Days Gone Review

Summary: Discover the captivating world of Days Gone, an open-world zombie survival game that has enthralled players with its engaging storyline and intense gameplay. This review will delve into the game's mechanics, graphics, storyline, and overall playability, providing insights into what makes it stand out in the zombie game genre.

A Quick Recap of Days Gone

Days Gone is an action-adventure survival horror game developed by Bend Studio and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment. Released in April 2019, it quickly gained popularity among zombie game enthusiasts, drawing comparisons to other highly-rated titles like DayZ and The Forest.

Developer: Bend Studio
Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment
Release Date: April 26, 2019
Platform: PlayStation 4, PC

Storyline and Setting

Set in a post-apocalyptic open world in the Pacific Northwest, Days Gone follows the story of Deacon St. John, a former outlaw-turned-drifter and bounty hunter. The game takes place two years after a global pandemic wiped out most of humanity and transformed millions into mindless, zombie-like creatures called Freakers.

The story revolves around Deacon's journey through the dangerous world as he searches for his missing wife, Sarah, and confronts various threats. Some key aspects of the storyline include:

• A vast and immersive game world filled with diverse environments, such as forests, mountains, and abandoned towns.
• A rich cast of characters, each with their backstory and motivations.
• Engaging narrative that explores themes of survival, hope, and humanity in the face of overwhelming odds.

Gameplay Mechanics and Features

Days Gone offers a unique blend of exploration, survival, and combat mechanics, providing players with a challenging and rewarding experience. Here are some of the main gameplay features:

1. Open-World Exploration: Traverse the massive game world on foot or using Deacon's trusty motorcycle, the Drifter Bike. Discover hidden locations, scavenge for resources, and uncover the secrets of the devastated world.
2. Survival: Manage your resources wisely, as ammunition, fuel, and food are scarce. Be prepared to make tough decisions and adapt to ever-changing conditions.
3. Combat System: Engage in an intense combat against enemies, including human factions and the relentless Freakers. Use stealth, melee, and ranged weapons to take down threats.
4. Crafting and Upgrades: Collect resources and craft useful items like Molotov cocktails, bandages, and makeshift weapons. Upgrade your gear, weapons, and bike to improve your chances of survival.
5. Dynamic World: Experience a living, breathing world that reacts to your actions. The weather system and day-night cycle affect visibility and the behaviour of the Freakers and other creatures.

Days Gone's gameplay mechanics are reminiscent of popular titles, such as 7 Days to Die and Project Zomboid. Still, it carves its identity with unique features and a compelling story.

Graphics and Sound Design

Days Gone boasts impressive visuals that bring its post-apocalyptic world to life. The game's graphics are characterized by:

• High-quality textures and detailed environments.
• Realistic character models and lifelike animations.
• Dynamic lighting and weather effects add to the atmosphere.

The sound design is equally immersive, featuring: 

• Ambient noises and sound effects contribute to the game's eerie atmosphere.

• A haunting and memorable soundtrack composed by Nathan Whitehead perfectly complements the game's tone and setting.
• Authentic and emotive voice acting performances from the cast, including Sam Witwer as Deacon St. John.

Days Gone's attention to detail in graphics and sound design enhances the overall gaming experience, making it stand out among other titles like ZombiU and Dead Matter.

Replayability and Longevity

Days Gone offers a substantial amount of content, ensuring that players have plenty to do even after completing the main story. Some features that contribute to the game's replayability and longevity include:

1. Side Missions: Complete various side missions and tasks for different characters, expanding the game's story and rewarding players with valuable resources and upgrades.
2. Collectables: Search for hidden collectables scattered throughout the game world, such as audio logs, historical markers, and character figurines.
3. Difficulty Settings: Choose from multiple difficulty levels to challenge your skills and adapt your gameplay style.
4. Challenge Modes: Tackle post-launch challenge modes that test your combat, survival, and traversal abilities, and compete against other players on online leaderboards.
5. Post-Launch Content: Enjoy new storylines, weapons, and gameplay features introduced through post-launch updates and expansions.

The wealth of content available in Days Gone makes it a worthwhile investment for fans of the genre, providing hours of entertainment similar to open-world zombie games like Dying Light and State of Decay.

Community and Multiplayer Aspects

While Days Gone is primarily a single-player experience, it has garnered a passionate community of fans who share their experiences, strategies, and in-game discoveries through various platforms. These include:

• Official forums and social media groups
• Fan websites and wikis
• Streaming platforms like Twitch and YouTube

Though Days Gone doesn't feature traditional multiplayer gameplay, its challenge modes and online leaderboards provide a competitive aspect that encourages players to compare their skills with others worldwide.

The Verdict

Days Gone is a captivating and immersive open-world zombie game that offers a thrilling experience for fans of the genre. To summarize, here are the main pros and cons of the game:

Pros:

• The engaging and emotional storyline
• Immersive open-world environment with diverse locations
• Challenging survival and combat mechanics
• High-quality graphics and sound design
• Extensive replayability and post-launch content

Cons:

• Some technical issues and bugs at launch (mostly resolved through patches)
• Lack of traditional multiplayer gameplay

Overall, Days Gone is a must-play for zombie game enthusiasts and those who appreciate a rich narrative in an open-world setting. It's unique features and captivating story make it a worthy addition to the best zombie games list.

Days Gone Compared to Other Popular Zombie Games

While Days Gone shares some similarities with other top titles in the genre, it sets itself apart through its emotionally-driven storyline, expansive open world, and dynamic gameplay mechanics. In comparison to games like DayZ and 7 Days to Die, Days Gone places a stronger emphasis on narrative and character development, making it an ideal choice.