PikPok returns to its zombie-survival series with a new chapter that combines shelter management with classic undead thrills. Time for a closer look at Into the Dead: Our Darkest Days.
What we know
Into the Dead: Our Darkest Days is the latest in PikPok’s survival horror series, shifting to a side-scrolling, shelter-focused gameplay style. Set in the 1980s, it follows a group of survivors battling to escape a zombie-overrun Walton City, Texas. The game emphasizes resource management and survival tactics, tasking players with gathering supplies, crafting weapons, and fortifying shelters while navigating the dangers of both the undead and rival survivor groups. As players travel through the city’s decaying landscape, they’ll need to make choices that impact who lives, who dies, and how the group holds together. While Our Darkest Days is available in an early demo form on PC, the final release will feature a changing urban environment and an evolving story with numerous playthrough possibilities.
What we saw
At Gamescom, we experienced an early build of Into the Dead: Our Darkest Days through a hands-on session with PikPok. This initial look introduced us to core mechanics like resource gathering, stealth movement, and the day/night cycle. PikPok then provided early access to the game’s demo, currently available on Steam, for further exploration.
What we thought
Into the Dead: Our Darkest Days takes the series in a fresh direction, blending side-scrolling action with strategic shelter management, which reminded us of Deadlight’s visual aesthetic but adds a heavier focus on survival mechanics. The atmosphere of Walton City feels effectively grim, with desolate streets and a limited color palette that enhances the sense of decay and tension. The game’s day/night cycle is an intriguing addition; it brings a tactical layer to gameplay, with daytime scavenge runs feeling tense but more manageable, while nighttime ventures take on a significantly more dangerous tone, and we’re curious to see how this dynamic will develop as the game progresses.
Gameplay in Our Darkest Days feels relatively straightforward but involves a strategic balance of stealth and combat, as one wrong move could bring hordes of zombies down on your group. The demo revealed solid controls and a streamlined interface for managing resources and group morale, which feels promising for players who enjoy planning and adaptive tactics in their survival games. However, while the basics of shelter management are clear, the long-term engagement for players remains to be seen, particularly in how the game will encourage players to invest in the lives of the survivors they’re protecting.
Visually, Our Darkest Days creates a strong impression, but the muted color palette can occasionally make environments blend together, sometimes obscuring interactive objects or key locations. The audio design contributes to the foreboding atmosphere, with a score that doesn’t overplay but underscores key moments to remind you that death is always nearby. From what we’ve seen so far, the story promises a journey that tests the survivors’ resolve and our own tactical abilities as players – but we’ll be watching to see if it can draw us in beyond these initial encounters.
Overall, Into the Dead: Our Darkest Days shows promise as a compelling addition to the zombie-survival genre, especially for those drawn to a more strategic approach. While PikPok’s shelter system and visual style are both engaging, only time will tell if this bleak journey will fully capture the immersive experience it’s aiming for.
Press Play Media 