you absolutely can. i'm going to post the notes from our discord on casual mode, some of it is out of date, for instance encumbrance was removed from all modes later on for the time being.
largely the main things affected ARE zombie health and spawning, second class (support, so take an offensive class to start) awarded at the end of the survival quests, and a small nerf to knowledge points needed to progress through classes. so it really might be what you're looking for.
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-Cars do not respawn any more (Removed for Realism in Casual Mode)
-Plants take 5 in game hours now
-Animal Traps, Chicken Coops, Composter, Bee Hives and Rain Collectors take 2 in game hours
-Slight reduction in amount of XP needed to level (17,000 down to 14,000)
-Second Support class selection awarded at the end of the Opening questline
-Zombie HP Lowered
-Prisoner and Herd Health Lowered
-Terror Health Lowered
-Backpack now Stays 2400
-Remains now stay 600
-Dropped Loot now Stays 900
-Reduced KP Cost on Items
-Skill Points Awarded when Levelling Raised to 7
-300 Level axe, pickaxe and bow along with 150 arrows awarded as you quest in Basic Survival
-Break removed from the Quest reward tools and weapons so you will not lose them anymore
-Encumbrance removed
-Fuller RWG with more towns and cities
-Gamestage Increases slowed down a bit
-Reduced Zombie Spawning
-Animals will respawn every 5 days instead of 7