In a recent interview, PikPok opened up about Our Darkest Days, the highly anticipated third installment in the Into the Dead series. The developers revealed new details about survivors, exploration, and permadeath, giving players plenty to look forward to.

If you’ve played Into the Dead, you’re already familiar with its immersive and intense atmosphere, where players must navigate relentless, zombie-infested areas. Our Darkest Days builds upon the established world and characters from the Into the Dead series, now shifting to a third-person perspective.

Set in Texas in 1980, the game presents a world overrun by zombies. Unlike many games in the genre, the developers were keen to create a world dominated by undead outside large metropolitan areas, and they chose Texas for its varied natural landscape.

The game world is crafted to keep you on edge, filled with horror, shock, and fear to ensure your adrenaline never really settles. PikPok drew inspiration from classic zombie and monster films, as well as psychological thrillers, to weave together an atmosphere that is as haunting as it is engaging.

In Our Darkest Days, survival is about more than just keeping the undead at bay. The constant pressure of being surrounded by zombies means you’ll need to frequently find and fortify new shelters, as exploration is limited to a radius around your current base.

As you explore, you’ll meet survivors who can join your shelter and become playable characters. But it’s not as simple as just adding more people to your group, as you will need food and enough space in your base. Each new survivor has their own set of perks, some of which are apparent, while others remain hidden until you recruit them. Some might even have traits that could endanger the group, so choosing who to bring along isn’t a decision to take lightly.

PikPok believes that the fear of losing a character is only real when there are no second chances. In Our Darkest Days, death is permanent and if your character dies on an expedition, they’re gone for good, with no option to revive them.

Zombies aren’t the only danger you’ll face. The developers have plans to add human enemies and organized rival factions at a later stage. This will bring fresh challenges and require new strategies to navigate this treacherous world.

Scavenging for supplies is a high-stakes endeavor. There are no safe zones or guaranteed paths, and every trip outside the shelter could be your last. Strategic thinking and careful planning will be essential if you hope to survive.

While the demo version is expected to launch on Steam in October this year, PikPok has not yet announced the full game’s release date.