Cataclysm: Dark Days Ahead

About

Cataclysm: Dark Days Ahead is a single player role playing game. It was developed by CleverRaven and was released on March 31, 2023. It received very positive reviews from players.

In Cataclysm: Dark Days Ahead, survive an apocalyptic wasteland by crafting tools, killing monsters, and building your home base. This survival RPG features a turn-based play system and RPG-like skill progression, with a vast open world full of secrets to discover. With every playthrough different, prepare for a challenging and ever-changing experience.

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Single-Player

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93%

Audience ScoreBased on 474 reviews

gameplay4 positive mentions

graphics3 negative mentions

Incredible depth and complexity, offering a unique survival experience with endless possibilities.
Highly replayable with a vast array of crafting options, character builds, and emergent gameplay.
Strong community support and frequent updates, making it a continuously evolving game.

Steep learning curve that can be overwhelming for new players, requiring external resources to understand mechanics.
Technical issues with the Steam version, including broken features and lack of support for certain functionalities.
The game is available for free, leading to concerns about the value of the paid Steam version.

gameplay
46 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
9%
84%
7%
The gameplay is characterized by its frantic pace and high stakes, offering a complex array of mechanics that may challenge newcomers but become manageable with practice. Players can explore a richly detailed world where monsters evolve and survival requires strategic thinking, crafting, and resource management. The game encourages exploration and experimentation, providing a deep and organic experience that caters to various playstyles, making it a standout in the post-apocalyptic RPG genre.
- “This game has the deepest, most elaborate game mechanics I've ever encountered.”
- “Pretty much the ultimate post-apocalyptic RPG in terms of player freedom and mechanical depth.”
- “The survival mechanics for keeping yourself alive, well fed, warm, and safe from the elements all lead to such a great and organic experience.”
- “There are many mechanics to understand that even newcomers might have a hard time grasping. You may die a lot, but once you get the fundamentals of the game, it won't be too difficult.”
- “The mechanics, keybinds, and UI can seem a bit arcane at first, but within just a few characters, you'll have a basic grasp. From there, there really is such a breadth and depth of content to explore; it's overwhelming.”
- “The depth of crafting, the number of mechanics, and the options are so vast that I could not count them all here.”
graphics
32 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
6%
85%
9%
The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with many players noting their simplicity and pixelated style, which may initially deter some. However, several reviewers emphasize that the graphics do not detract from the game's depth and overall experience, encouraging players to look beyond the visuals to appreciate the gameplay. While the aesthetic may be rough and traditional, particularly with the use of ASCII characters, it is praised for its unique charm and the extensive customization options available.
- “Convenient controls and uncluttered, stylish graphics.”
- “This is unironically one of the best survival games of all time, with actual emphasis on 'survival', do not let the ASCII graphics fool you.”
- “At first you don't understand what you're looking at, why are these graphics so basic?”
- “There would be no way for the game to be this deep, or be developed as fast if the graphics were better.”
- “Yeah, it doesn't have modern visuals and the way vehicles look when they turn is awkward.”
replayability
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
42%
25%
"Cataclysm: Dark Days Ahead" is praised for its exceptional replayability, offering near unlimited value through diverse world and character creation options. Players appreciate the game's open-ended nature, ensuring that no two playthroughs are alike, which leads to countless possibilities and unique experiences. Overall, it stands out as a game with unmatched replayability and customization.
- “Overall, Cataclysm is an exceptional game that offers players unparalleled replayability and customization options.”
- “The replayability is unmatchable with its world and character creation.”
- “The game's open-ended nature also means that no two playthroughs are the same, making for endless replayability.”
- “Considering the near unlimited replay value that Cataclysm: Dark Days Ahead provides, I believe it is priced fairly.”
grinding
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The grinding aspect of the game is widely criticized for being tedious and bloated, with players noting that the high level of immersion leads to a frustrating crafting experience. Many reviewers express concern over the developers' plans to increase grindiness, suggesting that mastering skills could take years, which detracts from enjoyment and limits player choice. Overall, the grinding mechanics are seen as a significant drawback compared to other stable releases.
- “Tedious, bloated, and just grindy.”
