Why have such a vast variety of systems and subsystems when the games calls for no circumstances where they culminate in any sort of cohesive way?

Why make a sandbox if players will be punished for attempting to experiment in it?

Why add even more mechanics when the existing ones feel terribly unpolished?

Ultimately, Zomboid managed to design a game that spites you for the mere act of playing it. It's a huge box full of silk calling itself a web.