I can easily see factions/fixed geographical world/more 'intelligent' skill progression, stress aquisition, and animal spawning as a fix.
Factions have npcs, almost all of whom can kill a skeleton these days. NPCs are arguably one of the strongest critters in the game, what with gear and armor and drugs. Missions, RP immersion, an a better ai will easily net more challange than any of the sandbox we do now.
I imagine npcs can be made to respond to noise, take limited drugs, patrol, and even 'storm, flank, or flee'. and also npc drivers. npc remote vehicle operator using a mounted turret on a shopping cart, where he controls the robot but is helplessly imobile?
A consistent worldgen that had an ocean/not ocean and rivers that led to dedicatee syopping points like lakes. A sense pf solid geometry to set the stage for topography or faction specific oil rigs bases.
And a nerfed or reworked skill progression that focuses on longer term success and health. I know phobias have been discussed.
NEwho, the reason Im posting. Ive been <re>discovering why the hobo is such a solid choice over shower victims i did before.
Besides the clothing (basic no footwear) he has a pooch and bindle. matches, pocketknife, wood, cloth, glass jars and gallon jugs, beans even. I just realized that skewers make needles. So he could easily burn his bindle as a weapon, deconstruct it, craft skewers, and with 4-5 zoms have a sewing kit, turban, footwraps. his starter kit is remarkably resiliant and flexible.
he can make cocktails off rip, and has enough booze for over a week of drinking