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They Don't Sleep official game artwork

THE PRACTICAL GUIDE

They Don't Sleep Guide

Eat, sleep, and shoot zombies in this survival simulator with roguelite elements. Battle to survive until you die and do it all over again. Level up your skills and keep your child alive as you fight to escape

Steam ↗Windows
GameWiki Pro EditorialReviewed 5 guide topics

GET YOUR BEARINGS

Plan your next They Don't Sleep session

Our independent guide breaks down the documented systems of They Don't Sleep, offering observations you can record and compare. Use these exercises to note how different choices affect survival without relying on undocumented shortcuts or promises.

01 / THE GUIDE

Ammo Usage

Log the number of shots fired per zombie in several runs. Compare runs where you conserve ammo versus those where you fire aggressively to see which approach yields longer survival.

  • Maintain a small ammo reserve before engaging larger hordes.
  • Observe how quickly fences degrade to plan timely repairs.

02 / THE GUIDE

Fence Repair Timing

Record the interval between fence damage events. Test repairing immediately versus waiting a short delay, then note how many zombies breach the perimeter in each scenario.

  • Allocate time each run to gather extra food before focusing on combat.
  • Repair fences early to reduce the number of zombies breaking through.
They Don't Sleep official gameplay screenshot
Publisher-provided gameplay image · Missing Middle Games

03 / THE GUIDE

Skill Upgrade Order

Create a simple log of which skill you upgrade first each run. Observe changes in combat efficiency and movement speed to decide the most impactful early upgrade.

  • Consider early upgrades that boost shooting accuracy to reduce ammo waste.
  • Later upgrades to speed can help you outrun larger zombie swarms.

04 / THE GUIDE

Hunger vs. Stress

Track moments when hunger or stress spikes affect gameplay. Compare outcomes when you address hunger first versus stress first, noting any differences in zombie encounters.

  • Pay attention to dialogue for story context that shapes your priorities.
  • Notice how character needs influence your immediate priorities.

05 / THE GUIDE

Truck Repair Duration

Measure how many seconds each truck repair takes in different runs. See whether faster repairs correlate with fewer zombie breaches or higher survival rates.

  • Check the Achievements list for optional challenges to extend playtime.
  • Use Family Sharing to let another account access the same game copy.

WATCH THE GAME

They Don't Sleep videos

Official trailers & gameplay

INSIDE THE WORLD

Screenshots & game images

5 official screenshots

IN THIS WIKI

Your reading checklist

0 of 6 complete

QUICK ANSWERS

They Don't Sleep FAQ

Do skill upgrades stay after I quit the game?

Yes. All skill upgrades persist from run to run, so each new attempt benefits from previous experience.

Is there a tutorial that teaches the basics?

No. The game provides no lengthy tutorial; information appears directly during gameplay for immediate immersion.

Can I play the game without a controller?

Yes. The game runs on Windows and includes Partial Controller Support, but it does not require a controller to play.

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SOURCES & CREDITS

Official resources and further reading

Original editorial guidance. Game imagery and trailers are provided by the publisher through Steam. Media and reference links checked 2026-10-24. Game versions, supported platforms, and balance can change; consult the linked release notes for current details.