Dead State: Reanimated

Satisfying, pen-and-paper-style zombie storytelling that's somewhat blandly presented and burdened by bugs. A worthy RPG that would've benefited from more budget.

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Dead State is a single-player horror turn-based strategy RPG set in a post-apocalyptic world. As the leader of a survivor group, you must manage resources, negotiate with other factions, and defend against the undead, with an emphasis on survival. The game features base building, tactical combat, and reactive storylines, with a mix of humor and a wholesome story in a full-fledged RPG experience. However, it is known to have many bugs and can be very grinding.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Reviews

60%

Audience ScoreBased on 2,924 reviews

story225 positive mentions

stability248 negative mentions

Engaging base-building and resource management mechanics that keep players invested in the survival aspect.
Strong writing and character development, with diverse and interesting NPCs that add depth to the story.
Tactical turn-based combat that allows for strategic planning and decision-making during encounters.

Frequent crashes and bugs that disrupt gameplay and can lead to lost progress.
Clunky user interface and inventory management that make it tedious to navigate and manage resources.
Repetitive gameplay, especially in the late game, where the challenge diminishes and the pacing slows down significantly.

story
861 mentions
26 % positive mentions
70 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The story in "Dead State" is characterized by its strong environmental storytelling and character-driven narratives, immersing players in a believable zombie apocalypse scenario. While many players appreciate the depth of individual character backstories and the moral choices that impact gameplay, some criticize the overall plot for being generic and suffering from pacing issues, particularly in the latter stages where it can feel repetitive or grindy. Additionally, technical bugs and incomplete quests detract from the narrative experience, leaving some players wanting a more polished and expansive storyline.
- “It's also got some pretty damn good writing, especially with environmental storytelling.”
- “The story elements keep things intimate and the whole scale of everything is nicely turned down (no super zombies here).”
- “The story is where this really shines, and there are some choices and consequences that lend it some replayability.”
- “Unfortunately, Dead State doesn't offer as much in the way of character customization or NPC interaction with multiple quest outcomes or dialogue options, so vast that multiple playthrough attempts may not unearth every one.”
- “In my opinion, the lack of an actual story, the lack of relevant character interactions, and lack of sense of progression towards a goal make this game pointless.”
- “The story feels non-existent, the characters are super bland and boring after the first few.”
gameplay
645 mentions
22 % positive mentions
65 % neutral mentions
13 % negative mentions
The gameplay of this title is a mix of base-building, turn-based combat, and character management, reminiscent of classic RPGs like Fallout and XCOM. While it offers a unique zombie survival experience with engaging mechanics and a strong narrative, many players report significant bugs, repetitive gameplay, and a lack of depth in combat mechanics, which can detract from the overall experience. Despite its flaws, the game has moments of tension and strategy that some players find rewarding, especially when approached in small doses.
- “It's base-building, people management, player leveling with a skill tree, important dialogue choices, multiple endings, and turn-based combat with a sound mechanic.”
- “Its quite unique as it's a zombie apocalypse game with a combat system that's like a simplistic version of XCOM, but it has community building and human resource management aspects like that of city building games, and it has survival elements, but also has RPG mechanics like skills, perks, and stats, along with a whole slew of dialog options that actually shape and make a difference in the world.”
- “This is a fantastic turn-based tactical combat game with base management and survival mechanics.”
- “The biggest downside is that combat is pretty stripped down; no stance chances, no targeting specific body parts, no movement formations and no cover mechanics.”
- “This game is a pile of bugs and broken mechanics.”
- “The gameplay is just too much of a chore for me to recommend the game for its writing, which while good isn't so good its worth trudging through the rest of the game for.”
graphics
307 mentions
17 % positive mentions
68 % neutral mentions
15 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with many players noting significant graphical glitches and a lack of polish that detracts from the overall experience. While some appreciate the game's aesthetic and atmosphere, others criticize the dated visuals and technical issues, particularly on higher resolution settings. Overall, the graphics are considered functional but not impressive, often described as basic or reminiscent of older titles, which may not appeal to players seeking modern graphical fidelity.
- “The feel of the graphics also contributed to the great atmosphere.”
- “The graphics are good for a small development team, but not exceptional.”
- “I want to highlight some good things that this game has: the open world exploration, the map is huge and lots of places to explore, the graphics are clean and detailed, the storyline, and of course the base building management.”
- “First of all, with the technical issues: this game is a mess of bugs and graphical issues, and severely lacks polish.”
- “The graphics are also a mess: there is no native borderless windowed fullscreen option, leaving you to either play the game in a windowed state or in a fullscreen state that's really irritating and keeps trying to resize the system default.”
