I've waited too late to do a proper update this week, but I ended up getting Days Gone this week thanks to a nice discount. I went in not really knowing a lot and not really expecting a lot...all I knew really were the broad strokes (open world, fast zombies, motorcycles) and that it had apparently been getting mixed reviews.
Tho I have no idea why.
The game is fantastic so far. It is a zombie game, but it definitely has its own vibe. A Last of Us knock-off this ain't. Lots of things contribute to that - the fact that the zombies are very fast and aggressive, yes, but also that other humans are often just as big of a threat. It really nails the "society has fallen apart and it's every man for himself" vibe. Not that there aren't other "friendly" NPCs, but they all feel like they have their best interests at heart first & foremost. The motorcycle riding is a huge part of the game and is a lot of fun - the bike just feels right, and there's a distinct difference when it starts raining heavily and the mostly-dirt trails turn to mud. There is some maintenance to be done on the bike from time to time, as well as fuel management - but none of that is done to the extent where it feels punishing or like a chore. It's just enough to add a nice touch to the game, to give you the reminder in the back of your mind that you need to be mindful of where you're going & how you're getting there. There is fast travel that you unlock, but I haven't had the desire to use it at all so far - it's just way too much fun to ride, and you usually end up coming across something interesting on the way to your destination.
Other things flesh out the experience such as a nice 3-tier skill tree that lets you focus on how you want to play, the ability to upgrade your bike, missions to complete that not only grant xp & money but also earn you "trust" with the local survivor encampment. When you kill zombies you also collect "ears" from them that you can turn in at camp which also grant you trust. And you can collect various plants & herbs that you can sell to them as well.
The game looks good, tho if you compare it to the other recent Sony first-party blockbusters (God of War, Spidy, Horizon) it definitely isn't in the same league. This is mainly seen during close-ups of talking characters. Not that this matters in the least IMO, just something I noticed. I do really dig the Pacific Northwest vibe - the environment is heavily forested and just has a great wilderness feel to it.
I've talked to others who have played as much or more than I have, and they're all loving it as well. I haven't actually watched or read any reviews, but I honestly can't imagine what the complaints are other than the people who are inevitably whining that "it's not like The Last of Us." Which are probably the same people who have been calling it a TLoU rip-off.
![Razz :P](./images/smilies/icon_razz.gif)
At any rate, I definitely recommend it. It's another stellar first-party title that makes me question why any sane person would ponder the XBone over the PS4.
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"When I was ten, I read fairy tales in secret and would have been ashamed
if I had been found doing so. Now that I am fifty I read them openly. When I
became a man I put away childish things, including the fear of childishness and the
desire to be very grown up.” ― C.S. Lewis
![Image](https://card.exophase.com/2/0/112337.png?1631559155)