State of Decay: Year-One Survival Edition is the first release of the game for the Xbox One platform and a compilation release for the PC, containing the base game State of Decay , as well as its downloadable content Lifeline and Breakdown . The story follows a lone survivor in a post-apocalyptic world overrun by zombies, where the player must gather resources, build shelter, and recruit other survivors to aid in their survival.
The gameplay involves exploration, crafting, and combat against hordes of zombies. Players can scavenge for supplies, build and upgrade their base, and engage in melee and ranged battles using a variety of weapons, including the new knife melee weapon. The game also features a dynamic weather system and day-night cycles that affect zombie behavior.