Night of the Dead
- May 31, 2024
- Jackto Studios
- 12h median play time
Get on Steam"Night of the Dead" is a post-apocalyptic zombie survival game with a diverse world to explore. Build a base, automate production, and collaborate with followers to survive against various types of zombies and bosses in combat. Uncover the island's secrets and navigate through hidden dungeons, while upgrading your equipment and vehicle for safety.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- Engaging base building mechanics that allow for creative trap designs to fend off nightly zombie waves.
- Constant updates from the developers, adding new content and addressing issues, which shows commitment to improving the game.
- A large, diverse map with various biomes and a good variety of zombies, making exploration and combat exciting.
- The game suffers from performance issues, especially during horde nights, leading to frame drops and crashes.
- Combat mechanics can feel clunky and unresponsive, with inconsistent hit detection and awkward animations.
- The tutorial and quest system can be confusing, often leading to players feeling lost or frustrated with progression.
- gameplay776 mentions
- 27 % positive mentions
- 65 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The gameplay of this title has received mixed reviews, with some players praising its engaging mechanics, such as base building and tower defense elements, while others criticize its steep learning curve and lackluster tutorials. Many users noted the presence of bugs and glitches that detract from the experience, alongside repetitive gameplay loops that can become tedious over time. Overall, while the game shows potential with its unique mechanics and cooperative elements, it requires further refinement and polish to fully meet player expectations.
“🎮🤩 The gameplay is thrilling, and teamwork adds so much excitement.”
“The gameplay, a delicate dance between fortification and looting, provides a satisfying challenge that evolves even after extensive playtime.”
“I've just finished the main story with 169 hours of gameplay, and I must say, this game is incredible.”
“The gameplay itself is filled with bugs and glitches that make it nearly unplayable.”
“Boring and very bad gameplay and design in every aspect.”
“The mechanics of the game are a little wonky, but over time, I think the development team will improve.”
- story696 mentions
- 13 % positive mentions
- 78 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The story in "Night of the Dead" has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it underwhelming and poorly executed. While some appreciate the attempt to integrate a narrative with quests and journal entries, others criticize it as clichéd, disjointed, and lacking depth, often feeling like a mere backdrop to the core survival gameplay. Overall, the story seems to serve more as a guide for progression rather than a compelling element of the game, leading to a sentiment that it requires significant improvement to enhance player engagement.
“The story arc has brought meaning to the building and progression system.”
“The crafting system is really involved, the story so far is good, and the looting and kiosks are fantastic.”
“The detailed graphics, storyline, and an easy to use crafting system create a dynamic world that keeps players hooked.”
“The story is bad right off the rip, it breaks immersion with its constant interjection into learning the system.”
“The story flat was just thrown together at the last minute to give the game a story, and it shows entirely.”
“The main story is boring and clichéd, with an ending that doesn’t make a lot of sense, and other debatable non sequiturs in the narrative or characters.”
- graphics562 mentions
- 41 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The graphics of "Night of the Dead" receive mixed reviews, with some players praising the visuals as a significant improvement over similar titles like "7 Days to Die," while others criticize them as outdated or poorly optimized. Many comments highlight decent graphics and smooth performance, but also note issues such as graphical glitches, low-quality textures, and a lack of fluid animations. Overall, while the game shows potential with its aesthetic appeal, it still requires further optimization and refinement to meet modern standards.
“The graphics are amazing, great company, known as 'unreal engine'.”
“The graphics are very good, character animation is excellent and the building side of the game is spot on.”
“This game is like 7 days to die, but with modern graphics.”
“The voice acting is painful to listen to, the animations are amateurish at best and just downright embarrassing at worst, the graphics look like a 2005 tech demo for Unreal Engine 2, and the laziness of character design... well, the first NPC you meet is you, same model, same outfit, same skin, that's just lazy.”
“The general low quality of visuals, especially textures, and the immersion-breaking fact that 90% of buildings are just props that can’t be entered, detracts from the realistic feeling.”
“Overall gameplay is fun but the graphics are nauseatingly bad.”
- optimization308 mentions
- 16 % positive mentions
- 58 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting significant performance issues, especially in multiplayer settings and during intense gameplay scenarios. While some updates have improved stability and playability, numerous users still experience frame drops, crashes, and high system demands, indicating that further optimization is necessary. Overall, while there are moments of good performance, the game is often criticized for being poorly optimized, particularly for lower-end hardware.
