Games

DARKEST DAYS Review: The latest zombie survival with potential missing things

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Following the unveiling of their worldwide test, I promptly downloaded the game called “DARKEST DAYS”. Since I’ve previously enjoyed playing “Guns Up! Mobile” from NHN Corp, I was eager to get my hands on this new title as soon as possible. The open-world multiplayer zombie survival game claims to guide you through a zombie pandemic, heighten your survival senses, and challenge you against mutated flora. In this review of DARKEST DAYS, I will recount my overall gaming experience, ensuring that the insights I provide are impartial and rooted in my genuine feelings.

As an avid gamer, I’ve had the pleasure of exploring the expansive landscape of Darkest Days for approximately 15 hours on my Google Pixel 5. Immersed in its dynamic environments, I delved deep into the game to uncover every intricate detail. Now, I’m excited to share my journey with you. So, let’s embark on this adventure together!

Experience a zombie virus outbreak

The review for DARKEST DAYS follows a familiar zombie narrative; it’s set in a world overrun by a virus that turns humans into the undead. You begin your journey in a desolate landscape, resembling a post-apocalyptic setting. To maintain consistency with the storyline, the game mainly focuses on three distinct terrains: mountainous regions, icy landscapes, and townships.

Most of us developed an association with the undead following our viewing of Danny Boyle’s acclaimed film 28 Days Later, or if not, it was the classic Dawn Of The Dead that sparked our survival instinct in Zombieland. You too will share this experience once you delve into this game, as the infected are prevalent everywhere. In an attempt to contain the zombies, the government erected barriers to keep them confined.

Initially, the danger seemed to come from zombies, but it turned out that people within were actually the source of peril. Therefore, you made the wise decision to leave the safe zone as a means of self-preservation! Now, regarding the narrative style, let me clarify that it offers an immersive experience, making you feel like a direct participant rather than just a passive reader. You’ll be prompted to make choices, similar to a game, although major changes in the main storyline are limited.

As a gamer, here’s how I might put it: In this game, you not only get to hone your skills and level them up, but you’ll also have the company of fellow villagers, each with unique abilities to aid you in your journey. You’ll be constructing shelters, saving lives, battling rogues and zombies – all while staying deeply immersed in the gameplay. I find the title intriguing because it promises an engaging narrative.

Survive against zombie hordes in a vast open-world map

The map in this game is expansive; you’ll discover its size once you’ve activated the initial tower. After acquiring a vehicle, you can explore freely and progress through the narrative. There’s an expedited travel option available to save time, so you won’t have to worry about adhering strictly to traveling on foot. However, the gameplay feels somewhat rigid or awkward compared to my usual experience with a gyroscopic control, as it lacks the smoothness I’m accustomed to.

After blasting through the opening stages, you’ll notice a shift in pace. But don’t let that discourage you – this is mainly a survival game, and the real action comes after you’ve survived. The gunfire and interaction sounds in this game are truly impressive, I have to say. And as for any zombie game worth its salt, it offers a variety of shotguns to keep things interesting. The feel of the recoil and the sound of those weapons make this game a blast to play – literally!

Hey there, gaming enthusiast! While I was diving into this new title, I must admit, the gameplay felt a tad rigid. Don’t get me wrong, I was pretty stoked about it at first, especially with its impressive visuals. However, as I delved deeper, I noticed that during camera rotation or when firing, there seemed to be a slight lag – like some frames were missing. It’s hard to pinpoint the exact issue, but I believe a bit more polishing could make those moments smoother and more enjoyable. Keep an eye out for updates!

The gun sights aren’t noteworthy, and the guns are weak. The zombies are extremely strong, requiring multiple health gauges before defeating a Boo-like enemy. Two shots to its head won’t stop your fear as it advances!)

Survival title missing survival aspects

Even if you’re not deeply into zombie survival games, you might find that the title seems to lack certain key elements. While these aren’t absolutely necessary, they do form part of the game’s core aspects, more like extra features. Unlike other survival games, you won’t be constructing a shelter in this one.

Rather than relying on your own survival skills to avoid starvation, you should establish relationships with in-game characters who can aid you. However, the game does require you to navigate through an infected world, so it’s crucial to dodge attacks from the grotesque brain-eating creatures!

Outdated graphics and audio make the gameplay overwhelming

The adventure begins with a prelude featuring Jimmy Hancock rescuing you, followed by embarking on your RPG journey in Darkest Days. However, I found that the cutscenes could use some improvement, giving an impression of a game from several years past. Fortunately, this outdated feel fades away as soon as you dive into the gameplay itself.

The graphics aren’t faultless as some elements might seem unresponsive upon initial observation. Specifically, I found the oversized crosshair quite bothersome, taking up most of my screen space. While large crosshairs can be beneficial when using shotguns, it becomes a strain on the brain when wielding pistols and constantly seeing a large circular cross in your field of view.

It’s important to note the audio aspect too. It’s impressive how well-crafted and refined the background music is, but I can’t help but wonder if it aligns with the gameplay. I’ve tested various types of BGM that the game offers, and unfortunately, I found it incongruous during combat scenarios.

In narratives, this theme works effectively to generate excitement or suspense. However, when it comes to fight scenes, the excessive dramatization might become grating because it can seem overly dramatic, even in ordinary conflicts.

IAPs are missing the F2P gamer’s perspective

Let’s discuss the in-app purchase system within this game. It seems as though the developers were driven by some competitive spirit, which might have led them to make the IAP system less beneficial. There are no freebies here; even the pet system necessitates a purchase. A small concession could have been made, such as providing a complimentary companion. The progress within the game is quite sluggish, which may diminish your enjoyment.

Final Verdict

Although zombies don’t truly exist, they’re fictional characters from films, video games, and literature that we’ve grown up engaging with. There’s a psychological connection we feel towards these monsters, as they represent a chaotic world and our role as survivors within it. This is something that resonates with many people.

In this survival game, you’ll find enough thrill and excitement to last! It’s not the fear of zombies we’re familiar with, but rather the dread of becoming one. Unlike other supernatural creatures like Draculas, vampires, and werewolves, zombies may lack power, yet DARKEST DAYS promises to instill that same chilling fear in you too.

At the top, you’ll find an exhilarating adrenaline rush and the determination to keep going through the story. This game is particularly suited for those seeking another thrilling zombie survival adventure. While I can’t guarantee a top-notch experience, I hope you won’t be left feeling let down either.

DARKEST DAYS Review by GamingonPhone

Gameplay Mechanics – 6
Storyline – 7
Graphics and Music – 6.5
Controls and UI – 7
Free-to-Play Elements – 6

6.5

Average

On darker days, you’ll experience an exhilarating rollercoaster ride and a surge of adrenaline. But if you aren’t fond of this particular genre, it might not resonate deeply with you.

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2025-05-25 20:12

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