New Open-World Survival RPG Is Basically Project Zomboid In Space

Published Jul 29, 2026, 11:00 AM EDT Tom Wilson is a Gaming Features Writer at Screen Rant. Over the past five years, Tom has worked as the Editor-in-Chief at The Game Crater, as a Staff Writer for GamingIntel, a List Writer at TheGamer, and, of course, as a Senior Writer at ScreenRant. Tom has experience writing reviews, guides, news, and features, and has been responsible for teams of writers, training them and editing their work. Tom graduated with a Masters in Multimedia Journalism, and has since gone on to build up his portfolio of games journalism work. Project Zomboid remains one of the greatest open-world survival games, and easily one of the best zombie games of all time. It is a masterpiece in emergent storytelling, roleplaying, and survival mechanics, a brutal, endless, and extremely ambitious experience that allows players to craft their own narrative and come away from the nightmare of an adventure with memorable stories. Few games can dare top its excellence, but that doesn't mean that developers won't stop trying. Case in point is the latest title to attempt to dethrone Project Zomboid and take its place as the next innovative survival RPG. However, where others have failed, this game may just stand a chance, as it promises to fix Project Zomboid's glaring flaws. At the very least, it is taking Project Zomboid's core mechanics up into space, to create a horrifying, yet surprisingly cozy experience unlike any other, and that is certainly a promising prospect. Dandelion Void Is From Project Zomboid Veterans Were a Project Zomboid fan to take a quick glance at Dandelion Void's gameplay on Steam, they'd likely feel right at home. Its isometric view, chunky 3D visuals, and dynamic lighting all feel as if they were ripped straight out of the legendary zombie survival RPG. That, to be very clear, isn't a bad thing. Project Zomboid's phenomenal aesthetic is a work of art, and it is great to see more developers take inspiration from it for their projects, especially in an industry brimming with brand-new survival RPGs. The similarities between Dandelion Void and Project Zomboid don't end there, but that's not by pure chance. Rather, Dandelion Void is being built by a team of developers with a background in modding Project Zomboid, with this space-set horror experience being the culmination of everything they've learned in the process. It is that experience that gets me so excited for Dandelion Void, as it puts developer Manzanita Interactive in the prime position to perfect Project Zomboid's best mechanics and innovate where it failed. This Is One For Survival Game Fans To Watch Set in a spacecraft that once held humanity in the depths of its steel belly, players must attempt to survive alone as they explore its ruins, fight against its dangerous new inhabitants, and build a home for themselves. Much like in Project Zomboid, how one survives, and how long they make it is completely up to the player and their survival instincts. Dandelion Void is a harsh survival RPG, one in which everything is out to get you, where you must cater to your various needs, including happiness and comfort. So, one should absolutely expect it to be punishing. However, that isn't to say it won't also be a tad cozy. Unlike Project Zomboid, which forces players to be on the move, Dandelion Void encourages players to make a home for themselves, to gather pieces of furniture, and resources to survive the potentially lengthy periods in which life support is switched off. It is here that the player's happiness and comfort levels rise, and is thus an important aspect of the overall gameplay. Of course, for those who enjoy the zombie-bashing aspect of Project Zomboid, fear not, as Dandelion Void sees players tussle with all manner of plant-like creatures. Perhaps the most exciting part about Dandelion Void, especially for Project Zomboid and survival RPG fans, is that it'll be moddable right out of the gate. This makes sense considering the developer's background, but it is a nice touch that'll likely see it grow into a beloved experience full of unique content, much like Project Zomboid. It is exciting to see such a unique and intriguing spiritual successor to Project Zomboid appear, and I sincerely hope it succeeds in much the same way. Systems Released November 8, 2013 ESRB m Developer(s) The Indie Stone Publisher(s) The Indie Stone Engine LWJGL Multiplayer Local Multiplayer Platform(s) PC Genre(s) Survival Horror