# Cataclysm: Dark Days Ahead

> Post-apocalyptic zombie survival roguelike with crafting and exploration. (iPhone/iPad app by Dancing Bottle.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cataclysm-dark-days-ahead/id1017236109 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Dancing Bottle](https://appshunter.io/developer/536995131)
- Category: Games, Role Playing, Simulation
- Price: Free with in-app purchases
- Rating: 3.90/5 from 323 App Store ratings · 242 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 12+
- Requires: iOS 7.0 · 146 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2015-12-09
- Data updated: 2026-09-05
- Monetization: free
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cataclysm-dark-days-ahead/id1017236109/reviews.md

## What is Cataclysm?

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

## Key features

- Procedural world generation
- Deep crafting system
- Vehicle construction and modification
- Survival mechanics (hunger, thirst, morale)
- Bionics and mutations
- NPC interaction and quests
- Open-ended exploration

## Pricing and in-app purchases

Base price: Free.

**One-time purchases**

| Purchase | Price | Type |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Awesome Sound Pack | $0.99 | one-time |


## What do users think of Cataclysm?

Overall sentiment: positive

**Pros**

- 👍 Great game
- 🚀 Highly customizable
- 💡 Endless possibilities
- 👍 Fantastic hardcore roguelike
- 👍 Addictive
- 👍 Impressive depth and complexity

**Cons**

- 🐛 Controls are clunky and unresponsive
- 🐛 Language issues (game in Russian/other languages)
- 🐛 Screen size issues (too small)
- 🐛 Crashes and bugs
- 🐛 Outdated version, needs updates

**Commonly reported bugs**

- Keyboard issues (gets stuck, doesn't work properly)
- Compatibility issues with newer devices/iOS versions
- Crashes and freezes

**Most requested features**

- Update the game to latest stable version
- Improve touch controls and UI for mobile
- Add screen zooming/magnification options
- Provide better language support and options

## Recent user reviews (10 of 242)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cataclysm-dark-days-ahead/id1017236109/reviews.md

### 3/5 — I really like the game but this port isn’t updated

*2026-08-14, version 1.12.3*

You should just download the game and play it on pc, this port is outdated and the others people made for iOS straight up cost money, the game is REALLY good though!

### 1/5 — Well

*2026-05-04, version 1.12.3*

Doesn’t work for iPhones says screen is too small with no fix

### 1/5 — Font size too big, can't play

*2026-05-02, version 1.12.3*

I'm playing on an iPhone 11, and the game says "Woah! Your terminal is tiny! This game requires a minimum terminal size of 80X24 to work properly. 66X18 just won't do. Maybe a smaller font would help?" I don't see a way to make the font smaller.  Maybe this is a feature that could be added?

### 1/5 — Can't open the game

*2026-04-14, version 1.12.3*

Downloaded the game couldn't get past the home screen

### 1/5 — Not in english

*2026-01-18, version 1.12.3*

The game appears to be in russian though i dont know flr certian, with seemingly no way to change the language. i do not speak russian or whatever language this is. thank god it was free as it is unplayable if you do not already speak the language

### 5/5 — GREAT

*2025-10-27, version 1.12.3*

I LIKE IT

### 2/5 — 9 years since last update

*2025-10-11, version 1.12.3*

It’s a great, free, open source game. Please update it to the latest stable version

### 5/5 — iOS 26

*2025-09-16, version 1.12.3*

New update made the in game keyboard stop working

### 5/5 — Одна из лучших игр на телефон

*2025-07-16, version 1.12.3*

Даже несмотря на то, что версия устарела, эта игра продолжает быть одной из лучших игр которые я видел на телефон (хотя обновления все таки хотелось бы).

### 1/5 — Controls

*2025-06-17, version 1.12.3*

Unbelievably bad controls with KEYBOARD keys. Horrific and outdated even for PC, absolutely unplayable on iOS.

## Frequently asked questions about Cataclysm

### What kind of game is Cataclysm: Dark Days Ahead?

It is a post-apocalyptic zombie survival roguelike game. It features procedural world generation and a strong emphasis on crafting and exploration. The gameplay focuses on day-to-day survival, managing needs like hunger, thirst, and morale in a dangerous world.

### What are the key features of this survival game?

Key features include a procedurally generated world, a deep crafting system for necessities, vehicle construction and modification, and survival mechanics like hunger, thirst, and illness. Players can also develop bionics, mutations, and interact with NPCs for quests.

### Is Cataclysm: Dark Days Ahead free to play?

Yes, Cataclysm: Dark Days Ahead is a free game. It is licensed under CC-BY-SA 3.0, meaning it is open-source and available for anyone to download and play without cost.

### What platforms is Cataclysm: Dark Days Ahead available on?

While the description doesn't explicitly list platforms, roguelike games with this level of complexity are typically available on PC (Windows, macOS, Linux). Users can often find download links and community support on the game's official website or forums.

### What is the main goal in Cataclysm: Dark Days Ahead?

Unlike many games, Cataclysm: Dark Days Ahead has no set goal. The player is free to explore the procedurally generated map, clear areas of monsters, work with NPCs, build shelters, and craft items. The primary focus is on long-term survival and player-driven objectives.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 1.12.3 — 2016-01-28

This app has been updated by Apple to display the Apple Watch app icon.

Fix for the introduction view when running on iOS 7.

### 1.12.2 — 2016-01-26

Support iOS 7.

### 1.12.1 — 2016-01-12

1. Initial Bluetooth keyboard support. Bluetooth keyboard should be detected automatically when connected.

2. Add TAB button.

Please report problems in the forum. Thank you!

### 1.12.0 — 2015-12-09

Support iPad Pro.

### 1.0.1 — 2015-10-08

No release notes.

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-09-05.*