AsmodeusAzarak

Days gone deserves a user review because so many of the critic reviews are overly harsh. This game is a little rough in the sense of needing polish, but the post release patches are rapidly taking that edge off. What is left is a solid good time exploring an open world on motorcycle, fighting zombies (freakers) and raiders. The story and acting are good, not the best out there, but certainly enjoyable. Combat is a little bit rough but more than serviceable. Where the game excels is in creating a constant tension with scavenging, and with the vital link to your motorcycle which is critical to your survival, but requires care and maintenance just like your character and inventory. I think reviewers in a hurry to get through the game and get their reviews out may have missed the point of the tension creating systems like constantly needing to scavenge and fuel your bike. Perhaps the reviewers ended up resenting what is in some ways the point of the game, creating an atmosphere of tension. I often don't play this game for hours and hours like I do some other titles because honestly the tension gets exhausting, but as far as making me invested emotionally it works well.

I feel like some of the more critical reviews are treating this game like it is a $60 game when it retails brand new for $15 (I got it on steam for $10). You have to adjust your expectations accordingly. That said I definitely felt like I got my money's worth. There was enough variety in zombies and day and night that I felt like I was often on my toes, particularly at night time. Scavenging goods and figuring out how to make things out of them is a lot of fun. You will ruin this game for yourself if you go online and look up the recepies, figuring them out on your own or finding them around the island is a lot of fun. The story could be a little better, and longer, the characters could be a little better, but if the idea of scavenging compressors and tires and wooden sticks to build weapons and armor to fend off zombie hordes appeals to you, you will have fun with this.

An incredible game ruined by a very poor ending. If you don't care about the story you may have a great time, but if story is important to you, and you have been following the series you will be disappointed.

If you are a fan of 3.5 D&D you will enjoy this game, and it is probably more like a 9/10, if you are not, you will probably not get much enjoyment. The menu system is pretty clunky and could have used some work, and there are a few minor flaws in the rules adaptations, but generally this is a great adaptation of the 3.5 rules (something we aren't likely to see more of now that 4th edition is out). It really is a lot of fun to play, from the tactically minded perspective. It is driven by exploration, fighting, and improving characters, not really by story.

Truly a sleeper hit I could easily have missed, if you enjoy tactical fantasy games this is a must play. The theme might seem off-putting but it is actually well handled from a fantasy perspective. From a historical perspective there are someserious liberties taken, but there is just enough true history to make this fairytale a great story and a lot of fun. Graphics and sound are quite impressive to boot.