If you’ve ever felt that vanilla 7 Days to Die needed more depth, more danger, and more reasons to panic, you’re not alone. The modding community has produced some incredible overhauls over the years, but today we’re diving into one that truly lives up to the name: Project Z.
We recently jumped onto a fresh server with the Project Z modpack (version 2.3) to see what it’s all about, and one thing is clear—when they say “overhaul,” they mean it. From subtle gameplay changes to entirely new systems, this mod changes the way you approach survival.
Want to see my first impressions and chaotic gameplay live? Check out my playthrough stream video below!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xwu3tnu1rJ0
What is Project Z? First Impressions
Project Z isn’t just a collection of tweaks; it’s a fundamental reimagining of the 7 Days to Die experience. Right from the start, we noticed that the world felt different. The mod introduces a host of changes, including:
- A Deeper Skill and Trait System: The mod adds a complex system of positive and negative traits that can dramatically alter your playthrough. In our session, we ended up with traits that made us severely underweight and reduced our stamina, forcing us to completely rethink our survival strategy from day one. [59:08]
- New Gameplay Mechanics: Prepare for the unexpected. We encountered bizarre and challenging situations, like becoming infected simply by hitting a tree stump [39:38] and experiencing what seemed like “infection lag,” where a cured infection would mysteriously reappear. [20:51] These elements add a new layer of unpredictability and challenge.
- Overhauled World and Loot: The mod touches everything, from making military pallets lootable [16:11] to adding a massive number of quality-of-life changes and new items to discover. It’s clear that exploration and experimentation are highly encouraged.
The Unpredictable Nature of Survival
One of the most talked-about moments from our session was the strange health bug one of our players, Salem, experienced. His health bar was fluctuating wildly, and his character would sometimes enter the black-and-white “dying” screen, even when his health wasn’t critically low. [43:58]
This seems to be a rare visual bug or a mod conflict, as it wasn’t happening for everyone. It serves as a great reminder that when you’re playing with extensive overhaul mods, you’re truly on the frontier of the game’s code. While a quick relog often fixes these issues, it certainly adds to the tension when your screen randomly tells you that you’re about to die!
Is Project Z Worth It?
Absolutely. Even with a few strange bugs, the Project Z overhaul feels like a fresh and exciting way to experience 7 Days to Die. It forces veteran players out of their comfort zones and makes the world feel dangerous and unknown again. The sheer number of changes means there is always something new to discover, craft, or be killed by.
If you’re looking for a mod that will fundamentally change the game and provide a deep, challenging survival experience, Project Z is a must-try. Just be prepared for anything—and maybe bring a few extra jars of honey.
