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MONSTER

Days Gone

Name: Comprehensive Review and Analysis of Days Gone
Item: Days Gone
Author: Critik Editorial Team

2019

GenresAdventure, Action, Third Person Perspective, Shooter, Horror, Open World, Drama, Single Player

AvailableApr 26, 2019

PlatformPlayStation 4, PC

DeveloperSony Bend

Overview

Days Gone is an open-world action-adventure game set in a harsh wilderness two years after a devastating global pandemic. Play as Deacon St. John, a Drifter and bounty hunter who rides the broken road, fighting to survive while searching for a reason to live. At its core, Days Gone is about survivors and what makes them human: desperation, loss, madness, betrayal, friendship, brotherhood, regret, love – and hope. It’s about how even when confronted with such enormous tragedy they find a reason to live. Hope never dies.

Elsewhere

8.3

Game analysis

Monster Scorecard

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Story and Narrative

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR STORY

Story Score

Positive (80-100)

37%

Mixed (50-79)

49%

Negative (0-49)

14%

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the story and narrative.

The story of Days Gone has received a mix of positive and negative feedback from critics. Some reviewers, like GRYOnline.pl and But Why Tho??, praised the game for its strong narrative, well-written characters, and engaging dialogues. They appreciated the emotional depth of the story, driven by themes of grief, friendships, love, and desperation, particularly focusing on Deacon's search for his lost wife and his relationships with other characters. The narrative was commended for offering a mix of intense moments and quiet contemplation, adding layers to the protagonist's journey. On the other hand, several critics, such as Metro GameCentral and Telegraph, criticized the story for being cliched, lacking depth, and featuring one-dimensional characters. They highlighted issues with predictability, lack of character development, and a narrative that failed to engage with traditional zombie themes effectively. Critics like Digital Chumps and The Sydney Morning Herald also pointed out flaws in the storytelling, mentioning convoluted plotlines, unclear narrative direction, and a fragmented structure that made it challenging to follow a central storyline. Additionally, some reviewers, like Game Revolution and GameCrate, mentioned that while the central story about Deacon's personal quest was compelling, the game was let down by generic side missions and lack of world-building. Overall, the consensus among critics leans towards a mixed reception of the story in Days Gone. While some praised the emotional depth, character development, and engaging relationships portrayed in the narrative, others highlighted issues with predictability, lack of originality, and pacing problems. The game seems to have succeeded in creating a captivating post-apocalyptic world with a relatable protagonist, but it also struggled with cliches, underwhelming revelations, and disjointed storytelling. As noted by TheGamer, the narrative could have been more concise and focused, cutting down on unnecessary missions and cliched tropes to deliver a more impactful and cohesive storytelling experience.

TL;DR

story and narrative

Days Gone's story receives mixed reviews: praised for emotional depth, character development, and engaging relationships by some, but criticized for cliches, lack of depth, and pacing issues by others. The narrative explores themes of grief and relationships, but struggles with predictability and generic side missions. Critics agree on a captivating post-apocalyptic world and relatable protagonist, but debate over the execution of the story, calling for a more concise and focused approach.

Gameplay Mechanics

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR GAMEPLAY

Gameplay Score

Positive (80-100)

45%

Mixed (50-79)

49%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the gameplay mechanics.

The gameplay of Days Gone received praise from several critics for its satisfying combat mechanics, engaging horde encounters, and challenging missions. Critics like Impulsegamer and GameSpew highlighted the mix of combat, exploration, crafting, and mission completion as dynamic and addictive, offering a thrilling experience once players delve deeper into the game. The melee combat was considered a standout feature by PC Gamer and Cultured Vultures, providing meaningful content and challenging encounters. The motorcycle mechanics, survival elements, and varied zombie types were also appreciated by Trusted Reviews, adding depth to the gameplay experience. On the downside, the gameplay of Days Gone faced criticism for various issues such as repetitive missions, lackluster enemy AI, and grindy mechanics. AusGamers and FANDOM pointed out issues with gunplay, enemy behavior, and mission design, with combat being described as repetitive and lacking depth. The game was also criticized for underutilizing its unique elements like zombie hordes and customizable bikes, as mentioned by Metro GameCentral and Destructoid. Some critics, like Game Revolution, highlighted pacing issues in the early hours of the game, affecting the overall entertainment value. Overall, the consensus among critics regarding the gameplay of Days Gone is mixed. While some critics appreciated the engaging combat, challenging missions, and dynamic gameplay mechanics, others found the game to suffer from repetitive tasks, lack of depth in certain gameplay aspects, and pacing issues. The game's unique elements like zombie hordes and survival mechanics were praised by some critics, while others felt that the game failed to fully capitalize on its potential. Despite the varied opinions, it is evident that Days Gone offers a blend of familiar open-world mechanics with a mix of combat, exploration, and survival elements that can provide both thrilling moments and moments of frustration, as highlighted by critics like Push Square and TheGamer.

