Texas, 1980. Walton City has collapsed under the weight of a zombie outbreak, and honestly? It feels like you’ve been dropped straight into the opening sequence of every horror film you’ve ever screamed at. Except this time, you’re the one making the choices.
I spent the weekend with Into the Dead: Our Darkest Days and let me just say — survival has never felt this gritty, stressful, and addictive.
A survival game that actually feels like survival
Unlike some zombie titles that throw endless ammo at you (looking at you, Resident Evil 5), this game makes every bullet count. Scavenging becomes less about “What cool weapon can I craft?” and more “Can I actually feed my group tonight?”
The crafting system had me duct-taping pipes and broken tools into weapons that looked one step away from falling apart. But when a horde is on your heels, a shaky hammer is better than nothing.
If you’ve played other survival games like Project Zomboid, you’ll know the drill — every choice matters. Except here, the storytelling makes you feel every mistake.
Meet your band of misfits
What kept me hooked wasn’t just the zombies, but the survivors I ended up guiding through this chaos. Each character has a backstory that makes it impossible not to get attached. Which is cruel, because permadeath means one wrong move and they’re gone forever.
It reminded me a lot of the emotional gut-punch you get in games like This War of Mine. Only here, the 1980s Texas setting makes everything feel more cinematic — dusty streets, flickering neon lights, and that eerie quiet just before a horde comes tearing through.
Stress, strategy, and satisfaction
Every run felt like a gamble. Do I risk splitting the group to scavenge more supplies? Do I save ammo or go all out now? The tension is constant, but when you actually make it to the next safehouse, the relief is unreal.
It’s not just about reflexes either. You need to think, plan, and accept that sometimes, bad luck will get you. But that’s part of what makes it so addictive.
If you’re into strategy-heavy horror experiences, you might also like my guide to the best survival horror games where this title will definitely earn a spot.
What works and what doesn’t
What I loved
- The 1980s Texas setting is surprisingly fresh in a zombie game.
- The emotional weight of keeping survivors alive makes every decision matter.
- The crafting system feels raw and realistic.
What I didn’t love
- RNG can be brutal — sometimes you just get unlucky.
- Permadeath can make progress feel punishing if you get attached (which you will).
Should you play it?
If you want a zombie game that actually makes you sweat over your choices, Into the Dead: Our Darkest Days is the one to try. It’s not flashy or easy, but it’s the kind of game that keeps you saying “just one more run” until you realise it’s 2 a.m.
Right now, the game is available on Steam with a launch discount, so if survival horror is your thing, I’d grab it while it’s hot.
