The Dead are Not Dead Reviews

A fun and straightforward homage to survival horror games of the 90's. It's quick and simple.

Don't get fooled by the high review score, this is a terrible survival horror game. Here are the reasons why: -tank controls, just why??? -controls overall are just bad -you can't attack crouching zombies with the knife, also they are way too fast -cutscenes when going through a door -no cross hair, aiming just sucks, bullets often don't hit even when you feel they should have -at the other hand zombies damage you from way too far -you can open the inventory during a cutscene and shoot, zombies still move towards you and play their attack animations (even though they can't damage you) -the two singing parts in the game are annoying -in general you barely find any items, exploring is usually not rewarded -it's clunky and buggy -lots of backtracking -first boss sucks hard, I could only beat him because he glitched out -performance can be bad even though the game has ps1 graphics -randomized sliding puzzle

The Dead Are Not Dead (T.A.N.D.) is a nostalgic nod to the golden age of survival horror, unapologetically drenched in PS1-era aesthetics and mechanics. Drawing heavy inspiration from classics like Silent Hill and Resident Evil, this low-poly indie title offers a brief but enjoyable journey into a gritty post-apocalyptic world, complete with tank controls, fixed save points, and a VHS-inspired presentation. You play as Alfred, a lone survivor navigating a decaying town in search of his brother, Jake, five years after a zombie virus decimated civilization. With a guitar slung over his shoulder and danger lurking in every shadow, Alfred's journey unfolds through combat, light puzzle-solving, and atmospheric exploration. While the narrative won’t win awards—it's serviceable and surprisingly serious for a developer better known for quirky titles like Poop Killer—it sets a decent tone for the gameplay loop. The gameplay will feel instantly familiar to fans of old-school survival horror. You’ll explore a handful of interconnected environments, collecting weapons, key items, and battling or avoiding undead threats. There's no reinvention here, and the game doesn’t try to be more than what it is: a loving tribute. The puzzles are basic, the environments sparse but effective, and the game’s structure tightly designed so it doesn’t overstay its welcome. One of the more unique (and slightly awkward) features is the combination of tank controls with a free 360-degree camera. It’s a strange hybrid that feels clunky at times, especially in tight spaces or during combat. The stop-and-go motion of reorienting both the camera and the character can disrupt immersion, particularly when using a controller. Mouse and keyboard might offer smoother navigation, though your mileage may vary. Still, the challenge never becomes punishing, and the quirks are part of the charm for those who grew up on this style of gameplay. There’s no autosave, so you’ll need to use ink ribbons and typewriters to save your progress—another throwback that will either delight or frustrate, depending on your tolerance for retro mechanics. —The Ember Archives https://store.steampowered.com/curator/45601239/