Last updated on November 27th, 2025 at 03:25 am
Cataclysm: Dark Days Ahead – Roleplaying Game Review
Cataclysm: Dark Days Ahead is a Roleplaying/Simulation game from Ming Jen Tai, first launched in 9th December 2015.
It’s rated 12+ and currently has 327+ ratings on the App Store.
What Makes Cataclysm: Dark Days Ahead Stand Out
Cataclysm: Dark Days Ahead is a post-apocalyptic zombie survival roguelike game with procedural world generation. It is heavily focused on crafting and exploration.
The game is set in near-future New England after a catastrophic event killed most of the human population and spawned various monsters and hazards.
Surviving is difficult: you have been thrown, ill-equipped, into a landscape now riddled with monstrosities of which flesh eating zombies are neither the strangest nor the deadliest.
Unlike most roguelikes, it has no goal: the player is free to explore the procedurally generated map, clear areas of monsters, work with NPCs, and build shelters and vehicles.
The gameplay is mainly based on day-to-day survival, and the game tracks parameters like hunger, thirst, morale, illness and temperature which the player must manage to stay alive.
There are several other things in the game such as NPC Quests and Secret Structures.
Cataclysm: Dark Days Ahead is heavily focused on crafting with many basic necessities such as clothing and food being craftable from raw items that are found lying around.
There are several professions and scenarios to choose from during character creation, as well as a variety of positive and negative traits.
The game also provides the player with a robust platform to construct structures and build/modify vehicles.
The game includes vehicles, bionics, mutations, realistic fire and smoke effects, real-life seasons and a wide array of combat and crafting skills.
Cataclysm: Dark Days Ahead is licensed under CC-BY-SA 3.0
Original author:
Whales (retired)
Project Manager:
KevinGranade
Website/Forum:
GlyphGryph
Current Main Developers/Github Managers:
KevinGranade, Rivet-the-Zombie, BevapDin, Coolthulu, i2amroy
For a full list of contributors please see:
https://github.com/CleverRaven/Cataclysm-DDA/contributors
This Roleplaying game offers engaging gameplay and regular updates for mobile players.
Player Feedback
As a newer release, Cataclysm: Dark Days Ahead is building its player community. Early feedback suggests .
Recent Updates & Development
Latest Update: 28th January 2016
Recent improvements include:
This app has been updated by Apple to display the Apple Watch app icon.
Fix for the introduction view when running on iOS 7.
Download & Availability
Cataclysm: Dark Days Ahead is available through the official App Store for iOS devices.
Get Cataclysm: Dark Days Ahead on App Store
Requirements: Requires iPhone 5s / iPad Air / iPad Air (Cellular) / iPad Mini 2 (Retina) / iPad Mini 2 (Retina, Cellular) / iPhone 6 / iPhone 6 Plus / iPad Air 2 / iPad Air 2 (Cellular) / iPad Mini 3 or later.
Compatible with iPhone and iPad devices.
Player Experience Highlights
Community Insight:
We have put many hours into this app, and it's been a total blast. It's so nice to be able to play DDA while on the go. Thanks for making this.
Ive never played it on our phone more than a few minutes, but Im giving 5 stars just for somehow porting this masterpiece on here and making it somewhat usable. But if you have a PC, use that instead.
This is a very fun game with lots of choices but for the love cheese update it.
We have to say, this game has gotten our full attention for about a month so far and with our attention span thats saying a lot. Im pretty sure this is an open source game, so the ONE thing that we need from this game is an update. We have the most recent version on our computer, but surprisingly the controls are easier for us on the iPhone. This is all im asking for, otherwise this game is perfect, and im not saying that lightly.
Love the game but it needs a update for newer phones.
This is one of the deepest games on the App Store, but it hasn't been updated in 4 years. It'll probably be incompatible by the next iOS version.
Dont use the buttons that pop up when you swipe up with two fingers, use the keyboard that pops up when you swipe up with one. We skimmed through the controls guide and unfortunately suffered through using those buttons for a while, but it was our own fault we are playing this on a phone, so we wish we could zoom in just one more time, but thats all. Good game. Very complex, in a good way.
Thank you thank you thank you for porting CDDA! Updates would be awesome.
Best game on iPhone hands down, the only downside is that the controls are insane. If the controls were updated for iPhone this may very well become the most played game on IOS. Devs please… :-(.
We love how crazy this game can get! Anything can happen. We, a broken cyborg who the government experimented on, broke both of our arms while coming into contact with a fungus tower. Our arms began bulging and fungus spouted out of our arm, falling on the floor and becoming sentient. We ran from our fungus child and we than ran into a gang of giant spiders that killed us. 10/10.
