How to Play

Basic controls

Overview

DEAD: Doomsday Emergency Action Division is a fast-paced, wave-based survival shooter that blends the endless wave survival of Call of Duty: Zombies with the frantic bullet-hell chaos of Nuclear Throne.

The objective is simple: **stay alive as long as possible** while managing points, upgrading weapons, and making tactical choices about which parts of the map to open.

The Gameplay Loop

1. Spawn In – Each run begins with your chosen operator (e.g., Craig or Vanessa) armed with a starter pistol.
2. Earn Points – Defeat enemies to earn points.

The faster you kill, the more points you gain — landing headshots and using upgraded weapons maximises efficiency.

1. Spend Wisely – Use points at interactive Map Furniture:

• Vending Machines – Heal, boost your max health, or improve luck.
• Weapons – Found via Wall Buys or the Mystery Box.
• Beastinator – Upgrade your guns into absurd “Beast Mode” evolutions.
• Ammo Crates – Restock before you run dry.
• Obstacles – Unlock new map areas by paying to clear barriers.

1. Survive Waves – Each wave grows harder, throwing more and stronger enemies into the fray.
2. Repeat or Die Trying – The loop continues until you’re overwhelmed. The deeper you go, the faster and nastier it gets.

Tips & Tricks

• Efficiency = Points: Kill zombies in as few shots as possible. Long, drawn-out fights reduce point output, making upgrades and headshots essential.
• Control the Map: Always keep an escape route and open new areas strategically.
• Upgrade Early: Cheap Beast Mode evolutions can carry you several rounds further than stock weapons.
• Use Luck to Your Advantage: Serendipity Soda reduces the risk of bad rolls from the Mystery Box and increases the potential power of health pickups.
• Spend, Don’t Hoard: Dying with a fortune of unspent points is worse than surviving with none.

See Also

• Weapons
• Map Furniture
• Characters