TL;DR

gameplay mechanics

Days Gone gameplay praised for satisfying combat and engaging horde encounters, but criticized for repetitive missions and lackluster enemy AI. Mixed opinions on unique elements like zombie hordes and survival mechanics. Offers dynamic experience with thrilling moments and some frustrations, as noted by critics.

Graphics and Visual Design

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR VISUALS

Visual Score

Positive (80-100)

66%

Mixed (50-79)

34%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the graphics and visual design.

The critics generally praise the graphics and visual design of Days Gone for its stunning environments and attention to detail. Easy Allies notes the visually pleasing rural settings and diverse camps, while Digital Chumps highlights the beautiful environments that change with random weather, adding depth to the world. App Trigger mentions the depiction of Oregon as a ravaged land with a mix of nature and horror, and GameSpew commends the beautiful setting with stunning scenery and dynamic weather. The Sydney Morning Herald and Guardian both appreciate the well-realized landscapes and dynamic weather systems that enhance the visual experience, with the latter mentioning the detailed character models and real-time weather effects. On the downside, several critics point out technical issues that impact the visual experience of Days Gone. Digital Chumps, We Got This Covered, and CGMagazine mention rendering issues, framerate problems, crashes, freezes, and texture loading issues. Shacknews notes accessibility issues for color-blind players, while PC Gamer criticizes the lack of depth in exploration and the feeling of a dead world with little to discover. Cheat Code Central and Hardcore Gamer report issues with textures, crashes, framerate drops, and visual bugs that detract from the overall immersion in the game. Overall, while Days Gone receives praise for its impressive visuals, detailed environments, and atmospheric world design, there is a consensus among critics that technical issues such as inconsistent framerates, rendering problems, crashes, and texture loading issues hinder the overall visual experience. Critics like Game Rant and Worth Playing acknowledge the stunning visuals and attention to detail in the Pacific Northwest setting, but the mixed feedback from critics like GameCrate and USgamer about repetitive environments and performance issues suggest a need for improvement in optimizing the game's technical aspects for a smoother and more immersive visual presentation. Despite the technical challenges, the majority of critics appreciate the beauty and detail of the world created in Days Gone, with some, like TheGamer, highlighting memorable moments and impressive graphical fidelity that elevate the overall experience for players.

TL;DR

graphics and visual design

Days Gone receives high praise for its stunning visuals, detailed environments, and atmospheric world design from critics, with accolades for its beautiful landscapes, dynamic weather, and realistic character models. However, technical issues such as rendering problems, crashes, framerate drops, and texture loading problems detract from the overall visual experience, according to critics. While the game showcases impressive graphics, there is a consensus among reviewers that improvements are needed to optimize technical aspects for a smoother and more immersive presentation.

Music and Sound Design

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR SOUND DESIGN

Sound Score

Positive (80-100)

57%

Mixed (50-79)

39%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the music and sound design.

The sound design and music of Days Gone received a lot of praise from the critics. Many reviewers highlighted the exceptional quality of the sound effects, particularly in creating immersive gameplay experiences. COGconnected commended the excellent sound design for guns, which added to the satisfaction of gameplay moments, while Cheat Code Central and Cultured Vultures both emphasized how the sound design enhanced the atmosphere of the game, with weather conditions affecting gameplay and creating tension. Additionally, DualShockers and GameSpew appreciated how the sound design effectively created a tense atmosphere, with chilling vocals from the Freakers adding to the overall experience. On the other hand, some critics pointed out certain issues with the sound design and music in Days Gone. Digital Chumps mentioned issues with Deacon's motorcycle sound and immersion-breaking moments due to inconsistent sound levels. GameCrate highlighted frequent sound cut out bugs and phoned-in voice acting that impacted the immersion and gameplay experience. Telegraph criticized distractions like the constant crackle of Deacon's radio and the need for frequent fuel stops, which hindered the overall experience. App Trigger also experienced an audio glitch where all sounds besides voices were muted until a game restart, indicating potential technical issues affecting the sound design. Overall, the consensus among the critics regarding the sound design and music of Days Gone leans towards the positive side. Despite some technical issues and inconsistencies noted by a few reviewers, the majority appreciated the immersive atmosphere created by the sound effects, the quality of voice acting, and the impact of the music on enhancing the overall gameplay experience. Critics like GRYOnline.pl and Shacknews highlighted the strong voice acting and soundtrack in the game, while FANDOM praised the atmospheric score by Nathan Whitehead. The general sentiment suggests that while there were some drawbacks and technical hiccups, the sound design and music of Days Gone contributed significantly to the overall enjoyment and immersion of the game for most critics.

