I think considering that cheating or not is a personal thing. Some might think so, some might not. I don't think that's the important thing though.


If you haven't played Project Zomboid before I would strongly suggest not using the map.

The reason I say that is because you only get to have the feeling of exploring and finding new things once. You only get to run into the unknown once. Once you've been there before, or examined it on the map, you can't discover it again.

That feeling of wondering if it's safe to run this way, or explore that way is a great part of the game, unfortunately it's also something which vanishes once you know the area.

In a way I'd compare that aspect to something like playing Dark Souls for the first time while not knowing anything about it. You end up running into places you shouldn't be, places you aren't prepared for and sometimes places which end up great.

Using something like a map, I don't think it matters if its cheating, play however you want so long as you enjoy it. Though if it's the first time playing a game like this, you're going to be robbing yourself of those feelings of discovery, of being lost, which for me were the best parts of the game.

I still remember the first time I played it long ago, not knowing what was out there, which way to go or what to avoid. You can't get those feeling once you know the map, which is the main reason why I haven't played it in ages. All my best memories of the game were from when I was going to new places, getting myself in trouble and then managing to eventually escape.

Its not and its absolutely crucial in MP and potentially SP.

I think, Hydrocraft mod offers something "similar":
- compass
- map

Compass only shows direction in text and is not really useful.
If you get (map) in your inventory, its essentially text-list of places.
But if you also have "compass", then you can select any "text" item, and "compass" will show values: direction and distance.

Speaking of mods, the game essentially also lacks in non-nail building, look up "build with dowels" mod, because nails are limited and can't be produced or replaced. Its mod that is basically essential.

If it is then call me a dirty cheater! Seriously, the map is enormous :P

Good post.

As it is, even without the map I'm getting a sense of where things are kind of located which I guess is really all you need. It's a beautiful layout; industry zones, residential, commercial.

And BTW, these are all REAL towns in Kentucky! Wonder how they feel about it. ;P

I always play with a map loaded,( once I realized the map existed! ) I have no problem doing that. If I was in game for real I wouldn't run willy nilly around without some specific goal in mind, thats certain death. I would have looted maps from gas stations and would be using those to get around. I actually made a hard copy of certain areas and notated which houses were stashes, which were secondary oh shit fall back ones etc.

That said, with enough game time you learn the terrain, so much in fact that when I recently picked up the game after months of being away, I pretty much knew the general area where I morphed into... ( crap zone north of the poor trailer park lol) Problem for me was that I had started a sand box multiplayer game where I didnt turn on items for loot. I swear, I made it all the way to the frigging log yard thru major hordes with no weapon .. at all. O_o warehouses even were empty except for some tent pegs!

good times. love this game. I only logged back in to see if it had been updated with 35 yet. gonna turn on some lootables and see how long this char can last.

I'm at 2 and half months now, two forts (one built off an existing building/one from scratch), survived two broken legs, three cuts, and it's safe to say I pretty much have the terrain memorized, so I can forgo the map at this point. :P

this is very true, the nostalgia if you can call such a recent memory that, of the first times playing this game are very strong. Even recently coming back to the game after long hiatus does not bring back that abject terror of exploration from the initial play thru. I hope they offer new areas in updates lolol, i hear you on the broken leg thing, had one char who constantly had at least two broken bones from leaping over accidentally my fences over elevated forts/walkways. doh! so pissed me off.

My last and main char is a yr and 3mths old with almost 6k kills. Towards the end I got really into building posh homes, cannibalizing in game assets etc to do it. But that pretty much took me way past solo end game and burnout.

It is refreshing and fun to start a new char with nothing at all but yah, the exploration panic is pretty much gone

YOU GOT A YEAR?!

Surviving isn't the problem but due to boredom I'm likely to quit way before them. Most days all there is to do is stand on the roof and stare out into nothing. :P
They keep saying they'll introduce bikes which would be nice because I'd like to hit some very far areas and try fishing.

Speaking of months ticking by ingame, is winter a thing yet? As in a big event that you have to prepare for? That's one of the things I love about Don't Starve. From the very first day it's a race against the clock to prepare yourself for winter. And if you're not prepared come winter time you're as good as dead.

Also, are there any visual changes in the winter, like snow?

The game takes place in Kentucky and having grown up pretty close to there it's realistic which means winter is mild.

It gets cold and it snows a little so make sure you have a sweater, and you can't really farm, but other than that it's not a huge change. No sub zero, no blizzards.

Ah ok I see :P That's a pity then. It would give the game a whole other dimension. As it is, or at least was when I last played (build 31), you just reach a point where you're basically self sufficient and then you get bored :P

The game could do with some sort of main objective, perhaps incorporating NPCs that everyone's been going on about for ages.

UNlike Don't Starve, multiplayer is not crippled in this game.

Oh? Don't Starve's multiplayer is crippled? In what way?

There is none?
Dont Starve Together is steam-only.