Challenges - Project Zomboid Guide - IGN (2024)

If you're looking for something to do outside of the standard Project Zomboid experience, there's plenty to try out in the Challenges tab.

Project Zomboid Challenges range from the mildly challenging to the obscenely difficult, and some of them take inspiration from surprising sources. They're worth checking out - use the links below to navigate to a specific section if needed, or keep reading for IGN's full breakdown of Project Zomboid challenges.

• How to Start a Challenge Run
• A Really CD DA
• A Storm is Coming
• House in the Woods - Last Stand
• House in the Woods - Last Stand Accumulator
• Kingsmouth
• Studio
• The Descending Fog
• Winter is Coming
• You Have One Day

Make sure to read up on the various Occupations and Traits that you have access too as well. Picking the right positive and negative Traits can make all the difference when it comes to winning a Challenge in this game.

How to Start a Challenge Run

Starting a Challenge in Project Zomboid is relatively similar to beginning a regular run. They're single-player experiences, so you'll need to pick the 'Solo' option from the regular game menu to get started.

From there, you'll be able to select a Challenge from the drop-down menu. Each one will have a small description listed on the right-hand side.

After this, you'll be able to proceed with the character creation process as normal. You can't customize your settings in a Challenge, but you can still build your character and customize your skill set to maximize your chances of success.

A Really CD DA

A Really CD DA is arguably the hardest Challenge in Project Zomboid. At the very beginning of the run, your character will:

• Have no clothes or items
• Be soaking wet
• Be drunk
• Have a cold
• Be bleeding, due to bits of broken glass

On top of this, the spawning point - a house in north Muldraugh - will also be on fire. You'll need to think on your feet and get out of the house quickly to avoid getting burnt or running into even further trouble, putting you at a severe disadvantage from the get-go.

When building your character for this Challenge, have sturdiness and longevity in mind. It's likely you'll be in no state to fight for the majority of A Really CD DA, so prioritize survivability and health-boosting Traits wherever you can.

A Storm is Coming

Much like the Winter is Coming Challenge mentioned later in this list, A Storm is Coming is a survival-oriented Challenge that places players in the path of the elements. If you enjoy survival gameplay more than combat-centric playthroughs, this is the pick for you.

In A Storm is Coming, it is constantly raining and there are plenty of thunderstorms to contend with, too. While you'll never be short of water, you'll need to efficiently manage your supplies, stay out of the rain to avoid getting sick, and avoid your character panicking, too.

The storms can be particularly influential on the zombie population, so make sure to keep an eye out for hordes and limit entries into your base.

House in the Woods - Last Stand

If you're hoping for a Challenge that lets you pop off against endless waves of the undead, House in the Woods is the perfect pick for you.

It's an endless horde situation, placing you in a woodland cabin with access to a shotgun and not much else. It'll test your ability to think on your feet and aim, meaning Occupations like Police Officer can be smart picks here.

House in the Woods - Last Stand Accumulator

House in the Woods - Last Stand Accumulator is similar to the previous entry, but it's more reminiscent of a roguelite game.

It still takes place in a woodland cabin and features endless waves of zombies which appear in increasing numbers and levels of ferocity.

Interestingly, you'll earn money by killing zombies in this mode. This money can be used to buy equipment, level up, and repair weapons, giving you the potential to outlast the hordes of zombies - at least for a moment longer. The waves are literally endless in both Last Stand modes, meaning it's a case of going down fighting.

Kingsmouth

Kingsmouth is an intriguing survival Challenge that starts the player off in an island resort. As nice as that might sound, it doesn't last long.

The spawn point is incredibly limited when it comes to loot, so pack up and move along fast if you want to make the most out of your Kingsmouth run. It's worth picking an Occupation that can take a few hits, as Kingsmouth runs require a bit of trial and error.

There are plenty of interesting locations to keep an eye out for in Kingsmouth, including military hotspots, luxurious hotels, and beaches, meaning supplies are abundant if you know where to look.

Studio

If you've got automatonophobia, this is one to miss. Instead of regular zombies, the Studio Challenge pits you against shop mannequins - and they are fast in the daytime.

The map for this Challenge is unique, putting players in the middle of a Hollywood studio in the middle of the night. There's a theater, a gym, and a bar, along with plenty of hiding spaces and spots to find essential survival equipment.

Other than the obvious appearance change, it's important to note that zombie behaviour is different in Studio mode. The mannequin zeds move fast in the day and slow at night, meaning supply runs in daylight can be almost impossible.

Picking Traits relating to fitness and sprinting speed is advised for this run, as is the Lucky Trait if it's your first time having a stab at it.

The Descending Fog

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This Challenge seems to take inspiration from Stephen King's The Mist. It's a relatively simple Challenge when compared to others in the list - but don't let that fool you. It can still be bitingly difficult at times.

In The Descending Fog, a heavy blanket of fog covers the entirety of the map. It heavily limits how much you can see and how aware you are of potential threats, which can make surviving much trickier.

It's worth picking Traits that relate to perception and stealth if you want to come out of The Descending Fog in one piece.

Winter is Coming

If you enjoy survival-oriented gameplay, this one's for you. Winter Is Coming is an incredibly literal title, as this Challenge puts players up against the elements.

Winter is indeed coming, steadily dropping the temperature and increasing snowfall as the Challenge progresses. You'll need to stay warm and well-fed, which can be difficult as food can be hard to find in the snow, and avoid getting into scrapes with zombies, too.

Staying inside can help with keeping warm - but what happens if a horde finds you? Winter Is Coming offers plenty of risky situations which'll test your survival mettle, and it's arguably one of the most enjoyable Challenge modes.

You Only Have One Day

As the name might suggest, this Challenge gives the player exactly one day to prepare for a huge onslaught of intelligent, bloodthirsty zombies. Starting you off with just clothes and a keyring, You Have One Day is the perfect way to test your adaptability and survival skills.

This map is a community creation from the mapper BobHeckling, and it pays homage to the roots of the Project Zomboid experience.

It's a quintessential survival experience - but it's incredibly tricky, as the zombies know exactly where the player is at all times and will spawn in huge numbers. This is best suited for players who've been playing the game for a while and have a good handle on how to defend themselves effectively.