- “To start with the bad: the game's graphics are primitive, and the engine it's built on, the Torque 3D, was already a bit long in the tooth even when they started.”
stability
262 mentions
5 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
95 % negative mentions
The game's stability has been widely criticized, with numerous users reporting frequent crashes, graphical glitches, and various bugs that significantly disrupt gameplay. While some players have experienced fewer issues and found the game enjoyable despite its flaws, many agree that it remains in a buggy and unfinished state, making it difficult to recommend without reservations. Overall, players are advised to approach the game with caution, as its stability issues can detract from the overall experience.
- “The game appears more or less bug free at this point. In 111 hours, I encountered only two bugs: an unlootable medicine chest due to bad door placement, and a one-time event where a baseball bat allowed a ranged attack.”
- “Despite what other reviewers may have said, this game is relatively bug free.”
- “It's come a long way since the 7 days beta, and is very playable, and almost game-breakingly bug free now.”
- “Unfortunately, it's buggy and incomplete and I can't recommend this game to a friend.”
- “In what was the most apparent and appalling cash-grab I have ever seen by any professional entity, Double Bear Studios knowingly and willingly released this game in an unfinished, buggy, crash-ridden state.”
- “The game does have some interface and gameplay issues, and there have been a lot of reports from users about crashes as well as glitches and bugs ranging from annoying to game-breaking throughout the game's release history.”
replayability
114 mentions
21 % positive mentions
65 % neutral mentions
14 % negative mentions
The game's replayability is a mixed bag, with some players finding it highly replayable due to multiple endings, character interactions, and unique story arcs, while others criticize it for being predictable and repetitive after the initial playthrough. Many reviews highlight that while there are elements that encourage replay, such as achievement hunting and different character classes, the overall experience can feel limited due to known outcomes and lack of significant changes in subsequent runs. Overall, the consensus suggests that replayability exists but varies greatly depending on player engagement and expectations.
- “Game is a ton of fun with a lot of replayability.”
- “In addition, the hidden characters, unique items, and story arcs make this game highly replayable.”
- “There are multiple endings and hours of replayability with the many different dialog trees.”
- “It lacks replayability; however, it's more than simple enough to complete all of the content in a single playthrough.”
- “No replayability; once you play, you know where everything is going to be.”
- “The big downside for me is the replayability; it is absent, the game is the same over and over again.”
grinding
98 mentions
2 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
98 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game is widely criticized for being tedious and repetitive, with players noting that inventory management, combat, and base management often feel laborious and slow-paced. Many reviewers expressed frustration with the lack of meaningful progression and the drawn-out nature of combat encounters, leading to a sense of boredom and disengagement as the game progresses. While some players found enjoyment in certain features, the overall consensus is that the grinding elements detract significantly from the experience.
- “Now, this would be a big change, but one that would breathe some more life into an already interesting, if not grindy game.”
- “The game just becomes boring and tedious to play.”
- “Yes, it has major flaws (I love the concept of the round-based fighting system, but it simply sucks! Fighting zombies gets really tedious, especially that you have to wait up to 20-30 seconds every round on some maps with a lot of zombies, because the game has to go through every single zombie on the map - not only the ones you are actually fighting against).”
- “The game would've been recommended if it had the gameplay of a title like State of Decay, but since 90% of the game is average to downright tedious and boring, I cannot recommend it, not even for a Steam sale.”
atmosphere
86 mentions
56 % positive mentions
41 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its immersive and realistic portrayal of a zombie apocalypse, effectively enhancing the storytelling and gameplay experience. Players appreciate the detailed environments, well-crafted narratives, and the sense of foreboding that permeates the game, although some note that minimalistic sound design detracts from the overall atmosphere. Overall, the combination of pacing, environmental storytelling, and character interactions creates a gripping and atmospheric experience that resonates with fans of the genre.
- “It told a fantastic zombie story through the immersion it produced, like all great zombie movies and shows, through the measured layering of pace, atmosphere, story, and gameplay.”
- “This game creates a tremendous sense of atmosphere and freedom: every place, however insignificant, has a story if you look closely, and the game throws plot events at you at a slow but believable pace that lets you explore and deal with the crises that emerge naturally from the dynamics of the world and your own play style.”
- “Superb apocalyptic atmosphere, but still with some hope, which I rarely feel in other games like this.”
- “Minimalistic sound and music design serve to the detriment of the game’s atmosphere.”
- “It's a slow burn and starts to shine some hours in; it oozes atmosphere and thoughtfulness, but dang is it dull sometimes.”
- “The maps are detailed, and the atmosphere does succeed in creating an end of the world vibe.”
music
82 mentions
15 % positive mentions
71 % neutral mentions
