Days of Doom, developed by SneakyBox and published by Atari, takes the familiar post-apocalyptic zombie survival concept and infuses it with a unique tactical turn-based roguelite twist. Set in a world ravaged by the apocalypse, players lead a small group of survivors on a treacherous journey towards the elusive “Sanctuary”, encountering a myriad of threats along the way, from zombies to raiders and even hybrid foes. The game’s narrative is simple yet effective, providing a solid backdrop for the challenging gameplay. It’s out for all major systems, and we played it on a PlayStation 5.
One of the biggest features of Days of Doom is its strategic combat system, which requires players to carefully utilize the distinctive abilities of each character in their squad. For instance, Pyro can ignite enemies for lasting damage, while the Hydromancer and Thrasher can synergize for devastating combos. This level of depth in character abilities adds a layer of tactical depth to the gameplay, encouraging players to experiment and refine their strategies.
The game excels in its randomization aspect, ensuring that no two runs are ever the same in this post-apocalyptic roguelite. This inherent replayability keeps players engaged and on their toes, making every playthrough a fresh and exciting experience. The procedural generation of environments and encounters contributes to this dynamic, ensuring that players are constantly presented with new challenges and choices.
Days of Doom’s visual presentation is a definite highlight, featuring beautifully animated hand-drawn art that brings the post-apocalyptic world to vivid life. The environments are both detailed and varied, with each area offering its own distinct challenges and atmosphere. The user interface is well-designed, providing clear information and contributing to the overall immersion of the game. Having become so used to the style of Atari’s “Recharged” series, this one certainly has a very different look to it.
However, the game does have its share of drawbacks. While the combat system offers depth, it can sometimes lean towards a waiting game where the pace is relatively slow, especially in the early stages of a fight. This can lead to a feeling of repetitiveness, particularly in the absence of an overwatch mechanic or a clearer distinction between movement and combat action points, which are pooled together here.
Additionally, the progression system, while rewarding, may feel a bit slow to get going as well, especially in terms of unlocking new classes and upgrades for the camp. The balance in resource accumulation and upgrade costs could be fine-tuned to provide a more satisfying sense of progression post-launch though, as the foundations for a great experience are all here.
In conclusion, Days of Doom stands out as a decent addition to the roguelite genre, offering an accessible yet challenging experience for players. The combination of tactical gameplay, engaging encounters, and an aesthetically pleasing presentation makes it a game worth exploring for fans of the genre. Despite some minor balancing issues and potential for repetitiveness, Days of Doom succeeds in delivering an enjoyable post-apocalyptic adventure.
Score: 7.1/10
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