The game is well the base game is great current down side right now is its not up to date which really isnt that big of a deal, good for quick runs try out the free computer versions for the full experience.
When you get past the complicated UI its an amazing game. We wont be putting it down for a while. We havent played the PC version but Im very excited to when we get the chance seeing how good of a game it is in mobile form.
Can you make it compatible with the iPhone XR.
Update: Soundpack no longer seems to work, can someone please help? This is still our favorite IOS app. Survival Game, Apocalypse Sim, Zombie Sim, Roguelike, Open World Adventure. This is flat out the best game on IOS period. Please buy the sound pack to support the dev who did the port. Giving this game away for free should be a crime. If you spend the time to learn the game you are guaranteed hundreds, if not thousands of hours of entertainment.
Absolutely love this game, has been our all time favorite since we found out about it a few years back. We played it for months on end on PC, and love being able to play on iPhone, despite not getting to use all our mods. Our big question is if this will ever get updated to any of the latest stable builds? Theres a huge disconnect between this version and the current pc version, so will this ever be updated to match that.
Just wrote the review to ask for an update, most reviews already cover everything.
Very amazing game especially on pc, this app would benefit from an update to catch up with the latest stable release, which is years ahead of the app. Thanks for this.
We really found this game interesting. It captures the original format of so many older games that have been forgotten. We are very surprised that this wonderful and amazing game doesnt have many as many downloads as it should. We hope you makers continue your work on this game and help it become a true masterpiece. We only had one problem though, we didnt quite understand how to play at first. You should include more specific content in your mobile tutorials.
This game is great, it will always be in and in itself, great. The mechanics are amazing, the fighting system is perfect, the settings are highly customizable, and theres a large variety of situations or circumstances you can put yourself in at the start or late game. The trouble is, Ive seen the updated PC version and it looks like a pretty good update considering weve been without on for 3 years. The 3D part of it is a little unnerving and is a little weird but the updates for PC look a helluva lot of good spice of life and gameplay advancements. Now we know its an open source game so it will need to be maintained, but this is one of THE best mobile games out there; and if youd show us some love, it could probably put you on the home page of the AppStore as well as make all your supporters happy.
Wish they would update it to include some of the new PC improvements.
This game is so great but we cant get ourselves to play due to the difference between the versions from the phone to the computer.
The game cannot be played on the iPhone XR. It says that the terminal size is too small and it wont even let us into the title screen. The app is due for an update.
We are really surprised about how much freedom of choice you have with making characters and all the different commands. This game is a gemstone that needs some work and polishing to be flawless.
For those who require extreme depth, and true customization, you won't put this down. At first, it almost seems broken. Learn to use the keyboard effectively, and you'll find out this version is actually as close to the PC version possible. Great job.
We love this app as a way to play cdda on the go but it hasnt been updated at all. There is now a lot more features on PC and we dont see why those havent been updated into this. Hope we can see the new scenarios, professions, and recipes in the near future.
We've played a lot of roguelikes since the 90s. To our surprise, this turned out to be one of the best (if not THE best) we've ever played. We love how customizeable it is, and the immersion is top notch. It is exciting, lengthy, and ad-free. Our only complaints would be that the onscreen touch pad can be a little touchy (pardon the pun), and the commands can take a little while to get used to. But this is minor in comparison to everything else, and the rewards of figuring it out are huge. If you love roguelikes and post-apocalyptic themes, this is a must-play! If only masterpieces like this weren't so rare.
We love this game but it would be better if they updated and put in new stuff.
Its been two years! Please add more music da or other features in the current experimental build. Game is great.
A great game where you can pick from a variety of scenarios then survive in a zombie filled world. The controls are really wonky at first, but soon you get used to them. It took us at least a week learning to play and we're so glad we stuck with it. Unfortunately, iOS CDDA doesnt get updated. We heard android version is much better, but iOS cataclysm will work for now.
Im begging for an update on this amazing game, is there a reason the iOS version is stuck in a limbo now.
When we first played this rpg we were astonished at the amount of in game depth their was now that we know theres a mobile we're going to spend the next seven years of our life playing it.
Hello here! We wish you great fortune in your travels so far, we adore the game, But Ive ran into some slight issues looking at it now. Ahem, First Concern, The Mods, we know that the mods may be hard to code for a phone, So understandable. Second Concern, Ive been curious to what version of the game we play, Im almost positive it isnt the newest version is it? So Im trying to figure out whats up.
Our favourite game on our easily-accessible device. Devs: are we due for an update? We hope this game is receiving enough attention for your continued support. With a little interface tweaking, this could be iOS's greatest hour.
One of the best mobile app store games out there, and by far one of the best rougelikes Ive ever played.