“After the last update, the optimization has clearly improved and with this, the playability.”
“The developers clearly prioritized a stable and enjoyable performance, which enhances the overall experience.”
“While already an extremely optimized, well thought-out game, with a bit more polish and time, this game will be the first indie game I've ever seen that has reached a status of AAA.”
“The performance of this game is abysmal.”
“However, the game just isn't properly optimized.”
“This game has a lot of potential; unfortunately, this potential is squashed by the poor optimization.”
- grinding284 mentions
- 1 % positive mentions
- 5 % neutral mentions
- 94 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of "Night of the Dead" is a significant point of contention among players, with many describing it as excessively tedious and repetitive, particularly in resource gathering and crafting. While some find the grind rewarding and engaging, especially with the game's building and survival mechanics, others feel it detracts from the overall enjoyment, leading to frustration and a sense of monotony. Overall, the game offers a mix of fun and grind, appealing primarily to those who enjoy extensive resource management and crafting in a survival setting.
“A lot of items, weapons, and buildings can be crafted, but the amount of resources required to build is reasonable and not tedious.”
“Base building isn't too grindy and there is lots of customization.”
“Me and my daughter also agree that this game is not grindy - didn't find that at all.”
“The gathering is so incredibly grindy and unrewarding.”
“- excessive resource grinding: the game’s reliance on constant resource collection can become tedious quickly, detracting from exploration and combat.”
“Gameplay is repetitive and there is nothing much to do besides grinding the same tasks over and over.”
- stability220 mentions
- 3 % positive mentions
- 2 % neutral mentions
- 95 % negative mentions
The game's stability is a significant concern, with many players reporting numerous bugs and glitches that hinder gameplay, particularly in multiplayer modes. While some users have experienced smooth performance on higher-end hardware, others face frequent crashes, freezing, and issues with game mechanics, making it feel unpolished and frustrating. Overall, the game is still in early access, and while it shows potential, it requires substantial improvements in stability and optimization.
“Runs great even in 4K on semi-dated hardware.”
“So far, it's optimized really well. I have a mid to high-tier PC, and it runs great. Some areas in the town do have lower FPS, but for so early on in development, I'd say it's really good.”
“Loads fast and runs well with nearly no glitches.”
“The gameplay itself is filled with bugs and glitches that make it nearly unplayable.”
“It's an unpolished, buggy mess with horrible AI.”
“This is especially a bummer if you put many hours into building your base, learning the crafting system, tracking down key items from all over a huge map, only to end up with the framerate of the game becoming so slow and buggy that you can't continue.”
- replayability54 mentions
- 26 % positive mentions
- 69 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The game's replayability is a mixed bag among users; while some appreciate the potential for varied gameplay through base building and multiplayer options, others criticize its lack of depth and content, leading to a quick loss of interest. Many feel that the absence of random map generation and mod support limits replay value compared to similar titles like "7 Days to Die." Overall, while there are elements that can enhance replayability, such as crafting and difficulty modes, the game may not sustain long-term engagement for all players.
“I think it will have a lot of replayability, and because anyone can run a private server, you don't need to worry about the game being plagued with cheaters like so many other online games these days.”
“Building different bases in different difficulty modes is what gives it a lot of replayability.”
“Pro: great crafting and setups you can build a lot of cool things that will keep you interested in that aspect of the game for hours and hours; lots of replayability here.”
“Update game has actually zero replay value, unlike 7 Days to Die with random map generator and all the mods.”
“Replayability: personally I don't see this game lasting very long, it will be a game that gets boring really fast, because really all you do is build a base and get attacked by waves of zombies every night. There is almost no story, there is no economy (you can't buy or sell anything), there are no other NPCs in the game other than zombies until the very end (if you actually follow the story). Playing co-op is the only way you're going to have any interaction with anyone other than zombies (and zombies don't talk much).”
“Once you understand the mechanics of the game, and what you're supposed to do, it can be beaten too easily and with almost no desire for replayability.”
- humor52 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely appreciated, with players finding the chaotic zombie attacks, quirky traps, and absurd physics-based interactions to be both hilarious and entertaining. The voice acting, while sometimes clunky, adds to the comedic experience, especially during early quests. Overall, the game's blend of dark humor, unexpected moments, and amusing bugs creates a lighthearted atmosphere that enhances the gameplay experience.
“The voice acting for the beginning quest had me tearing up from laughing; one of those moments it's so 'good' it becomes hilarious.”