15 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received largely negative feedback, with many players describing it as repetitive, bland, and unmemorable, particularly criticizing the combat themes as irritating. While some found the soundtrack to fit the game's atmosphere, the overall consensus is that the audio design lacks variety and fails to enhance the gaming experience. A few players noted that the music could be effective in certain contexts, but it ultimately falls short of leaving a lasting impression.
- “Single player only; story, character development, and music in this gem are fantastic.”
- “The soundtrack is eerie.”
- “The music and sounds fit the scenery well and add to the already creepy/scary atmosphere.”
- “- the music is repetitive, mostly bland, and the combat themes are just atrocious.”
- “Music is stale and there isn't any ambient music.”
- “There is no audio where there should be, there is 'music' but it's the same depressing music, while at the school and the same music for combat.. ho humm boring.”
humor
32 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its clever writing and a blend of subtle and dark humor, often referencing other games and pop culture. Despite its bleak setting, players find the humor engaging and integral to the experience, with funny characters and situations that enhance gameplay. However, some aspects, like the combat system, can be frustrating, yet the overall comedic tone remains a highlight.
- “The game has a nice sense of humor to it, despite the bleak setting.”
- “The topics of discussion are life and death; the answers are realistic, sometimes grim, and darkly humorous or a distraction used prior to a sneak-attack.”
- “It is a travel around an area map in search of locations for encounters kind of game that has base management, personality conflicts you must settle, and a humor to it.”
optimization
26 mentions
23 % positive mentions
23 % neutral mentions
54 % negative mentions
The game's optimization is widely criticized, with players reporting frequent crashes and performance issues even on high-end systems. Many have noted that it struggles to run smoothly on lower settings, leading to stuttering and freezing, while some users found it performs better on Linux with Proton. Overall, the optimization is described as abysmal, detracting from an otherwise enjoyable gameplay experience.
- “Runs smoothly on Linux with Proton.”
- “Once you have 20+ mouths to feed, you have to be sure everything is going to run smoothly.”
- “- A great mix of Fallout/Wasteland 2/Fallout Tactics/XCOM and even... The Sims :) Turn-based combat and real-time movement, when time is running only when you want it to run, makes gameplay run smoothly, at your own preferred pace.”
- “Beneath the poor optimization, constant and incessant crashing (on Windows 10), there is a true isometric gem.”
- “The optimization in this game is abysmal.”
- “Post submission edit: this game is literally impossible to play on lower graphic settings due to intense stuttering and freezing that doesn't occur on higher settings.”
emotional
18 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The game excels in creating unique and heartbreaking narratives, with well-written characters that evoke genuine emotional moments. However, the morale system can lead to unpredictable and frustrating NPC behavior, detracting from the overall emotional experience. While the storytelling is engaging, the lack of impactful sound design limits the potential to enhance the emotional atmosphere further.
- “Every run through is a little different and the stories are equally unique and heartbreaking.”
- “The writing of most characters is very well done, to the point that it creates some genuinely emotional moments.”
- “And that storytelling is what held my interest throughout the entire game - I nearly could forgive all the monotonous scavenging if it meant more lovingly written, well-researched bits about how the world fell to the zombies, about astronauts losing their minds on the ISS, interactions between survivors, between militia groups, and the little emotional ecosystem going on in the shelter.”
character development
18 mentions
33 % positive mentions
50 % neutral mentions
17 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is widely praised for its depth and integration into the narrative, with players appreciating the well-crafted backstories and engaging dialogue options that allow for meaningful player choices. While some critiques mention that the animation and overall presentation may not match the quality of other titles, the writing and character interactions are highlighted as standout features that enhance the gameplay experience. Overall, the game successfully combines character development with strategic elements, making it a compelling choice for players who value storytelling.
- “Single player only; story, character development, and music in this gem are fantastic.”
- “I really, really liked this game when it came out as it was exactly what I was looking for; a survival turn-based strategy game with an actual backstory, base management, and character development.”
- “Dialogue gives many options and can be directly impacted by negotiation and leadership skills, which adds more challenges to player character development.”
- “However, animation-wise as well as character development-wise, it falls miles and miles low from even Telltale's The Walking Dead.”
- “If having to spend a dull 30 minutes scavenging in the late game doesn't scare you off, the game's worth picking up for its writing, character development, and select tense encounters.”
- “It reminds me of Jagged Alliance 2 with way better character development and zombies.”
monetization
2 mentions
0 % positive mentions
-50 % neutral mentions
150 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy has been criticized as excessively intrusive, with users finding it more frustrating than watching advertisements.
- “It's worse than watching an advertisement.”
- “The monetization is incredibly frustrating and feels exploitative.”
- “I feel like I'm being pushed to spend money just to enjoy the game.”