Deadly Days: Roadtrip

About

Deadly Days: Roadtrip is a single player hack and slash game. It was developed by Pixelsplit and was released on September 22, 2025. It received very positive reviews from players.

Deadly Days: Roadtrip is a 2.5D pixel zombie apocalypse adventure where each journey offers a unique, procedurally generated experience. Players scavenge and strategically pack overpowered weapons and items into a limited backpack space, combining their effects for maximum zombie-slaying power. Progress through stops, discover new characters, and seek legendary combos to conquer the final boss.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

91%

Audience ScoreBased on 455 reviews

gameplay32 positive mentions

grinding14 negative mentions

The game features an addictive gameplay loop that combines strategic inventory management with chaotic zombie combat.
The backpack system adds depth to the gameplay, allowing for creative builds and item synergies.
The art style and music create a charming atmosphere that enhances the overall experience.

Progression can feel slow and unbalanced, leading to frustration as players grind for upgrades.
The game suffers from performance issues, especially in later stages with many enemies and effects on screen.
Some players find the lack of variety in runs and repetitive gameplay to be a drawback.

gameplay
89 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
36%
60%
4%
The gameplay is widely praised for its addictive and satisfying core loop, featuring engaging mechanics like inventory management and character progression. While many players appreciate the frantic pace and unique elements such as the backpack system, some express concerns about the game's repetitiveness and the need for more content and variety in gameplay experiences. Overall, the game shows strong potential, especially in its early access state, but could benefit from further polish and additional features to enhance player engagement.
- “The gameplay is addictive, and while there is a lot of room to grow, what we have here is already solidly built and plenty of fun to be had.”
- “The core gameplay loop is incredibly satisfying.”
- “Fun, addictive gameplay loop.”
- “I don't mind grinding, but this slowness gets too much. Plus, you move like a snail until you can upgrade to be fast enough, which will likely take me about 10 hours of gameplay to achieve.”
- “Despite its many strengths, the game does present a steep learning curve that might challenge newcomers, especially those less familiar with roguelite mechanics.”
- “My main criticism here is the lack of mechanical variety and player engagement, not the literal amount of updates the team pushed out.”
music
22 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
45%
41%
14%
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some players praising its charm and ability to enhance the gameplay experience, while others find it lackluster or even frustrating. Many appreciate the atmospheric and dynamic elements of the soundtrack, which can elevate the intensity during battles, but some feel it can become repetitive or too laid-back for the game's action. Overall, the music seems to be an acquired taste, with a significant divide in player opinions on its quality and impact.
- “It's very charming, the music caught my attention which is very rare for me as I usually don't like most game OSTs, and although it is grindy, it's a very fun grind once things start clicking for you.”
- “Complementing the visual design is a dynamic soundtrack that ramps up the intensity during battles, effectively heightening the sense of urgency and immersion.”
- “Its lively art style and atmospheric soundtrack complement a gameplay experience that rewards both quick thinking and careful planning.”
- “The major thing lacking for me is the music, it's terrible and I had to turn it off, but then it felt empty and weird.”
- “I love the style, design, cute wobbling characters and zombies, the funny oldish comedy music (which is getting boring at like run 5-7, so I eventually had to mute it, sorry guys).”
- “Like they took a bunch of random songs from a copyright/royalty free music platform.”
story
20 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
15%
70%
15%
The game's story aspect is largely criticized for its lack of a cohesive narrative, with many players noting that there is no in-game story presented. While the permadeath mechanic and varied gameplay create unique experiences for each run, the overall structure feels repetitive and lacks depth, leaving players wanting more variety in missions and a more engaging storyline. Some players appreciate the emergent storytelling from gameplay moments, but the absence of a traditional narrative is a significant drawback.
- “The permadeath adds a real layer of tension—losing a favorite survivor can sting, but it makes every successful mission feel like a huge victory.”
- “That simple extract-or-press-on tension gives every run a story: the brutal retreat after a greedy detour, the heroic last stand that pays off with a perfect item, the clean, efficient sprint to a boss where everything just clicks.”
- “Every run feels different, and every mistake turns into a funny story you’ll want to share.”
- “There is little variety between runs in terms of enemies, terrain, mission objectives, etc., so they start to feel samey quickly.”
- “Despite having a few secret characters you can unlock with hints of a backstory, there's no in-game story presented, as of September 2025.”
- “The main story can feel a bit short, and while it does have an endless option, it doesn't seem worth it since you don't get any rewards from it (endless mode is currently in beta, maybe they'll change that).”
graphics
18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
22%
61%
17%
The graphics of the game are characterized by a charming and colorful pixel art style that effectively balances dark themes with a playful aesthetic, enhancing the overall experience. While the visuals are praised for their clarity and expressiveness, some users have noted performance issues, particularly with high GPU usage on modern hardware. Overall, the art style is considered a standout feature, contributing positively to the game's atmosphere and gameplay.
- “The pixel art style is charming and expressive, making the gruesome zombie hordes almost cute (almost!).”
- “The bright visuals help maintain clarity amid the chaotic combat scenarios, where waves of undead close in from all sides.”
- “100% GPU usage on an RTX 5080 is absolutely unacceptable for a game with such graphics and also for early access.”
- “Visually, Deadly Days: Roadtrip strikes a balance between dark themes and a colorful, almost cartoonish art style.”
- “This contrast softens the grim atmosphere of a zombie apocalypse with a playful aesthetic that is both inviting and clear in its top-down perspective.”
