Zero? Population Zero is a story-driven game that aims to combine the MMO and survival genres in a new way. When it was introduced in 2018, it already looked like No Man’s Sky as an MMO (before No Man’s Sky became an MMO itself with Next).
The futuristic sci-fi setting puts players in the role of a settler stranded on the planet Kepler-438b, where they must survive. Population Zero is supposed to remind players of the “Golden Age of Science Fiction”.
A beta for Population Zero started in September 2019. The game is set to be released for PC on Steam in May 2020 (on Steam, because according to the developers, it is the “most reliable and convenient distribution platform” – a little jab at Epic). It will be offered as Buy-to-Play for $29.99 according to the press release.
The features of Population Zero
What makes the game so special? The unique selling point of the game is, according to the developers, the “story-driven experience” that players will have during the game. Throughout the game, you will learn how you ended up on Kepler and what your task is.
The principle sounds similar to the journey of Conan Exiles, mixed with the flair of No Man’s Sky. However, in Population Zero, you will also receive quests from NPCs that further advance the narrative.
The second major feature is the game duration: a session will last seven Earth days (or 168 hours). This corresponds to one day on Kepler. You only have that long to protect yourself, as afterwards your DNA will be irreversibly altered, and you must start over. This is accompanied by a day-night cycle:
During this time, you must diligently gather resources, build a shelter, and fight to survive. Nights are said to be “incredibly dangerous”.
Battles and Deaths in Sci-Fi Survival
This is how battles work: Combat is an important aspect of the game, and the combat system has many facets. The developers revealed to us on this topic:
Our combat system is skill-based and focuses on strategic actions. We offer players a selection of handheld weapons from standard types like survival knives to intimidating ones like spears and battle hammers.
Colonists are capable fighters. They can perform offensive and defensive movements. Players can chain attacks into combos, execute aerial strikes, block, and dodge. While doing this, they should not forget to keep an eye on their stamina.
The combat system is also very important because you can join factions and wage war. It is therefore worthwhile to delve into it and become good at it.
What happens if I die? If you happen to bite the dust despite all your combat skills or if other colonists snuff you out, it is not too tragic. You will lose items, but not all and not always:
- You start in an instanced “Drop Zone,” where you learn the basics.
- Newbies drop fewer items upon death than veterans (measured by account level and skills).
- Basic gear and sets are less likely to drop upon death.
- The better the gear, the higher the likelihood that you will lose it.
There is also a system that protects those who die too often while penalizing players who intentionally kill others:
If a player dies too often, they will become an overpowering alien creature with only one life. This gives them the opportunity to cold-bloodedly take revenge on their killer. In the versus dynamics of Population Zero, it’s all about balance, choice, risk versus reward, and oh-so-sweet revenge.
What about PvE?
The importance of PvE features: In Population Zero, it’s not only about PvP combat but also about survival against the environment. This is not just an option but a necessity for progress:
Kepler is inhabited by various creatures: small and large, carnivorous and harmless. Some can be fought and killed alone, while others can only be done in groups with other colonists.
Because Population Zero is conceptually a survival game, beasts grant resources: meat satisfies hunger, teeth and bones are used to create weapons and armor, furs and skins are needed for clothing.
You will also receive perks (skills) for killing animals, which improve character stats. Powerful opponents, such as the Alpha Kvar, will demand everything from you – a kind of raid boss.
What about crafting and building? As explained earlier, you can craft weapons and armor from resources obtained from wild animals. However, you also need a campsite for protection and retreat.
Once your account reaches level 4, you can unlock the first of three possible tiers of the building mechanic. Since you play in sessions, your shelter primarily serves as protection and as a hideout from raiders and opponents.
You will likely not have time to build huge and wild bases like in Conan Exiles, but feel free to try. Just be aware that other colonists can destroy your camps. So, you need a good place to build.
What else does PvE offer: The all-encompassing story mentioned at the beginning is also part of the PvE content of Population Zero. However, it is not simply told to you; you must piece it together like a puzzle.
Additionally, you should explore the environment and find out what your original mission was and what secrets Kepler holds for you.
The developers promise future expansions and content patches that will introduce new side quests, lore, and NPCs.
3 reasons why you should play Population Zero
Why Population Zero is worth it: Lastly, we asked the developers for three reasons why you should take a look at their game. Here are the answers:
- Presentation and atmosphere: The environment plays with the golden age of science fiction, which should be reflected in graphics and music. “If you’re tired of super-down-to-earth realism with the same forests and dreary skies or zombie apocalypses, look no further; check out Population Zero.”
- The unique approach to the survival genre: “Population Zero combines the excitement of an exploratory journey, the unpredictability of survival games, the persistence of MMOs, the excitement of a session-based title, and the tension of a sci-fi thriller.” The game should appeal to survival purists, sci-fi fans, and players with a spirit of discovery alike.
- The one-week sessions: Due to the limited gameplay time, Population Zero has a sense of urgency and a “much-needed thrill.” Population Zero stands out with clear goals and victory conditions that you must fulfill in a short time. “By limiting their time, we give players limitless opportunities to tackle the dangers of Kepler.”
The interview was conducted for MeinMMO by Alexander Leitsch.
If you haven’t heard much about Population Zero so far, it’s not very surprising, as it seems to fly under the radar for many, just like some other games:
