Check out our review of Dead Season, a brand new turn-based tactics game set in a zombie apocalypse…
We’ll take a look at the gameplay, the visuals and story to reveal whether you should check it out this Halloween.
Transcript
So, I guess now that it’s October, I’m going to try and review all the upcoming horror games. Let’s keep it going with Dead Season, the new indie game that mashes up turn-based tactics with some good old-fashioned undead chaos. Imagine if XCOM and Resident Evil had a baby and then left it in the middle of a zombie apocalypse to fend for itself.
You’re in control of a small squad of survivors trying to make it through the aftermath of a zombie apocalypse. Sounds like every other zombie game, right? Wrong. Every action you take makes noise, and noise attracts more zombies. So yeah, that big ol’ shotgun you’re eyeing up? Risky business.
But it’s not just about staying quiet. You’ve got to scavenge for resources, complete objectives, and outsmart the undead (and some pesky human enemies too). Every mission is basically a balancing act between survival, strategy, and making sure you don’t end up as zombie food.
Honestly, Dead Season isn’t your typical zombie shooter. If you’re looking for fast-paced action, this isn’t it. But if you like thinking ahead, planning your moves, and making every decision count, you might be onto a winner.
Each mission plays out on a grid, where you move your characters, set up attacks, and try to stay alive. It’s a classic turn-based system, but the noise mechanic adds a layer of tension that makes it feel fresh. Every shot, every move – it all makes a difference. Fire a loud weapon? You better believe more zombies are coming for you. It’s kind of like playing chess… if the other player was a horde of undead trying to eat your face.
What sets Dead Season apart is that this isn’t a game where you can just shoot your way out of trouble. The noise mechanic forces you to think ahead. Do you risk firing your gun and attracting more zombies, or do you try to sneak around and take them out quietly? You have to think several moves ahead, and it’s this constant tension that keeps the game exciting.
Now, let’s talk about progression. As you fight your way through the campaign, you can level up your survivors and unlock new abilities. It’s a solid progression system that lets you mold your squad into a zombie-slaying dream team. You can build your survivors to match your playstyle—whether that’s creating a stealthy team that avoids combat or a more aggressive squad that can handle a fight, as long as they’re smart about it.
Scavenging is a big part of the game. Each mission has you hunting for supplies—whether it’s food, ammo, or other resources that will help you survive the next encounter. But again, the game forces you to make tough decisions. You might find a stash of supplies in a building, but getting to them could require making a lot of noise, which—as I’ve said before—could lead to your untimely demise.
The mission objectives keep things interesting. One mission might have you rescuing survivors, while another might require you to hold off waves of zombies until a rescue arrives. The variety of objectives forces you to adapt your strategy for each mission. The challenges gradually ramp up as well, with tougher enemies and trickier objectives as you get deeper into the game.
Visually, Dead Season isn’t going to win any awards, but honestly? It doesn’t need to. The art style is dark, gritty, and exactly what you’d expect from a zombie apocalypse game. Streets are littered with debris, buildings are falling apart, and the atmosphere is full of dread. Every corner feels like it could be hiding a horde of zombies, and that sense of unease is one of the game’s biggest strengths.
Sure, the textures and animations can feel a bit basic at times, but what really stands out is the mood. Dead Season nails that creepy, everything-is-falling-apart vibe.
One cool thing that deserves a shoutout is the use of motion comics to tell the story. It gives the whole game a graphic novel feel, like you’re living through the pages of a post-apocalyptic comic book. If you’re into stuff like The Walking Dead, this will hit the right notes for you.
The story in Dead Season isn’t anything revolutionary, but it doesn’t need to be. You’re leading a group of survivors, trying to make it through the chaos. They’re not heroes, they’re just regular people who don’t want to get eaten.
Each mission tells its own little piece of the larger narrative, but don’t expect a lot of character development or emotional depth. The game is more about atmosphere than deep storytelling, and honestly? That’s what works for it. The focus is on survival, not on detailed character studies. And really, in a game about fending off zombie hordes, that’s exactly what you want.
Now, let’s talk about sound, because in Dead Season, sound is everything. It’s not just background noise; it’s a gameplay mechanic that literally determines your survival. Fire a gun? Zombies will hear it and come running. Break a window? You’ve just announced your location to every undead creature in the area. It’s stressful in the best way.
The ambient sounds—distant groans, shuffling footsteps—keep you on edge the entire time. There’s very little music, and when it does pop in, it’s usually to ramp up the tension. And boy, does it work. You’ll be holding your breath every time you hear a zombie groaning nearby, wondering if you’ve been too loud… or if it’s already too late.
Pro Tip: Use melee weapons whenever you can. They’re quiet, and quiet is survival.
So, should you play Dead Season? If you love tactical games with a twist and don’t mind a little tension (okay, a lot of tension), then yes—this game is absolutely worth a shot. The noise mechanic alone is enough to make it stand out from the crowd, and the turn-based combat is solid, satisfying, and full of nail-biting moments.
Sure, the visuals are a bit rough, and the story’s nothing groundbreaking, but that’s not what you’re here for. You’re here to outthink, outlast, and outfight the undead. And on that front, Dead Season delivers in spades.
If you’re more into fast-paced, run-and-gun zombie shooters, this probably isn’t going to be your jam. But for strategy fans and survival horror lovers, this is one indie game you don’t want to miss.
But what did you think of Dead Season? Please let me know in the comments below—I’d love to hear your thoughts. And while you’re down there, don’t forget to like and subscribe for plenty more on all things gaming. Check out our movie channel, UDS Films, and head over to upsidedownshark.com to keep up with everything else we’ve got going on.
Until then, my name is Tom, this has been UDS, and I’ll see you next time!
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Tom Baker
I like Star Wars, heavy metal and BBQ Pringles.
