Dead Season is a cruel, challenging, and often unfair experience. However, it is its chastising nature that makes it unbelievably moreish. I died more times than I’d like to mention, but I couldn’t put it down. Each failure generates a new tactical approach. Furthermore, this harsh learning curve keeps you on your toes as you try to avoid the zombie hordes.
Zombie games have been done to death. Everywhere you look, there is a brain-munching asshat influencing one genre or another. The theme may be overdone, but I still adore it nonetheless. Accordingly, when I was offered the chance to tackle this ball-breaking title, I couldn’t resist.
This turn-based survival game was developed by Snail Bite and published by Iceberg Interactive. Furthermore, it is a single-player title that has a minor customisation edge. The small skill tree offers an additional tactical layer that can change the way you progress. Alongside this, there are elements of luck and plenty of trial and error to play with. Though this won’t be everyone’s cup of tea, I enjoyed the relentless difficulty.
Dead Season feels familiar.
The thought of surviving a zombie horde fills me with dread. Brain munchers hiding around every corner and a lack of resources is petrifying! However, this forms the backbone of Dead Season’s plot. The 4 survivors must work together as they explore an apocalyptic world. No matter where they turn, they are confronted by danger and death. Consequently, they must unite and overcome every obstacle if they wish to survive.
The plot lacks originality, but this matters not. I liked the protagonists’ personalities and the blend of bickering and support. Alongside this, there are plenty of other survivors to assist. This element leads to many moral choices along the way. With so much variety, you enjoy a unique experience during each playthrough. This was impressive, especially when you consider the tried and tested foundations.
Shhhhhh.
The core mechanics are genre-typical. Each hero has action points to spend. These points can be exchanged for movement, fighting, or looting. If the hero runs out of AP, their turn is over. Subsequently, each protagonist must complete their tasks and move to a position of safety or risk getting hurt. This sense of desperation and danger was fascinating. Do you gamble and try to kill every surrounding zombie, or do you run away and allow the horde to strengthen?
Alongside the turn-based mechanics are challenging volume levels. If you break barricades, shoot guns, or turn on a chainsaw, you’ll generate noise. Furthermore, alarms are your worst nightmare as they piss the zombies off. If you fill your noise meter, the zombies become enraged. This is bad news as the horde expands and they move a lot quicker. Accordingly, stealth and melee weapons are your friends during each mission.
Decisions, decisions.
As you move through the overworld map, you have to choose your mission. Dead Season makes this element engrossing and secretive. I loved the sense of risk and the unknown layers. Thankfully, you are told how difficult each stage will be, so you can decide whether you want to challenge yourself or take an easy path.
During each mission, you can loot cars, buildings, and bodies. However, this can divide your attention and spread your team out too much. As such, you must decide whether it is essential to grab extra resources or push towards the end goal. Either strategy works, but when death ends your run, it is sometimes better to escape and fight another day.
Dead Season looks grisly and dark.
An apocalyptic world shouldn’t be bright and alluring. Thankfully, Dead Season is aesthetically accurate. The grim world is horrible to look at. Burnt out cars, broken buildings, and rotten bodies can be seen throughout. Alongside this, the zombies have a classic but scary appearance. This was great as it matches the well-trodden story whilst enhancing the horror nature.
On top of this, I liked the small but interesting stage design. Each map is compact but perfectly formed. Moreover, there are different buildings to explore and every interactive item is well highlighted. This was a great approach as it made playing it much easier.
The audio is fantastic. There is a blend of sombre and dramatic music and chilling sound effects. The screams of desperate people and the echo of each gunshot were phenomenal. This was complemented by the grunts and groans of every zombie you face.
Excellent controls.
The mouse and keyboard layout was great. Furthermore, the opening level acts as a tutorial and this helps to get you up and running. The well-considered control system was complemented by a clean but useful UI. Though it wasn’t anything spectacular, it worked well and was easy to master.
Dead Season is a tough game. Yet, once you get to grips with its quirks and you master the tactical layers, you’ll be hooked. The action is addictive and there are plenty of unique tactical approaches. On top of this, there are usable items and an array of zombies to overcome. Furthermore, there are branching pathways to explore and the risk of death around every corner. Consequently, it is challenging and it draws you back in for more.
Dead Season is a good indie title.
The sense of risk vs reward and failure emanates from every layer of this harsh game. You will make mistakes and you’ll lose key equipment on the way. However, loss and failure make you stronger and a few setbacks will not stop you from completing your goals. Accordingly, though it is tough, it is a good indie title. As such, I like it and I recommend buying it here! Can you survive the zombie horde? Work together, scavenge resources, and hope that luck is on your side.