TL;DR

music and sound design

Critics praised Days Gone for its exceptional sound design and music, creating immersive gameplay experiences with quality sound effects. Some highlighted the satisfaction of gun sounds and tense atmosphere enhanced by weather conditions. However, issues like inconsistent sound levels, immersion-breaking moments, and technical glitches were noted. Overall, critics leaned towards the positive, appreciating the immersive atmosphere, voice acting quality, and music impact despite some drawbacks.

Voice Acting

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR VOICE ACTING

Acting Score

Positive (80-100)

53%

Mixed (50-79)

33%

Negative (0-49)

14%

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the voice acting.

The voice acting in Days Gone has received a mix of positive feedback from critics. Several reviewers, such as App Trigger and Cultured Vultures, praised Sam Witwer's performance as Deacon St. John for effectively conveying the character's depth and emotional journey. Additionally, critics like Cheat Code Central and Game Rant highlighted how the voice acting helped convey the emotional depth of the characters and their struggles in the post-apocalyptic world. The dedication and diversity in the voice acting, as noted by Easy Allies, contributed to surprising and emotionally powerful moments in the story, enhancing the overall presentation and immersion of the game. On the other hand, some critics expressed concerns about the voice acting in Days Gone. For instance, The Sydney Morning Herald mentioned Deacon's voice performance vacillating between schoolboy mumbling and unhinged screaming, which could be off-putting to some players. Critics like The Guardian and Metro GameCentral criticized the lack of depth in characterizations and dialogue, noting that the characters came across as inarticulately angry or melancholy, affecting the overall storytelling experience. Additionally, GameCrate pointed out that some voice acting performances felt phoned in, impacting the quality of the narrative delivery. Overall, the consensus among critics regarding the voice acting in Days Gone leans towards the positive side, with many acknowledging standout performances, particularly by Sam Witwer as Deacon St. John. The voice acting was praised for bringing the characters to life, conveying powerful scenes effectively, and supporting genuine character moments in the story, as highlighted by God is a Geek and We Got This Covered. However, there were criticisms about inconsistent performances, lack of depth in characterizations, and instances of immersion-breaking dialogues, as noted by various critics like The Guardian and Worth Playing. Despite some drawbacks, the majority of critics appreciated the voice acting for its contribution to the overall narrative experience in Days Gone.

TL;DR

voice acting

Critics have mixed opinions on the voice acting in Days Gone. While some praise Sam Witwer's performance as Deacon St. John for its depth and emotion, others criticize inconsistencies and lack of depth in characterizations. Overall, the voice acting adds to the game's immersion and storytelling, but some performances fell short, according to various critics.

Technical Performance

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR TECHNICAL PERFORMANCE

Tech Score

Positive (80-100)

31%

Mixed (50-79)

50%

Negative (0-49)

19%

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the technical performance.

The opinions of the critics regarding the technical performance of Days Gone vary across different gaming platforms. On the positive side for the PC version, critics like Metro GameCentral and Attack of the Fanboy praise the stable performance and improved technology compared to the PlayStation 4 version. The PC port is commended for running well even on modest hardware, offering high frame rates, and no major bugs reported. Additionally, Worth Playing highlights the almost flawless performance on PC, with smooth uncapped FPS and an ideal gaming experience even on average gaming laptops. On the negative side for the PS4 version, multiple critics such as GRYOnline.pl, GameCrate, and God is a Geek mention issues like poor optimization, frequent bugs, crashes, framerate drops, freezing, lagging, and long load times. These technical issues impact the overall stability and playability of the game, hindering immersion and gameplay experience. Furthermore, critics like Push Square and Game Informer note bugs, glitches, and design flaws that detract from the enjoyment of the game, including problematic side-quests, sound issues, and inconsistent framerates. Overall, the consensus among the critics indicates that Days Gone faces significant technical challenges on the PS4 platform, with various performance issues affecting gameplay immersion and stability. However, the PC port of the game receives more positive feedback, with improved performance, stability, and graphics, providing a smoother and more enjoyable gaming experience. Critics like COGconnected and GameSkinny highlight the top-notch performance and stability of the PC version, suggesting that it outperforms the PS4 version in terms of technical performance. While some critics acknowledge that patches have addressed initial bugs on both platforms, the general sentiment leans towards a more favorable technical experience on PC compared to PS4 for Days Gone.

TL;DR

technical performance

Critics praise Days Gone on PC for stable performance and high frame rates, while PS4 version faces issues like poor optimization and frequent bugs. PC offers smoother gameplay experience, outperforming PS4 in technical performance.

