The IncastroPC test
Mike Abbondandolo · November 2026 · version 1.0.13 · updated on 12 November 2026A solid, well-built top-down zombie survival game with a crafting loop that can keep you hooked for hours. With no story, though, anyone who isn't into the genre won't find much reason to keep going.
What we liked
- +Deep, rewarding crafting/survival loop
- +Runs perfectly on Linux with GE-Proton11-1
- +'80s style that fits the gameplay experience
- +Plenty of content for fans of the genre
Less convincing
- −No story or narrative to drive you forward
- −Basic audio, bare-bones sound effects
- −Not for those who don't love pure crafting and survival
How we tested it
Performance
Average FPS over 9 min 58 s of gameplay, measured with MangoHud. The line marks 60 FPS. Average FPS: how many frames per second on average. 1% low: the FPS in the worst moments (the slowest 1% of frames). The closer the 1% low is to the average, the smoother the game, without stutters.
Also applies to other mini PCs with the same Radeon 780M graphics: Ryzen 7 7840HS, Ryzen 7 8845HS, Ryzen 9 7940HS Same integrated graphics, so similar FPS. They can vary a bit with RAM (speed and dual channel) and with the power limit set by the manufacturer.
Test timeline
Power is the processor's (CPU and graphics) as read by MangoHud: at the wall it's a few watts more.
Launch and tweaks
You launch the game and find yourself in a devastated world, with zombies everywhere and a list of things to craft that never ends. ZED ZONE is a 2D top-down survival game with an overhead view, deep crafting and a retro '80s aesthetic that makes no effort to look modern — and that's fine. On CachyOS with Ryzen 7 8745HS and Radeon 780M it runs via GE-Proton11-1 at 27 FPS in 4K on the Medium preset: in a 2D top-down game, smoothness feels different than in an FPS, and the session runs without a hitch.
There's no real story: no narrative, no memorable characters. It's pure gameplay, all loop and progression — you explore, loot, craft, build, and the next day you come back to do better. If you're looking for something that pushes you forward with a plot, you won't find much here. If you love the survival sandbox genre, on the other hand, you'll find a well-built title with a progression curve that's genuinely rewarding.
The '80s pixel art style fits the experience the game is going for. The audio is basic — bare-bones sound effects, no memorable soundtrack — but it doesn't get in the way. If you love gathering items, building and surviving, ZED ZONE has everything it takes to keep you glued to the screen for hours.
