If you’re a fan of survival games with a tense, gritty atmosphere, you might want to check out Into the Dead: Our Darkest Days. This side-scrolling shelter survival game recently hit early access on Steam, and it’s already stirring up some strong opinions. Whether you’ve played the Into the Dead: Our Darkest Days demo or are just hearing about it now, there’s a lot to unpack.

What’s the Game About?
Set in 1980s Texas, Into the Dead: Our Darkest Days drops you into Walton City, a place overrun by a brutal zombie outbreak. Right from the start, you’ll need to pick a pair of survivors to begin your journey. Each duo comes with its strengths and weaknesses, so choosing wisely is key.

Once you’re settled in your shelter, the real challenge begins. You’ll assign tasks to your survivors—some might need to sleep. While others scavenge for supplies, cook food, or craft barricades to keep the undead at bay. The game’s art style is striking, with a moody, cinematic feel that pulls you into its desperate world.
How to Play the Into the Dead: Our Darkest Days Demo
If you’re curious about the game but not ready to commit to early access, you can try the Into the Dead: Our Darkest Days demo on Steam. While the demo doesn’t include all the features of the full early access version, it gives a solid taste of the survival mechanics, shelter management, and zombie threats you’ll face.

Simply head to the game’s Steam page, look for the “Download Demo” button, and start your fight for survival. Keep in mind that progress from the demo doesn’t carry over to the full game, but it’s a great way to see if the hardcore survival style suits you before buying.
Survival Mechanics That Keep You on Your Toes
The Into the Dead: Our Darkest Days demo gave players a taste of its unforgiving survival mechanics, and the early access version doubles down on that. You’ll need to manage hunger, fatigue, and morale while making tough decisions about who stays behind and who risks their life outside.

Upgrading your shelter is crucial, but resources are scarce. Weapons break quickly, zombies are relentless, and one wrong move can mean losing a survivor permanently. There’s no save feature, so every mistake—or bug—could cost you hours of progress. Some players loved the tension in the Into the Dead: Our Darkest Days demo, but others found it overly punishing.
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Key Survival Elements:
- Shelter-first gameplay – Your base is your lifeline (upgrade defenses, assign tasks)
- Permanent consequences – Dead survivors stay dead, and failed missions hurt morale
- Mental state management – Hunger, exhaustion, and despair impact performance
- No do-overs – The game autosaves constantly (no reloading mistakes)
Early Access Growing Pains: Into the Dead: Our Darkest Days Demo
Since the Into the Dead: Our Darkest Days demo, players have raised concerns about weapon durability and zombie difficulty. Unfortunately, many of these issues remain in the early access version. The developers have promised at least a year of updates, so hopefully, balancing changes are on the way.

Another frustration? Moving shelters doesn’t let you take your inventory with you. It makes sense realistically, but in-game, it can feel like a punishing setback. If you lose too many survivors to bad luck or bugs, it’s game over, no second chances.
Into the Dead: Our Darkest Days Demo – Is It Worth Buying Now?
According to online reviews and feedback, right now, Into the Dead: Our Darkest Days is a mixed bag. It’s got solid survival mechanics and a great aesthetic, but some design choices make it feel needlessly brutal. If you’re a hardcore survival fan, you might enjoy the challenge. But if you prefer a more forgiving experience, waiting for updates or a sale might be the smarter move.
The developers might raise the price after early access, so grabbing it now could save you money in the long run. Just know that you’re signing up for a rough-around-the-edges experience.

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Final Thoughts
The Into the Dead: Our Darkest Days demo showed promise, and the full early access version expands on that foundation. It’s not perfect, but with some polish and balancing, it could become a hit in the survival genre. If you’re curious, give it a shot.
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