optimization
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
19%
62%
19%
The game's optimization has received mixed feedback, with players noting significant performance issues, particularly during busy gameplay moments that lead to lag and sound glitches. While the pixel art graphics are praised, the heavy calculations from numerous enemies and projectiles strain performance, suggesting a need for improvements. Despite these challenges, some players find the game runs adequately on platforms like the Steam Deck, and the unique inventory management system adds to its replayability.
- “Very fun little roguelike that has almost a vampire survivor-style gameplay with a heavy emphasis on inventory management and optimization.”
- “The unique inventory management and optimization allows for a lot of interesting builds, which of course makes replayability even more of a focus.”
- “Collecting items and puzzling out a build in a cramped backpack is fun to do - and the game is easy enough that you can get away with wackier unoptimized builds.”
- “The only real complaint I have is performance.”
- “Another big issue with the game is optimization.”
- “I really like the game, it's just halfway into a run I get massive performance issues, starts lagging like crazy and the sound is super glitchy, borderline unplayable. Even after the run and a game reset, it still is like that. I have a bunch of roguelike games and never had this issue before.”
grinding
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Reviews indicate that while the game offers a charming experience with enjoyable mechanics, the grinding aspect can become tedious and overly time-consuming, especially in the later stages. Players appreciate the initial fun of grinding but find that it leads to repetitive gameplay and a lack of variety, making long sessions feel burdensome. Overall, the grind is seen as a double-edged sword: it can be engaging at first but risks becoming a chore as players progress.
- “But it also feels like the devs are more focused on giving us mindless grinding that gets tiresome eventually (maybe to justify the price tag?) rather than a tight, fun experience that guarantees more people will finish the game.”
- “The more you progress in the game the less fun it becomes: you finish the first levels easily, you unlock new characters, gears, and (unnecessarily) bigger maps, but the game becomes more tedious.”
- “Running through the same few environments 50-500 times gets tedious quickly.”
humor
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is characterized by its quirky, dry, and deadpan style, complemented by chaotic events and amusing weaponry that keep each run fresh and entertaining. Players appreciate the charming pixel art and the funny interactions with characters and zombies, although some find the music repetitive after several sessions. Overall, the game offers a delightful blend of humor that enhances the gameplay experience, making it enjoyable for both casual and dedicated players.
- “Plus, the variety of weapons, upgrades, and hilarious events you encounter on the road ensures that no two runs ever feel quite the same.”
- “Chaotic and fun, the random events keep every run different and the humor is great; I had a blast the whole way through overall.”
- “Every run feels different, and every mistake turns into a funny story you’ll want to share.”
replayability
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The game offers significant replayability through its infinite mode, leaderboard features, and diverse team compositions, ensuring that each playthrough feels unique. Players are encouraged to experiment with different strategies and adapt to random challenges, enhancing the overall experience and longevity of the game.
- “The infinite mode and leaderboard add great replay value.”
- “The variety in team composition ensures that no two playthroughs feel the same, boosting replay value and encouraging players to try new tactics.”
- “However, this randomness also fuels the game’s replayability, pushing players to refine their strategies and respond creatively to new challenges.”
stability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
67%
The game's stability is mixed, with some users experiencing occasional glitches that hinder gameplay and build conceptualization, while others report significant issues like constant freezes that render the game unplayable. Overall, there is hope for future fixes, but current performance varies widely among players.
- “I'm on 3440x1440 and it runs great.”
- “The game has been incredibly stable, with no crashes or major bugs.”
- “I've played for hours without any performance issues, which is impressive.”
- “Of course there are glitches here and there that stop you from being able to fully conceptualize your ideas for builds, but I can only pray that they fix this and not mess it all up.”
- “Unfortunately, I have to change the review to negative, as I can't play it due to constant freezes.”
emotional
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is enhanced by well-developed characters whose diverse traits and backstories add depth to the narrative, making their struggle for survival resonate more profoundly with players.
- “The characters' different traits and personalities enrich the narrative, offering glimpses into their backstories and providing emotional weight to the struggle for survival.”
- “The game masterfully evokes a range of emotions, making players feel deeply connected to the characters and their journeys.”
- “Every decision feels impactful, as the emotional stakes are high, leaving players reflecting on their choices long after the game ends.”
monetization
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Many users express frustration with monetization practices in games, perceiving them as quick cash grabs by companies rather than fair or balanced systems. This sentiment highlights a growing concern over exploitative strategies that prioritize profit over player experience.
- “Why do so many companies do this for a quick cash grab?”
- “The monetization strategy feels exploitative and prioritizes profit over player experience.”
- “It's frustrating to see essential features locked behind paywalls.”
atmosphere
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's atmosphere blends a playful aesthetic with the grim setting of a zombie apocalypse, enhanced by a lively art style and an atmospheric soundtrack. This combination creates an inviting experience that encourages both quick thinking and strategic planning.
- “This contrast softens the grim atmosphere of a zombie apocalypse with a playful aesthetic that is both inviting and clear in its top-down perspective.”
- “Its lively art style and atmospheric soundtrack complement a gameplay experience that rewards both quick thinking and careful planning.”