“It's really funny to see how the head of a really tough zombie flies off in the air after he is stuck on your deviously planned trap(s).”
“Expect a lot of crazy traps, and sometimes it can get really crazy and funny because how they work is kind of unpredictable.”
- music44 mentions
- 23 % positive mentions
- 70 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The music in "Night of the Dead" receives mixed reviews, with some players finding the soundtrack solid and atmospheric, particularly during wave events, while others describe it as underwhelming and sparse, leading them to turn off the in-game music entirely. Many suggest that the game would benefit from more ambient music to enhance the overall experience, as the current sound design often leaves players feeling that the game is too quiet. Overall, while some appreciate the audio work, others feel it detracts from the gameplay.
“Great audio work haunts the corpse-riddled, vomit-retching, rotting landscapes of Night of the Dead with heart-pounding placement, such as the natural sounds of the environment playing during most of the day. But once a wave appears, menacing music starts up with a purified, all-consuming evil.”
“Furthermore, the game's soundtrack was a delightful complement to the overall experience.”
“It's always exciting when the wave starts and the music kicks in.”
“The soundtrack in the game is underwhelming.”
“I just turn the music off and the game improves tenfold, in my opinion.”
“It needs ambient music to add to the mood and feeling of the situation in the game.”
- character development22 mentions
- 36 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
Character development in the game has received mixed reviews, with some praising the intricate quests and storytelling that enhance immersion, while others criticize the limited progression and lack of traits. The character designs, particularly for zombies and the main character, are noted as highlights, but many players express a desire for more depth and customization options. Overall, while the base building and crafting elements contribute positively to the experience, the character development aspect feels underwhelming and in need of improvement.
“Playing with 4 other buddies and the base building, crafting, and character development makes it a much richer experience than expected.”
“The intricately designed quests and challenges allowed for a truly immersive experience, while the attention to detail in character development and storytelling further enhanced my enjoyment.”
“Ps: probably not the most popular feature for most but I must say the main character design is brilliant, gorgeous, Lara Croft level good!”
“The voice acting is painful to listen to, the animations are amateurish at best and just downright embarrassing at worst. The graphics look like a 2005 tech demo for Unreal Engine 2, and the laziness of character design is evident; the first NPC you meet is you, with the same model, same outfit, and same skin. That's just lazy.”
“Character development is limited for now; I hope they can add more to it later because I was maxed out by day 9.”
“Character development (through research) is hard to keep track of; there needs to be some character info.”
- atmosphere20 mentions
- 80 % positive mentions
- 10 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its atmospheric sound design and visuals, which effectively enhance the horror elements and create an immersive experience. Players appreciate the eerie audio and environmental sounds that contribute to a sense of tension, while the use of Unreal Engine adds depth to the world. However, some users feel that the game can feel empty at times, detracting from the overall atmosphere.
“The carefully selected compositions enhanced the mood of each scene, immersing me further into the game's universe and creating a truly unforgettable atmosphere.”
“The visuals and atmosphere are beautiful but still have an eerie peacefulness that will make you look behind you every few minutes.”
“The atmosphere of the game is also really awesome (great sounds and visuals).”
“The world feels dead and empty (no pun intended); there is absolutely no atmosphere at all.”
- monetization14 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy of the game heavily relies on ads, which can hinder gameplay by slowing down movement and requiring players to watch ads to access certain features. While some players express concern about the prevalence of ads and the potential for the game to become a cash grab, many appreciate the developers' commitment to regular updates and community engagement, suggesting that the game has the potential to evolve positively. Overall, the game is seen as a refreshing alternative to typical early access titles that often lack content and polish.
“Yep, that's right, it's impossible to fire without ads.”
“Ads make you move slow.”
“You have to watch ads to use them.”
- emotional6 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players express a mix of frustration and emotional investment in the game, feeling disheartened by gameplay mechanics that lead to repeated failures and resource scarcity. The emotional toll of struggling against the game's challenges, such as resource depletion and difficult encounters, is evident, with some players feeling that their efforts are undervalued despite their investment in the game. Overall, the emotional experience is characterized by a blend of disappointment and the thrill of survival, highlighting the game's capacity to evoke strong feelings.
“No, you made me feel like I suck after paying for the game - and I don't suck.”
“Using a lot of ammo on a wave is heartbreaking, but it's a survival game; what do you expect?”
