Into the Dead: Our Darkest Days - Surviving the Apocalypse, One Bug at a Time

Zombies, crafting, and the 80s: A recipe for nostalgic chaos

Launch Day Larry

Welcome to the world of “Into the Dead: Our Darkest Days,” where the undead roam free, and your survival skills are put to the ultimate test. This early access zombie survival game promises a thrilling experience, but does it deliver a brain-biting adventure or just leave you feeling like a zombie yourself? Let’s dive in and find out.

Gameplay: A Dance with the Dead

“Into the Dead: Our Darkest Days” offers a mix of engaging gameplay elements and some areas that could use a little more polish. The game captures the essence of “The Walking Dead” with its fluid mechanics, strategic base management, and immersive atmosphere. The survival mechanics, including resource management and crafting, add depth and urgency, making the game both challenging and addictive. It’s like a survivalist’s dream, assuming your dreams involve hordes of zombies and a constant fear of running out of duct tape.

However, the game isn’t without its hiccups. Weapon durability is a major point of contention, with players finding it as fragile as a wet paper towel. The lack of an auto-equip feature when a weapon breaks only adds to the frustration. Combat mechanics are described as simplistic and “wonky,” with inconsistent stealth kill prompts and sluggish character movement leading to some less-than-epic encounters. Plus, the single save slot and permadeath system can make you feel like you’re living on the edge—literally.

Despite these challenges, the game shines in its exploration opportunities, beautiful visuals, and impressive sound design. Players have suggested improvements like increasing weapon durability, adding a co-op mode, and introducing a skill system to reflect player progress. With further development, this game could evolve from being seen as a “cheap” version of This War of Mine to a standout title in its own right.

Graphics: A Blast from the Past

The graphics in “Into the Dead: Our Darkest Days” are a visual treat, with an original artistic direction that effectively uses color to create a dark, grim atmosphere. The 80s theme is captured beautifully through the color palette, contributing to the game’s visual appeal and enhancing the mood of desolation. Each building feels distinct and visually appealing, making exploration a feast for the eyes.

However, technical performance issues have been a thorn in the side of many players. Reports of frame rate spikes, lags, and other performance problems, even on high-end hardware, have left some scratching their heads. External locations can appear flat and lifeless during the day, with lighting and shadows not quite hitting the mark. And while the character realization is praised for its high level of detail, a slight stutter issue when using the flashlight can be a bit of a buzzkill.

Overall, while the game’s graphics are a standout feature with a unique art style, technical performance issues and certain environmental realism aspects detract from the overall experience. There’s potential for improvement, particularly in optimizing performance and enhancing visual realism.

Story: A Tale of Survival and Sacrifice

The narrative of “Into the Dead: Our Darkest Days” is a captivating journey through a post-apocalyptic world reminiscent of classic survival horror games like Resident Evil. The game places a strong emphasis on the human element and survival under dire circumstances, offering multiple paths that add depth to the gameplay. The environmental storytelling is particularly praised, with players noting that unexplained events add a sense of mystery and depth.

However, the story isn’t without its shortcomings. The lack of interaction with NPCs can lead to confusion and unintended conflict, and the external environments are criticized for being visually flat and lacking ambient sound. While the game is praised for its engaging survival mechanics and emotional storytelling, there’s room for improvement in NPC interactions and environmental storytelling to enhance the overall narrative experience.

Final Verdict

“Into the Dead: Our Darkest Days” is a game with a solid foundation and plenty of potential for growth. Its engaging dynamics and unique art style make it a promising title, but it requires improvements in weapon durability, combat mechanics, and clearer instructions to enhance the gameplay experience. With further development, it could become a standout title in the zombie survival genre.

Score: 7.0/10