If you love survival games as much as I do, you get pretty excited to see new takes on the genre. And developer Ocean Drive Studio has delivered with God Save Birmingham, a zombie survival game set in a 14th-century medieval world.

God Save Birmingham is a fresh take on the genre, as it not only sets us in an era rarely seen but also aligns with Project Zomboid, a stand-alone title in its own right. That passion for creating a realistic survival game is evident in the game footage.

Following the recent demo showcase at PAX East, the developers updated the game with changes ranging from smoother movement across terrain to combat strikes and environmental interactions, such as weapons becoming stuck in pillars or walls. A new parkour mechanic was added, and enhancements to movement are being targeted for better control over your character. Fluid movement and character animations have also been looked at and will be addressed in upcoming builds.

Speaking of weapon and environmental interactions, a new weapon has been revealed. It will have the ability to sever legs or crush zombie skulls. But be careful, if you hit the wall with it, it will get stuck. And if you miss a zombie? You just might find yourself on the floor, as the creature threatens to feast on your bones. Having your swing and miss, and possibly staggering you, is a welcome addition to combat.

What’s a survival game without necessities like food, water, and light? With the new pot, brazier, and fuel systems, you’ll be able to cook up some potage, boil water with fruits, vegetables, and other ingredients, and generally keep yourself fed. Ever heard of the Perpetual Stew? You’ll be able to keep food fresh by keeping it simmering on the cooktop, allowing you to eat whenever you’re not fending off zombies. Food in your pocket will spoil, of course, and water can be boiled away. So keep an eye on that stew. Don’t forget to add wood to the fire. And this is just the beginning of the culinary options God Save Birmingham offers. The devs will also be adding salting barrels and drying racks.

You need to work off all that food. Head out into the mire, and track down different zombies with different clothing, size, shape, and decomposition. You won’t get bored tracking them down, as the developers have another trick up their collective sleeves. The zombies will also have the chance to interact with their environment. Throw a chair at a zombie’s legs, and knock it over. If there’s a table nearby, it has the chance to fall onto it and shatter it.

God Save Birmingham is still in pre-alpha, with frequent updates planned as development moves forward. The team is currently working behind the scenes on controls, UI, optimization, and future features. If you’re interested in joining the first closed alpha test and helping the developers refine the core features, be sure to sign up.