Replay Value

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR REPLAY VALUE

Replay Score

Positive (80-100)

Mixed (50-79)

80%

Negative (0-49)

11%

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the replay value.

The opinions of the critics regarding the replay value of Days Gone are varied, with some highlighting positive aspects that contribute to the game's potential for multiple playthroughs. Critics such as Cultured Vultures and Wccftech appreciate the dense amount of content, evolving protagonist, engaging combat encounters, and strong replay value for completionists due to the large number of story missions and activities. The game's open-world exploration opportunities, character progression system, and various gameplay mechanics are also mentioned as positive aspects by GRYOnline.pl and GameSpew, enhancing the replayability for those invested in the world and narrative. On the other hand, several critics point out certain negatives that may hinder the game's replay value. Game Rant and GameCrate criticize the lack of innovation, tedious content, repetitive side missions, and lack of compelling gameplay experiences outside of structured missions, limiting the incentive for multiple playthroughs. Additionally, critics like Metro GameCentral and Slant Magazine mention the game's repetitive and unimaginative mission design, lack of depth, and tiresome experience as factors that may deter players from revisiting the game for extended periods. Overall, while Days Gone offers a mix of main story missions, side quests, and activities that provide some replay value, the consensus among critics leans towards a more cautious approach. Some critics, like App Trigger and Cheat Code Central, appreciate the Variety of activities, upgrades, and choices that enhance replayability. However, others, such as Telegraph and Slant Magazine, express concerns about the lack of depth, meaningful content, and repetitive nature of certain aspects, which may limit the long-term engagement and appeal for multiple playthroughs. The game's length, open-world exploration, and additional content on the PC version are acknowledged as factors that could potentially extend the replay value, but the overall sentiment suggests that Days Gone may not offer enough to keep players engaged for numerous playthroughs, especially for those seeking a more diverse and immersive gameplay experience.

TL;DR

replay value

Critics have mixed opinions on the replay value of Days Gone. Some praise its dense content, evolving protagonist, and engaging combat for completionists, while others criticize its lack of innovation, repetitive missions, and lack of depth. Overall, the consensus is that while the game offers some replayability with its variety of activities, upgrades, and choices, concerns about repetitive gameplay and lack of depth may limit long-term engagement for multiple playthroughs.

Overall Verdict

MONSTER

OVERALL SCORE DISTRIBUTION

Monster Score

Positive (80-100)

51%

Mixed (50-79)

46%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing all available reviews that scored and critiqued the game.

In analyzing the opinions of the critics on Days Gone, it is evident that the game has garnered praise for several aspects. Critics such as Cheat Code Central, GRYOnline.pl, and Daily Star commend the game for its strong narrative, engaging gameplay mechanics, immersive atmosphere, well-developed characters, and superb zombie-slaying combat. The game's compelling storytelling, addictive gameplay loop, and captivating world design have been highlighted as standout features, providing players with a satisfying and enjoyable experience. However, Days Gone has not been without its shortcomings, as pointed out by various critics. AusGamers, Slant Magazine, and Variety criticize the game for its technical issues, deplorable gunplay, lack of consequence, stretched-out journey, and narrative cohesion problems. The game's failure to deliver on its promises, reliance on tired tropes, and dated storytelling have been mentioned as significant drawbacks that hinder the overall experience for players. Additionally, some critics, such as ZTGD and God is a Geek, note the presence of bugs, glitches, and inconsistent gameplay experiences that detract from the game's potential. Overall, the consensus among the critics regarding Days Gone is mixed. While some critics, like GameSkinny and Impulsegamer, praise the game as one of the best open-world experiences with captivating elements and a polished presentation, others, such as Slant Magazine and TheSixthAxis, view it as falling short of its potential with lackluster execution and technical issues. The game is acknowledged for its moments of brilliance, engaging combat mechanics, and compelling post-apocalyptic setting, but its flaws in storytelling, technical performance, and originality prevent it from reaching the heights of other top-tier titles in the genre. Despite its imperfections, Days Gone manages to offer a worthwhile experience for players who appreciate survival-horror themes and open-world exploration, albeit with room for improvement in future iterations.

TL;DR

Days Gone receives praise for its strong narrative, immersive world, and engaging combat, but faces criticism for technical issues, lackluster gunplay, and storytelling flaws. While some critics laud its open-world experience, others feel it falls short due to execution and glitches. Ultimately, the game offers a satisfying survival-horror adventure with potential for improvement in future releases.

MONSTER

Reviews

249 reviews found

100

Daily Star

PlayStation 4

Apr 28, 2019