The hype for the PS5 is probably at an all time high, so what better solution for Sony to release a new exclusivity to keep us from nibbling any longer? Enter Days Gone: the developer's answer to the latest survival horror hole shaped like us in our hearts. This is hands down one of the best games for PS4... except that Sony's latest offering didn't really salivate us like we'd hoped, leaving a bland taste in our hungry post-apocalyptic mouths. So here at TheComparison, two of our editors decided to have a well-informed discussion about where Days Gone went wrong and whether Sony is losing control of the Exclusivity crown in hopes of answering the question: Should I buy Days Partis on PS4? ? Vic Hood (VH), Video Game Author: Nick, I don't know about you, but I found Days Gone to be without a doubt one of the most disappointing titles this year. I know we're not too far off in 2019, but I'm super excited about this title as it was revealed at E3 and I couldn't have been more upset. I compare this to others saying it's like Sons of Anarchy meets The Walking Dead... at the end of the season... when you stop wanting to look because it's null. Nick Pino (NP), Editor-in-Chief: I know you're a lot further along in the game than yourself, so take this with a bit of salt, but so far I honestly don't hate the world that Sony's Bend Studio has created. here. From a narrative standpoint, I appreciate the mix of zombie bikers, although some dialogue can be a bit choppy, and in terms of gameplay, I find it to be a slightly less polished version of The Last of Us. What did you think of the gameplay? VH: I agree 100% with you to tell you that it is one of the least refined of The Last of Us. The problem I'm having is that the whole game feels like a smaller, crazier version of TLoU. The crafting mechanics are very basic to begin with, and I understand that it is the apocalypse. Perhaps the more advanced in the game, the more generous the options, but you'll be using the same items for most recipes. The recipes you can create and the items needed to create them are very limited: a bottle of beer here, a small chunk here. I also have a grudge for the way the bike behaves and in general how do you feel about a game that relies heavily on its roadster element? It all seems pretty boring. I compare this to others saying it's like the Sons of Anarchy met The Walking Dead... in recent seasons... when you stop wanting to look because they're trash... It all seems pretty boring. At first, I was really into the fight sequences and in that is the feeling of directing an ax at a Freaker or the way crossbows have to be raised, just a little bit to deal with gravity. But the fight quickly becomes repetitive. There's just nothing new in the mechanics of Days Gone that excites me. It sounds like a repeat of every survival horror we've seen before, which has become a title I think we'll all have forgotten about in a few short weeks. Is it a lot like Far Cry 5 in that it could have been something great and not quite as spot on in terms of mechanics and storytelling?
The bike leveling system is a strong point, but its handling can be frustrating (Image credit: Sony) NP: There's a lot of wasted potential here, yes. Deek (Deacon St. John) is a suave leading man, largely because he has his own moral code for him in a world he's been screwing up, but I can't say that he really hooked up with the other characters in the in the same way. This is a stark contrast to games like TLoU, in which I was interested in both Joel and Ellie, and shows like The Walking Dead, in which there was a whole team of characters endowed with 39 real depth and emotional investment. Days Gone hasn't given me reason to care about anyone else yet, but that changes even more as I play through Sarah's missions. I think the biggest problem is that for the vast majority of the game, the fighting is tedious. When TLoU was very dynamic, you always had the feeling that it was a fight for your life and you had to use all your arsenal to survive the fights, I mainly used a rifle and a rifle to overcome all the obstacles. Global fight and mission. But all this changes when you have to face a swarm of Freakers. Have you ever fought against one of the hordes? Hordes are perhaps one of Days Gone's most powerful features, as we've never seen anything like this in a "zombie" game, but they use so many resources, such as ammunition, that you can't engage as much. as you potentially want. VH: I remember the hordes were one of the biggest draws in the game when it was revealed. Being chased by Legions of Freakers seemed like the perfect mix of adrenaline and fear. But in fact, I'm still a little disappointed. Hordes are perhaps one of Days Gone's most powerful features, as we've never seen anything like this in a "zombie" game, but they use so many resources, such as ammunition, that you can't engage as much. as you potentially want. Killing for the Horde is probably something you can enjoy more late game, but getting this far so far has proven to be a struggle. It would be great if they differentiated the hordes a bit more (there are small differences) instead of more Freakers = more hard difficulty. The blood is pumping but tires quickly. It would be great if the individual Freakers had so much spice to them... How did you find the world itself? I was a little disappointed to be honest, but I played on an original PS4...
The hordes are potentially the most exciting feature in Days Gone (Image credit: Sony) NP: I think the Freakers aren't informed enough about the past, that's what The Walking Dead did, but I find it more frustrating here than in last.
Something I didn't like at first was the role of the bicycle in the world. It's not just a way to get around, it really needs a life of its own to keep it going, keep it full of gas.
Something I didn't like at first was the role of the bicycle in the world. It's not just a way to get around, it really needs a life of its own to keep it going, keep it full of gas. Some people will probably see it as a superficial way of adding another gameplay element, but I think it really adds something special to the game. That being said, I can't say I like relatively little terrain. Features chosen by Bend Studios. I know the team really wanted to create something as close to the studio's home in Bend, Oregon as possible, but I think it could have used a few extra features to break up the monotony of the landscape.
As far as gameplay quality goes, it's a mixed bag. I'm playing on a PS4 Pro with a new LG Nano Cell TV and have never been impressed with the visuals, but the environments aren't particularly unpleasant. However, I have noticed a few stray images here and there.
So I think I know the answer to this question, but what is its place in your pantheon of great survival horror games? While I really enjoy my time with this game, it certainly never reaches the same height as The Last of Us or modern Resident Evil games, but I think its leagues are better than any other game. Open world zombies we've seen before. - especially Decay 2's catastrophic state of Dead Island, Dead Island and Undead Labs. This is the game I would buy... when it will inevitably go on sale.
Given Sony's budget and resources, Days Gone should have been better and should be among the best survival horrors. Unfortunately, it is insufficient and it is really a shame.
VH: I agree that it's not at all comparable to the Resident Evil or The Last of Us titles. Most of the time, I really enjoyed Dying Light, so I don't think that's the case. as good as that As for Dead Island etc, it's sometimes hard to compare open world zombie titles, because it really depends on what you're looking for in this genre. Do you want the immersive reality of the apocalypse? A strong story? The thrill of a good jump scare? Or maybe just to hack your way through the undead? Days Gone offers something for those who love to hit Freakers and plunge into a post-apocalyptic world. Is this strong storytelling or something we're going to take for years? Probably not.
What's pretty clear is that given Sony's budget and resources, Days Gone should have been better and should rank among the best survival horrors.