7 Days to Die Darkness Falls: What It Is & How to Install

Darkness Falls is a total conversion mod for 7 Days to Die that massively expands the game’s progression, crafting, and difficulty. You install it by downloading the mod files, placing them in the game’s Mods folder, and launching the game with the correct version and EAC disabled. This guide explains exactly what the mod changes, how to install it safely, and answers common questions players have.

Formula

Total minutes = Game days × Day length (minutes per day). Total hours = Total minutes ÷ 60.

Where:

• Game days = number of in-game days (e.g., 7)
• Day length = real minutes per in-game day (default 60)
• Total hours = real hours elapsed

Worked Example

Using the defaults: 7 days × 60 minutes = 420 minutes. 420 ÷ 60 = 7.0 hours. So 7 in-game days at default length equals 7 real hours of playtime.

What Darkness Falls Actually Changes

Darkness Falls (often abbreviated DF) is a community-made overhaul that started in Alpha 18 and has been updated for later versions. It is not a simple tweak; it adds dozens of new mechanics that change how you survive:

• New progression trees – Instead of the vanilla perk system, DF uses a class system where you spend skill points in specific trees (e.g., Survivor, Warrior, Scientist).
• More zombies and demons – You’ll face new enemy types, including demons that spawn in the wasteland at night, and tougher variants like the “Behemoth.â€�
• Expanded crafting – New workstations, weapons, armor, and vehicle parts. You can craft advanced items like the gyrocopter and laser weapons.
• Quest and story elements – A series of quests that guide you through the mod’s lore, including a final “endgameâ€� boss.
• Difficulty scaling – The mod is designed to be harder than vanilla, with more aggressive AI and tougher hordes.

Why Players Choose Darkness Falls

Many players install DF because vanilla 7 Days to Die becomes repetitive after a few hundred hours. The mod adds a sense of purpose and long-term goals. For example, the class system forces you to specialize, which encourages cooperative play where each player fills a role. The new enemies and bosses provide a challenge that veteran players crave. It also fixes several quality-of-life issues, such as better UI sorting and more informative tooltips.

How to Install Darkness Falls (Step-by-Step)

Installing DF requires a few steps and a specific game version. Here’s the general process:

1. Check your game version – Darkness Falls is built for a specific Alpha (e.g., A20.6 or A21). In Steam, right-click the game, select Properties → Betas, and choose the correct version from the drop-down.
2. Download the mod – The mod is distributed via the official 7 Days to Die forums or the Darkness Falls Discord. Look for a file like “DarknessFallsA21.zip�.
3. Extract the files – Use a program like 7-Zip or WinRAR to extract the zip. You should see a folder named “DarknessFalls� containing a “Mods� folder and a “Data� folder.
4. Copy to the game directory – Navigate to your Steam installation folder (usually C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\7 Days To Die). Open the “Modsâ€� folder (create it if it doesn’t exist) and copy the entire “DarknessFallsâ€� folder into it.
5. Disable EAC – In Steam, right-click the game, select Properties, and uncheck “Enable Easy Anti-Cheat�. Or launch the game from the “7DaysToDie_EAC_off� shortcut if provided.
6. Start the game – Launch the game. You should see a “Darkness Fallsâ€� logo on the main menu. If not, the mod isn’t loading.

Common Installation Problems and Fixes

Players often run into issues. Here are the most frequent ones:

• Mod doesn’t appear – Usually because you placed the folder in the wrong location. The “DarknessFallsâ€� folder must be directly inside the “Modsâ€� folder, not inside another subfolder.
• Game crashes on startup – Often due to a version mismatch. Ensure you’re running the exact Alpha version the mod requires. Also, delete the “C:\Users\[YourName]\AppData\Local\7DaysToDieâ€� folder (backup saves first) to clear old configs.
• EAC error – If you see “Easy Anti-Cheat is not installedâ€� or similar, you need to disable EAC in Steam properties. The mod is not compatible with EAC.
• Black screen after loading – Try verifying the game files via Steam (right-click → Properties → Local Files → Verify integrity). This can fix corrupted files.

Darkness Falls vs. Other Overhaul Mods

DF is one of several popular overhauls. Here’s a quick comparison:

• Darkness Falls – Focuses on progression, story, and difficulty. Adds classes and demons.
• Undead Legacy – Emphasizes crafting depth, with a more complex inventory system and research mechanics.
• War3zuk – Adds a huge number of new items and blocks, but keeps the vanilla perk system mostly intact.
• Age of Oblivion – A fantasy-themed overhaul with magic and different races.

If you want a challenging, structured experience with a clear endgame, DF is a strong choice. If you prefer a more sandbox feel, Undead Legacy might suit you better.

Safety and Backup Tips

Modding always carries a small risk of save corruption. Always back up your world saves before installing. To do this, copy the folder C:\Users\[YourName]\AppData\Local\7DaysToDie\Saves to a safe location. Also, note that once you play with DF, you cannot load those saves in vanilla without breaking them. It’s best to start a new world when switching to DF.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Darkness Falls compatible with the latest version of 7 Days to Die? No, the mod is always developed for a specific Alpha. Check the mod’s forum page to see which version it supports. As of this writing, it’s commonly available for Alpha 21.

Can I play Darkness Falls with friends? Yes, the mod supports multiplayer. All players must have the mod installed and be on the same game version. You can host a dedicated server or use a hosting service that supports mods.

Does Darkness Falls remove the blood moon horde? No, the blood moon horde still happens, but it’s more intense. The mod also adds a “wandering hordeâ€� mechanic that can appear at any time.

How long does it take to beat Darkness Falls? There’s no set time, but the questline can take 50-100 hours depending on your playstyle and difficulty. The endgame boss is designed to be a significant challenge.

Will my old saves work after updating the mod? Usually no. Major updates often require a new save. Always read the mod’s changelog before updating.

Is Darkness Falls harder than vanilla? Yes, significantly. Enemies are tougher, hordes are larger, and resource scarcity is more pronounced. It’s recommended for players who have already mastered vanilla.

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in t | Game days | days | 7 | 0
in d | Day length | min | 60 | 0
out h | Total hours | hours | (t * d) / 60 | 1
out m | Total minutes | minutes | t * d | 0