Player

The player is the character you control in Project zomboid. He has limited health, and needs to eat, drink, sleep, and entertain himself regularly. He can run, sneak, wield items, craft, store items, take items, open/close doors and windows, attack with items, equip items, and consume items. The main difference between the player and NPCs is that the player is not controlled by a AI. Like NPCs, he has 15 different body areas which can all be damaged (zombies only have an overall health). The main difference between the player and an NPC is that the player is able to improve skills, and later, the player will be far superior to the NPC if he is upgraded enough.

Combat

The player, like the NPCs, need various items to fight at all. If the player has smaller weapons that require stabbing, then the player has to get extremely close to the undead, and he has to stab the zombies individually to ensure efficient kills. With longer weapons like frying pans and baseball bats, the player is able to swing the weapon, but will have to shove the undead back if they come too close to the player. If the player has a sledgehammer, the combat is just like the longer weapons, except that the player will become tired more easily and will be unable to attack when the moodle "Out of Breath" is intact. As the player continues using melee weapons, the player can increase damage by adding skill points to "blunt" and "blade" skills. The player can also add skill points to the "swinging" skill to be able to swing longer without being tired.

When using ranged weapons, the player can fire shotguns and pistols with relative ease. Just like NPCs, they need to find the firearms and ammo, and then load the weapons to fight enemies with it. Aiming is done manually for the player.

Movement

The player can walk around with the WASD keys. When holding CTRL or the Z key, the player is actually able to sneak in order to make less sounds. When holding the shift key, the player is able to sprint to a location for a limited amount of time before tiring. As the player continue sprinting regularly, the player is able to run faster and for longer by spending skill points into the "running","sprinting", and "nimble" skills. In addition, the player can increase stealth in general or when sneaking by adding points to "light-footed" and "sneaking" skills.

The player is able to push and pull couches, tables, and wheelie bins in order to barricade a safe house.

Resources

In Project Zomboid, the various resources and tools that are used by the player can be stored in the inventory for future use. Storing too much items will encumber the player, giving the encumbered moodle and slowing down the player's speed, and eventually, the player will suffer damage from carrying too much. Resources can be consumed by dragging them from the inventory and from various containers and then dragging it into the player's heart to use them. The player can store items in contained in containers to prevent him from becoming encumbered. In the inventory area, there is crafting panel where the player can modify his current items. In the clothes panel, the player can actually wear clothes.

Safe house Fortification

Unlike zombies, the player is able to secure the safe house by preforming various actions. Firstly, the player can open and close doors and windows by simply clicking on the door or window. The player can secure windows and doors by barricading the with wooden, although a hammer and a nail is required to do so. The player can further fortify a safe house by putting sheets over the windows. When there is either a sheet or a curtain on the window, the player will be able to close and open the curtains by clicking on them. Players can further refine their stronghold by placing door, window, and wall pieces, in addition to crates and barricades. Players can then destroy walls by using a sledgehammer on the wall.

Sleep and Level Up

In addition to the mentioned features above, the player will have to sleep regularly in order to have optimal spacial awareness and sight range. The player is able to level up skills in his sleep. The skills are upgraded as the player uses the skill continuously when awake.

NPC interaction

The player is able to chat with and recruit NPCs. The player is able to get angry when the NPC denies his recruitment, and when the player keeps asking, the NPC will ask for a life-to-death duel with the player. If the recruitment is successful, the player is able to give the NPC 3 orders: guard, stay, and follow the player, and the NPC will assist the player in combat missions. The player, however, will have to give the NPC food, water, entertainment, and weapons in trade for the companionship given. Chatting with the NPC will allow the player to ease boredom and unhappiness, although there isn't any dialog shown