Riding through the Ruins: 'Days Gone' Review
Unleashing the biker within to survive the zombie onslaught in an open-world masterpiece.
last updated Dec 05, 2023
It's not just the beauty of the Pacific Northwest that's captivating; it's also the heart-pounding moments of survival that keep you hooked.
The Ride of Your Life
Strap on your helmet and expect to get a gritty taste of what it's like to traverse a world teeming with the undead in 'Days Gone.' The game delivers a fundamentally solid action-packed gameplay, with a customization system that makes sure your bike is as unique as your survival tactics. While the open-world experience and zombie-slaying escapades are pretty on point, there's an undeniable charm in the stealth approach, allowing you to channel your inner ninja amidst the chaos. Plus, if you're into tormenting the undead, who doesn't get a kick out of setting hordes ablaze, right?
An Auditory Post-Apocalyptic Symphony
Turn up the volume and let the desolation serenade you, for the audio in 'Days Gone' is nothing short of an aural masterpiece. From the groans of the shuffling Freakers to the robust revving of Deacon's motorcycle, the sound design nails it. The soundtrack also deserves a shoutout for complementing the narrative highs and lows, making you feel everything from the heart-pumping terror of a horde chase to the somber reflection of a world lost. And let's not ignore the voice acting – though it might occasionally swing to the cringe-side of things in cutscenes, the overall audio experience is stellar.
Visual Vistas and Performance Peaks
Visually, 'Days Gone' is like that one friend who always looks effortlessly cool in photos—the rugged landscapes and dilapidated structures are rendered beautifully. The game's fidelity on the PC platform is a sight for sore eyes, with the developers squeezing every ounce of graphical prowess out of the system. And for the performance aficionados out there, it's smoother than your best pick-up line, with a rock-solid frame rate, because nobody likes a stuttering zombie. The occasional bugs might pinch, but they're as rare as finding a full plate of nachos at the end of the world.
Connecting with the Freakers
The narrative threading through 'Days Gone' is akin to that old, frayed book you can't help but love. The tale of Deacon St. John constantly wavers between tropes and treasures but eventually finds its groove. Character development is like aging wine – it gets better the further you dive in. There's a romantic plot, survival angst, and just when you think it's all been done before, the game hits you with moments that genuinely make you care. And while the pacing might stumble like a newborn undead, the overall story has enough meat to keep you hungry for more.
Survivor's Chores
For those who think that 'Days Gone' is just another run-of-the-mill zombie action fare, think again. The game throws at you a delicate balance of survival mechanics that keeps you on your toes. Whether it's maintaining your bike or stockpiling resources for the long haul against a horde, the game ensures that the day-to-day grind is as intense as the freaker fights. Sure, some might grumble about the repetitiveness of missions, but aren't daily chores repetitive too? It's the spice of near-death experiences that keeps the mundane exciting – and the game has plenty.
STEAM RATING
Developer
Bend Studio
Publisher
PlayStation PC LLC
Release Date
May 17, 2021
Verdict
In 'Days Gone,' whether you're a lone wolf survivor or a sappy romantic with a penchant for high-speed chases, there's something for everyone in this open-world zombie escapade. It's not just the beauty of the Pacific Northwest that's captivating; it's also the heart-pounding moments of survival that keep you hooked. With its gripping combat, expansive gameplay, and authentic biker vibes, 'Days Gone' manages to steer clear of the horde of generic zombie titles, letting its engine roar triumphantly in the face of apocalypse clichés.
