Into the Dead: Our Darkest Days
" Engaging action survival strategy with stealth, crafting, and tense scavenging but repetitive early access content "
Into the Dead: Our Darkest Days Review
Into the Dead: Our Darkest Days is an early access 2D side-scrolling zombie survival game that combines stealth, resource management, and base building. Players manage survivors with unique traits, scavenge varied locations, and make tough moral decisions while trying to escape a zombie-infested city. The game draws frequent comparisons to This War of Mine, sharing a similar survival tension but with a zombie apocalypse twist. Its art style and atmospheric maps evoke a nostalgic 80s vibe, complemented by well-designed characters and immersive sound design. While the core gameplay loop of scavenging, crafting, and defending is engaging, many players note the current content is limited and repetitive, with a lack of character interaction and evolving story elements. The developers are praised for active community engagement and frequent updates, showing promise for future improvements. However, some technical issues, such as bugs and occasional crashes, persist in this early stage. Overall, the game offers a solid foundation with significant potential if the roadmap is fully realized.
Highlights
Players consistently praise the game's atmospheric graphics and detailed, colorful maps that enhance immersion. The survival mechanics, including stealth, resource management, and crafting, are well-received for their depth and challenge. The varied locations and multiple endings add replay value, while the unique survivor traits and strategic combat keep gameplay engaging. Many enjoy the nostalgic 80s aesthetic and dynamic zombie encounters that create tense, rewarding scavenging runs. The developers' responsiveness to community feedback and steady addition of content also stand out positively.
Criticisms
Common criticisms focus on the game's current early access limitations, including repetitive gameplay loops and lack of meaningful character interactions or evolving storylines. Combat, especially melee, is described as clunky and occasionally frustrating. Base building and crafting systems are seen as shallow, with limited variety and strategic depth. Some players report bugs, softlocks, and occasional crashes that hinder the experience. Difficulty balancing and progression pacing also need refinement, with suggestions for difficulty settings and more challenging enemy variety. Finally, the game's price is considered high relative to its unfinished state by some reviewers.
Pros
- • Engaging survival mechanics combining stealth, crafting, and resource management.
- • Atmospheric and vibrant 80s-inspired graphics and detailed maps.
- • Varied locations and multiple endings provide replayability.
- • Unique survivor traits add strategic depth to gameplay.
- • Tense and rewarding scavenging runs with dynamic zombie encounters.
- • Active developer support and responsiveness to community feedback.
- • Well-designed sound and music enhance immersion.
Cons
- • Repetitive gameplay with limited content variety in current early access.
- • Clunky melee combat and occasional frustrating controls.
- • Base building and crafting systems feel shallow and limited.
- • Lack of meaningful character interactions and evolving story.
- • Bugs, softlocks, and crashes disrupt gameplay experience.
- • Difficulty and progression pacing need improvement.
- • Some players find the price high for an unfinished game.
Rating Criteria
Texas, 1980. Walton City has fallen to a zombie outbreak. Lead a band of desperate survivors from refuge to refuge by scavenging, crafting, and fighting in a relentless struggle for survival. Plan wisely, stick together, and — above all — keep moving if you want to make it out alive.