Screenshots
Tainted by the Stars: The Dead Among Us
Christian Rosick · Published by Christian Rosick
Content notice: This game contains stylized depictions of violence and blood. Players engage in combat against zombie-like enemies using firearms, melee weapons, and explosives. While blood effects are present, the violence is not graphic or sadistic in nature. There is no depiction of violence against real people, animals, or vulnerable groups. The game does not contain sexual content, drug or alcohol use, or self-harm.
Last updated 10 Oct 2026
A tactical 3D top-down zombie shooter with an innovative Field-of-View system. Tasked by researchers, you must uncover the cause of the zombie outbreak while managing scarce ammo, using tactics, melee, and grenades to survive endless waves.
Action, Indie, Casual · 2026 · More free games
Explore a tactical 3D top-down world as you uncover the zombie outbreak's cause. Navigate corridors and manage resources to stay alive, blending tactics with melee attacks in Tainted by the Stars: The Dead Among Us.
About this game
Tainted by the Stars: The Dead Among Us
A 3D top-down zombie shooter focused on tactics, resource scarcity, and realistic combat. Instead of mindless spraying, every fight demands decisions, when to fight, when to run, and when to loot.
Your vision is your greatest weapon: the innovative Field-of-View system only shows what your survivor can actually see, adding tension, realism, and tactical depth to every encounter.
As you fight to stay alive, you’re not just surviving. You’ve been tasked by a group of researchers to uncover the true cause of the zombie outbreak. Every mission brings you closer to the origin of the infection… and the truth behind it.
Survive wave after wave of undead using a mix of firearms, melee weapons, grenades, and healing items. All under the constant pressure of limited ammo and time.
Features
Unique Field-of-View system defining visibility and tension
Wave-based survival mode with increasing difficulty
Detailed ammo and magazine management
Distinct melee and ranged combat mechanics
Grenades, healing items, flashlight, and night vision
Dynamic loot and procedural elements
In-depth statistics (accuracy, efficiency, kills, etc.)
Minimalist UI and full gamepad support
No pay-to-win, no online requirement
System Requirements
Will my PC run this? →Minimum
- Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system
- OS: Windows 10 (64 Bit)
- Processor: Intel Core i3-6100 oder AMD FX-6300
- Memory: 4 GB RAM
- Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 750 Ti oder AMD Radeon R7 360
- DirectX: Version 11
- Storage: 500 MB available space
- Sound Card: DirectX-compatible Sound Card
- Additional Notes: Keyboard and mouse or gamepad required
Recommended
- Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system
- OS: Windows 10 or 11 (64 Bit)
- Processor: Intel Core i5-8400 or AMD Ryzen 5 2600
- Memory: 8 GB RAM
- Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 or AMD Radeon RX 580
- DirectX: Version 11
- Storage: 500 MB available space
- Sound Card: DirectX-compatible Sound Card
- Additional Notes: SSD recommended for faster loading. Gamepad supported.
Supported Languages
Latest news
Patch NotesOfficial
Development Update: Refocusing the Core Loop
The current technical foundation of Tainted by the Stars: The Dead Among Us is in place.The game can run, the core systems are connected, and the basic structure works. After testing the current direction, I decided that the next build should focus less on adding more content and more on proving the actual survival loop.So the next version is becoming a more focused prototype.The new direction is a short, intense run through an underground tunnel system. Somewhere ahead is a crashed meteorite. Your goal is to reach it, but the path there should feel tense, dangerous, and readable.The pitch is simple:You are not powerful. You are not safe. But you are not helpless.The prototype focuses on four core elements:LightThe flashlight helps you understand the space around you. But using it should also come with risk.SoundSound should become useful information, not just background atmosphere. You should be able to hear danger, movement, pressure, and sometimes misleading signals.PanicPanic is being tested as a survival tool with consequences. It can help in the moment, but it should not be something you use without thinking.ConsequenceThe closer you get to the meteorite, the more your earlier decisions should matter.That is the main goal of the next prototype: a run that feels short, tense, and fair. Not random. Not confusing. But dangerous enough that every decision matters.This also means the next build will take longer than a normal update. It is not just another layer on top of the old prototype. It is a focused test of the idea that should define the game.If the loop works, dying should not feel cheap. It should make you think:“I should have heard that.” “I should have turned the light off.” “I should not have used panic there.”That is the version I am working on now.I will share more when the prototype is ready to show properly.Thanks for following the project.Read full article on Community Announcements (TmotG)AnnouncementsOfficial
Transition to 3D complete! Next stop DEMO!
Just before starting the Alpha phase, I decided to switch from 2D to 3D and I couldn’t be happier with the result.This change meant reworking almost everything: visuals, shaders, dimensions, movement, input handling, and more. But the effort paid off!. The game now looks way better, and there’s so much potential thanks to the huge range of available 3D assets.I’m currently working on a tutorial level that also serves as a playable demo for you. Here’s my initial draft. I’m excited to see how it will look and feel once it’s fully brought to life in 3D.Here are a few visuals from the current build. Hope you like them!Thanks for your patience and support — I can’t wait to share the demo with you soon!Wishlist “Tainted by the Stars: The Dead Among Us” now: \Every wishlist helps a lot during development — thanks for your support!\Cheers,ChristianPS: Just for comparison, this is what the old 2D version looked like.Hard to believe it’s the same project, right?Read full article on Community Announcements (TmotG)AnnouncementsOfficial
3D Upgrade – Blood FX Reveal
I’ve added a completely new 3D blood effect system to the game. It was quite a challenge to implement, but the result takes the battles to a whole new level of atmosphere.Next up are ranged weapons, which will be added to the game soon.Thanks to everyone following and supporting the development! If you want to stay up to date, make sure to follow the game here on Steam and check back regularly.Check it out on YouTube: 👉 See more details here:Read full article on Community Announcements (TmotG)AnnouncementsOfficial
From 2D to 3D – New Player Animations and Weapon Preview
The work on the new player animations is complete: the transition from 2D to 3D is done, making the gameplay more dynamic.Next, the focus shifts to weapons. First screenshots already show new models – with more weapons currently in development.In addition, the visible attachments will later be unlockable and purchasable, allowing you to customize your playstyle even further.Stay tuned – more updates are coming soon!Short gameplay animation video: Here the weapon preview:Read full article on Community Announcements (TmotG)AnnouncementsOfficial
From 2D to 3D Top-Down
Today I reached an important milestone: switching from a pure 2D setup to a real 3D top-down perspective.My camera is now perspective-based, looking down at the scene from an angle.My character no longer moves on a flat XY plane, but across the XZ plane – just like in proper 3D games.This instantly gives me real depth, shadows and lighting, which changes the look and feel a lot.This was only the first step. Over the next days I want to implement player rotation towards the cursor, adjust aiming and shooting for 3D, and rebuild the enemy AI. Step by step my project will grow into a full 3D top-down shooter.Read full article on Community Announcements (TmotG)
