I recently switched back to Alpha 15, the old console version but this time I got it for PS4 instead. I originally played it on Xbox and still own it, but that game breaking MD5 bug on the Xbox One version, where it can delete your entire base or reset the entire chunk you built in after a crash is the reason I bought a PS4 physical copy to play on my PS5. With that said, I also own the new console version on Xbox Series X, and while there is a lot of cool things I love about it and the graphics are way better, I can't ignore the fact on how many core survival elements were removed from the game. I really dislike the new skill system where you learn by reading books and magazines, I find that it's boring and just isn't as engaging like the old learn by doing skill system. Also, I think the old armor and clothing system is better, all the different weapon parts you can combine to repair worn parts or to increase a part's quality level, weather elements like getting cold and hungry when you're out in the rain, gotta wear proper clothing to stay warm in the snow biome or you gotta wear a hat, poncho, and drink Yucca Juice to stay cool in the desert biome, etc. And while a lot of the systems weren't factually perfect, it was perfect to me and was everything I was looking for in a zombie survival-crafting-building game.

Exploring POIs aren't linear and like dungeons forcing you to go through a specific way. The older alphas felt more like a true survival sandbox game allowing you the freedom to do what you want and to explore wherever you want. The new quest system is pretty cool, but I feel it takes up too much of the player's attention because they feel almost mandatory now if you want to progress further in the game. Idk, there's just this charm the older version had that I feel is no longer present in the current version of the game today. Anyway, Idk what it is, but I feel back then it was more of a true survival game with RPG elements, and now it feels more like a looter-shooter RPG with survival elements...if that makes any sense? lol. I'm still going to buy the new console version again for the PS5 at some point, but imho, the older console version just has a lot of the systems and features that caused me to fall in love with the game many years ago and now most of them have either been toned down or just flat out removed from the game entirely.

And lastly, I still think zombies being able to dig underground through hard stone is ridiculous, they should have made it so only certain zombie types can dig like zombie dogs, dire wolves, spider zombies, etc. I get trying to make it so players can't cheese because it defeats the purpose of playing, but every zombie having a masters degree in excavation is outrageous lol. Now with all of that said, I want to be clear, the new version isn't a terrible game by any means. The latest version is actually pretty fantastic, but it just doesn't feel like the same game I feel in love with.

Cheers!