|
|
|
DAYS GONE (PS4)
|
Publisher: Sony.
Developer: Bend Studio. Released: April 2019. Genre: Open-world; Survival Horror. Posted 19th November 2020. By Shane Battams © 2020 |
|
Drifting through development for most of the PS4’s lifecycle, Days Gone represents the talented Bend Studio’s stab at an open-world, zombie apocalypse. That basic description sounds unremarkable, but once you start to peel away its more derivative layers, a solid and very compelling game starts to emerge. Creating a divide between ambivalent critics and enthusiastic players, Deacon’s tale of sorrow and grief proves engaging, while a plethora of well-designed, fun open-world activities keep you playing on. Days Gone is proof that, while listening to mainstream critics does have its benefits, sometimes you just need to try the game for yourself.
Like Sons of Anarchy meets The Walking Dead, Days Gone follows the drifter Deacon St. John and his friend Boozer, both former Motorcycle Club members trying to survive in a bleak post-apocalyptic Oregon, overrun by dangerous Freakers and vicious humans. Deek is stricken with grief as, during the opening prologue, his injured wife Sarah boards a helicopter, never to be seen again. This tragic backbone lends a compelling strand to Days Gone, but it also proves a bone of contention for protagonist Deacon. His actions are questionable, sometimes selfish and extremely destructive, walking a fine line between sympathetic anti-hero and repulsive. Tensions begin to fray and survivors split into multiple camps, with survivors harbouring unique backstories and complicated relationships with St. John, it becomes really engaging, even if the third quarter of the game does start to feel a tad bloated.
It may look peaceful, but the Oregon of Days Gone is packed with danger
Days Gone melds a number of familiar elements, echoing the patchwork nature of Sleeping Dogs back in 2012. Giving you a fairly large chunk of Oregon as your playground, you’ll open up more of the world as you progress through the story, with distinct camps allowing fast travel between points. Deacon can ride his motorcycle and take potshots with his sidearm, or travel on foot, the latter letting you enter combat with hostiles. Hostile Camps often start in a stealth state, allowing you to sneak behind guards and perform a grizzly kill. Shooting often comes into play too, with a slew of weaponry including assault rifles, snipers, a crossbow with customisable arrowheads and crafted explosives or distraction items, both of which prove invaluable for dealing with multiple Freakers. Everything works well, all anchored by Deacon’s unlockable skills which can improve his aim, stamina and health. It sounds like familiar territory, but solid fundamentals and some unique kinks keep things enjoyable.
Along with story missions, camp owners gift side quests and allow you to resupply and refuel your motorbike. Speaking of which, this is your only method of travel, but it proves fun to ride with just enough lightness to allow for some hangtime. You can also upgrade the hog with performance parts which allow access to certain parts of the map, customisable paint and decals paying homage to other games. There’s a lot of busywork here, and while plentiful cut-scenes and character development keep you wanting more, the game’s pacing is uneven, with a particularly slog during your visit to the South of Oregon. But the derivative parts of Days Gone still forms a cohesive whole, with the gameplay loop seeing you complete missions, thus unlocking more upgrades for both Deacon and your bike, enabling you to take on tougher hordes and side quests. The latter proves very enjoyable, including bounty hunts, ambush camps and tasks to aid the camps. The main story is fairly lengthy, with additional quests pushing it to easily around the 70-hour mark.
Along with story missions, camp owners gift side quests and allow you to resupply and refuel your motorbike. Speaking of which, this is your only method of travel, but it proves fun to ride with just enough lightness to allow for some hangtime. You can also upgrade the hog with performance parts which allow access to certain parts of the map, customisable paint and decals paying homage to other games. There’s a lot of busywork here, and while plentiful cut-scenes and character development keep you wanting more, the game’s pacing is uneven, with a particularly slog during your visit to the South of Oregon. But the derivative parts of Days Gone still forms a cohesive whole, with the gameplay loop seeing you complete missions, thus unlocking more upgrades for both Deacon and your bike, enabling you to take on tougher hordes and side quests. The latter proves very enjoyable, including bounty hunts, ambush camps and tasks to aid the camps. The main story is fairly lengthy, with additional quests pushing it to easily around the 70-hour mark.
FOCAL POINT: FOR THE HORDE
|
|
Throughout development, Hordes have been one of Days Gone’s key selling points. The tech is very impressive indeed, seeing dozens of Freakers swarm the screen at once and very few instants of slowdown. But the cool part is how it affects gameplay, often adding in a combustible element to an already chaotic world. Whether you’re travelling to a quest location, sometimes pre-determined by the story or tackling hordes in the endgame once they become marked on the map, Hordes often have a nasty habit of attacking without prejudice – or care if you’re trying to complete a mission. When you factor in the sometimes-limited resources to combat them, the sheer number of zombies to contend with and the unsettling music which accompanies their alert state, and you have a foe which proves terrifying should you have the misfortune to come across a Horde.
Despite the aforementioned technical feat, Days Gone isn’t always the prettiest game. Some of the smaller details, like NPC models and animations, look a touch dated and some noticeable visual bugs can snap you out of the experience. But Oregon makes up for these shortcomings, a dreary tundra with dilapidated tourist hotspots, beautiful weather effects (especially snow) and remnants of normality brutalised by an apocalypse. The voice work is great, particularly Sam Witwer’s layered motion-captured performance of Deacon St. John, adding heft to many cinematics. The music, utilising a mix of carefully placed acoustic accompaniments and more dread-inducing scores, works really well, and the brutal combat sound effects punctuate every action.
|
|
Days Gone proves an enjoyable zombie romp which remains compelling, despite some pacing missteps. The familial elements of this oversaturated genre gel together with the quirks of a dilapidated Oregon, making for a compelling experience. The tragic narrative thread works, even as you swing from sympathising with, to despising Deacon St. John. The terrifying presence of Hordes adds tension to everything you do. It doesn’t quite live with the best of Sony’s catalogue of PS4 exclusives, but despite being edged out by the likes of Horizon Zero Dawn, this is one sandbox you don’t want to sleep on.
|
|
VERDICT
“Days Gone proves an enjoyable zombie romp which remains compelling despite some uneven pacing.” OVERALL: 8/10 |