PCGameBenchmarks
Cataclysm: Dark Days Ahead

Cataclysm: Dark Days Ahead

90/100
25 ratings2013Easy to run

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Estimated FPS across quality settings and resolutions

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Cataclysm: Dark Days Ahead FPS by GPU

Estimated framerates for 14 reference GPUs · pick a resolution and quality

Full benchmark grid · 14 GPUs × 4 qualities × 3 resolutions

1080p performance

Cataclysm: Dark Days Ahead estimated FPS at 1080p across 14 GPUs and 4 quality presets
GPUlowmediumhighultra
RTX 5090999 fps999 fps999 fps999 fps
RTX 4090999 fps999 fps999 fps999 fps
RX 7900 XTX999 fps999 fps999 fps999 fps
RTX 5080999 fps999 fps999 fps999 fps
RTX 4080 Super999 fps999 fps999 fps999 fps
RTX 4070 Ti999 fps999 fps999 fps937 fps
RTX 4070999 fps999 fps988 fps803 fps
RX 7800 XT999 fps999 fps871 fps707 fps
RTX 3080999 fps999 fps847 fps688 fps
RTX 4060 Ti999 fps999 fps800 fps650 fps
RTX 3070999 fps912 fps729 fps593 fps
RTX 4060999 fps824 fps659 fps535 fps
RTX 3060882 fps706 fps565 fps459 fps
GTX 1660 Super640 fps512 fps409 fps333 fps

1440p performance

Cataclysm: Dark Days Ahead estimated FPS at 1440p across 14 GPUs and 4 quality presets
GPUlowmediumhighultra
RTX 5090999 fps999 fps999 fps999 fps
RTX 4090999 fps999 fps999 fps999 fps
RX 7900 XTX999 fps999 fps999 fps999 fps
RTX 5080999 fps999 fps999 fps946 fps
RTX 4080 Super999 fps999 fps999 fps889 fps
RTX 4070 Ti999 fps999 fps865 fps703 fps
RTX 4070999 fps926 fps741 fps602 fps
RX 7800 XT999 fps816 fps653 fps531 fps
RTX 3080993 fps794 fps635 fps516 fps
RTX 4060 Ti938 fps750 fps600 fps488 fps
RTX 3070855 fps684 fps547 fps444 fps
RTX 4060772 fps618 fps494 fps401 fps
RTX 3060662 fps529 fps424 fps344 fps
GTX 1660 Super480 fps384 fps307 fps249 fps

4K performance

Cataclysm: Dark Days Ahead estimated FPS at 4K across 14 GPUs and 4 quality presets
GPUlowmediumhighultra
RTX 5090999 fps988 fps791 fps642 fps
RTX 4090999 fps918 fps734 fps596 fps
RX 7900 XTX999 fps824 fps659 fps535 fps
RTX 5080971 fps776 fps621 fps505 fps
RTX 4080 Super912 fps729 fps584 fps474 fps
RTX 4070 Ti721 fps576 fps461 fps375 fps
RTX 4070618 fps494 fps395 fps321 fps
RX 7800 XT544 fps435 fps348 fps283 fps
RTX 3080529 fps424 fps339 fps275 fps
RTX 4060 Ti500 fps400 fps320 fps260 fps
RTX 3070456 fps365 fps292 fps237 fps
RTX 4060412 fps329 fps264 fps214 fps
RTX 3060353 fps282 fps226 fps184 fps
GTX 1660 Super256 fps205 fps164 fps133 fps

Minimum Hardware

Graphics Card
Minimum required

DirectX 9.0c compatible video card

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Memory
Minimum required

1 GB

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Genres

AdventureRole-playing (RPG)

About

Cataclysm: Dark Days Ahead, released in 2013, is an open-source survival horror roguelike that immerses players in a richly detailed, post-apocalyptic version of New England. The game is notable for its unique approach to open-ended gameplay, allowing players to explore a procedurally generated world without a specific goal, focusing instead on survival, crafting, and interaction with NPCs.

When it comes to performance, Cataclysm: Dark Days Ahead is quite accessible, making it compatible with a wide range of hardware. The minimum requirement of just 1 GB of RAM and an entry-level GPU with a score of around 300 means that players can achieve decent FPS even on budget setups. For smoother gameplay and better graphics settings, consider a mid-tier GPU for a more enjoyable experience while exploring the game's depths.

With a robust rating of 90/100, Cataclysm: Dark Days Ahead is highly recommended for fans of adventure and RPG genres. Its depth, replayability, and unique gameplay structure ensure it remains a compelling choice for gamers looking for a rich, immersive experience in the world of roguelikes.

Performance profile

Released in June 2013, Cataclysm: Dark Days Ahead sits in the DirectX 11 generation. Comfortable on any modern mid-range GPU at 1440p; even an RTX 3050 or RX 6600 typically delivers 4K60 at High settings.

RPGs like Cataclysm: Dark Days Ahead stress VRAM during long sessions — texture streaming, mods and open-world traversal inflate memory use over time. 8 GB VRAM is a practical floor; 12 GB+ is worth the headroom at 1440p and above.

Extremely light — Cataclysm: Dark Days Ahead runs at 60 FPS 1080p on any integrated GPU (Intel Iris Xe, AMD Radeon Graphics) or a decade-old discrete card like the GTX 1050. A current-gen RTX 4060 pushes 4K Ultra without effort.

Storyline

You emerge from the shelter into the dim light of an overcast day, and look around for the first time since the disaster. The world as you knew it is gone and in its place, a twisted mockery of all that was once familiar. Everything was cast aside in that frantic race for the shelter. You have no food, nothing to drink, no weapons. Nothing but your ingenuity and the fierce determination to survive against appalling odds. A grim prospect faces you. Perhaps worse even than the nightmares of last night, when you were tortured by dreams of the dead themselves rising to jealously tear life from the living. You cast your eyes up the road and begin to walk towards a house in the far distance. Things may be bad right now, but you've got a sinking feeling that there are darker days ahead.

Screenshots

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