- “Just go get the free version, and even then they're going to be making the game infinitely more grindy (according to the devs it'll take actual years to master certain skills) to force you to make use of the janky NPC system.”
- “It is less enjoyable, far more tedious, and more restrictive in terms of player choice than any other stable release I've played so far.”
story
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
20%
60%
20%
The game's story is rich and diverse, featuring a wide array of fantastical characters and creatures, including cyborgs, mutants, and wizards. Players can build friendships with NPCs, who accompany them on missions and aid in battles, while completing quests that yield powerful gear. Each gameplay session promises unique narratives and memorable experiences.
- “Complete various quests for unique NPCs to get powerful gear like power armor or even futuristic guns.”
- “And after every run, I guarantee you'll have a story to tell.”
- “My favorite character story:”
humor
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is described as both frequent and absurd, blending comedic elements with a sense of terror. Players find amusement in the quirky retro graphics and the bizarre scenarios, such as transforming into grotesque characters, which adds a lighthearted touch to the otherwise intense gameplay. Overall, the humor enhances the experience, making it enjoyable despite its darker themes.
- “Often humorous, and equally terrifying.”
- “Incomprehensible layers of menus and funny little retro-spritey character jerking around the screen.”
- “Me when I mutate myself into a freakish abomination with advanced military-grade bionics (there's a funny looking zombie outside).”
stability
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's stability is frequently criticized, with users reporting that it often fails to function properly, particularly when interacting with the Steam overlay, which can freeze the game and necessitate force-quitting. Despite receiving daily updates, many of these changes are unstable and introduce various errors and glitches, especially in the experimental version. Overall, players express a strong need for improved integration and stability.
- “Most of the time it simply doesn't work, and sometimes it brings up the Steam overlay which freezes the game, forcing me to force-quit at times.”
- “I hope that more effort is put into integration with the Steam overlay, which freezes the game (or Steam?) if you attempt to 'backtab' using the default 'shift-tab' keyboard shortcut, a vital command in the game.”
- “It gets updates basically daily, but they may not all be stable changes or complete; errors, glitches, and unfinished systems are extremely common on experimental.”
monetization
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The monetization strategy of the game has been criticized as a blatant cash grab, with some users expressing frustration over perceived exploitation by the developers. However, there are also comments suggesting that the monetization is directed towards a more engaged developer, indicating a mixed reception.
- “Don't fall for this blatant cash grab.”
- “Some people are complaining that this is a cash grab by the devs even though consideration was taken and it's only being given to one of the more 'involved' devs.”
emotional
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players express a profound emotional impact from the game, particularly highlighting feelings of intimidation and gratitude. The experience is described as uniquely engaging, evoking deep appreciation for the developers and the enjoyment derived from the gameplay.
- “I've been playing video games for over 25 years, and nothing has ever made me feel as intimidated as I did during the first hour of this game.”
- “I'm tempted to make some kind of meme-y, joke-y review, but honestly, I feel I would be cheating the developers of my heartfelt gratitude for genuinely thousands of hours of some of the most fun I've had in a game, full stop, at no cost.”
atmosphere
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The atmosphere of the game is praised for its unique sense of infinite freedom within a dynamic, living apocalyptic world, which sets it apart from its successors like Project Zomboid and 7 Days to Die, as they fail to replicate this immersive experience and the overarching global threats present in the original.
- “None of its descendants, like Project Zomboid or 7 Days to Die, have managed to capture the atmosphere of infinite freedom in a living, breathing apocalyptic world, nor do they present the global threats that you have to deal with here.”

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Frequently Asked Questions

Cataclysm: Dark Days Ahead is a role playing game.

Cataclysm: Dark Days Ahead is available on PC, Windows and Linux.

Cataclysm: Dark Days Ahead was released on March 31, 2023.

Cataclysm: Dark Days Ahead was developed by CleverRaven.

Cataclysm: Dark Days Ahead has received very positive reviews from players. Most players liked this game for its gameplay but disliked it for its graphics.

Cataclysm: Dark Days Ahead is a single player game.

Similar games include Caves of Qud, Project Zomboid, ADOM (Ancient Domains Of Mystery), VEIN, Tales of Maj'Eyal and others.

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