Iv had this game for about a year now the only thing we have to complaint about is the driving it's kinda hard but yknow do-able overall tho it's our most favorited games ever and yet it does not cost money usually free games are crap but you developers put so much detail into this it's amazing tho it does not get the hype it deserves.
We love it it's complicated but soo cool! We found a few bugs when adding mods though….. The game will crash with the 3D buildings and dinosaur mods. Also on the pc you can download other people's mods… Can you add that? We've had this game for about 11 months now and it's a breeze to play… Also on the tutorial if you blow up the wall and walk out or go to close to the wall you keep falling. PLEASE WORK ON THE MOBILE NOW SINCE THE PC IS SET! -entitymoltovEM.
Yes it's deep and sometimes complex, but that is a good thing for any game like this. Graphics are great for a roguelike, don't listen to the haters. Lots of forums if you need help getting started, but dying has never been so fun. This is the only post-apocalyptic game you will ever need, and likely ever play again.
A ridiculous amount of depth in this game. Once we finally gave it a chance and learned the controls, we spent about 6 weeks straight with ONLY this game. This game has gotten more play time than several polished paid games. If you're even remotely interested in open world rogue-likes, do yourself a favor and invest the time to learn how to play this game. You won't be disappointed.
Add ability to pick pocket npcs. That's what makes games like skyrim and fallout so dam fun.
Probly the best game we ever seen and played that's super close to realistic and awesome but 1 thing when is there going to be a update for the mobile version or are u working on a app for cata so we mobile gamers can get new updates for cata cause the pc version is super up to date and we wish we can have half the stuff they have in of in the mobile version so please update cata soon thx.
One of the best games we've played literally. This is not a paid or made up review. It's like dayz kinda.
Not a replacement if you're coming from the PC version because working with the controls is slower, but it's good if you're away from your computer and are craving some good old CDDA. Better than 99% of apps on the market that cost money.
We are stunned by how deep this game is. The interface seems cryptic at first but it's solid and a little practice is all it takes. Imagine starting the game as a drunk, depressed, infected celiac barbarian in a world of pizza shop animatronics, joke monsters, energy weapons and dinosaurs. All possible, m'friend, or you can be as traditional as you like. Love how points can be spent on traits, skills, stats, and professions, and taking flaws gets you extra points. Will be buying the sound pack to support the devs! Thanks for all the effort! Update: if you get killed in a world, you can still play another character in that world and try to build on what progress has been made in a shelter. Love the interface. Just a few tips for beginners: the comma key is your friend, butcher all you can and try to craft with it, including non-animals, and be sure to wield any weapons you have at the start.
We have to say we never knew such a complex amazing game existed while the game does throw a lot on new player(we've been playing for months and still can't live longer than 2 days) but we love the game nothing shows a better zombie apocalypse game like this defiantly at least try it.
Amazing game, controls are a little difficult, but it can't really be helped since there are so many actions available.
We couldn't ask for anything more in a mobile game or any game for that matter. Well done on developing a game that truly delivers a great experience.
Us Upon finding this game: WHAT THE FTAGN? WHY HAVE we NOT DOWNLOADED THIS YET! GIMME! Us after 5 minutes gameplay: ERMEGERD BEST DAY EVA! Amazing. Simply. Amazing. Now all we gotta do is wait for DF to come out on mobile. Hmmmmmmm.
Amazing game… Even works with the iPad Pro keyboard which is perfect for this.
There are so few REAL games on mobile. The cheap, short games that get high ratings are simplistic and for the most part clones of a few originals in the mobile genre. The few real games that slip by almost unnoticed get so little fanfare. Then out of pure luck we happen upon CDDA and we get a Chill!! There's just no way! We had no idea they ported it to mobile. Guys…this is True. Hardcore. Complex. DEEEEEP gaming. If you are old school you will remember these games. Cataclysm DDA will kick you in the balls, and eat you alive. And you will LOVE it. Don't give up. Every scenario you start you'll catch something new. Eventually you'll survive a day, then two, make a base, fortify a vehicle, craft an amazing set of armor pieces, cook a pie, grow weed (for real) and realize there's so much to this game. Play it.
Just…. Stay out. For the love of God just stay out.
User feedback from Apple App Store
App Details
- Version: 1.12.3
- Size: 146.28 MB
- iOS: 7.0 or later
- Languages: EN
- Content Advisory: Infrequent/Mild Realistic Violence, Frequent/Intense Horror/Fear Themes, Infrequent/Mild Medical/Treatment Information, Frequent/Intense Cartoon or Fantasy Violence, Infrequent/Mild Alcohol, Tobacco, or Drug Use or References
- Developer: [Ming Jen Tai]()
Last updated: 28th January 2016 | Genre: Roleplaying, Simulation | Developer: Ming Jen Tai