Days Gone is an open-world action-adventure game developed by SIE Bend Studio and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment. It was released in 2019 to mixed reviews, with some critics praising its story and gameplay mechanics, while others criticized its repetitive missions and technical issues. Personally, I played the game when it first came out, but I didn’t enjoy it as much as I expected it to. However, I recently decided to give it another chance, and to my surprise, I fell in love with it all over again. In this article, I’ll share my personal journey of rediscovering Days Gone and explain why I loved it this time around.
My First Impression
When I first played Days Gone in 2019, I was excited to jump into the post-apocalyptic world of the game. The premise of the game is simple: a virus has turned most of the population into zombie-like creatures called Freakers, and the remaining humans are struggling to survive in a harsh, unforgiving world. You play as Deacon St. John, a former biker gang member turned bounty hunter who is trying to find his missing wife amidst the chaos. The story sounded promising, and I was eager to explore the game’s vast open world.
However, my enthusiasm quickly faded as I encountered the game’s technical issues. The frame rate would drop significantly during intense combat sequences, and the game would freeze or crash occasionally. The graphics were also disappointing, with textures popping in and out and low-resolution character models. These issues made it difficult for me to fully immerse myself in the game, and I found myself getting frustrated and bored with the game’s repetitive missions.
Giving it Another Chance
Fast forward to 2022, and I decided to give Days Gone another chance. I had heard that the game had received several updates and patches, and I was curious to see if the game had improved. I also wanted to approach the game with a fresh mindset, without the expectations and biases that I had the first time around. The first thing that struck me when I started playing the game again was how much it had improved technically. The frame rate was smoother, and I didn’t experience any freezes or crashes during my playthrough. The graphics also received a significant upgrade, with more detailed textures and improved character models. These improvements immediately made the game more enjoyable to play, and I felt more immersed in the world of Days Gone.
Another thing that I appreciated more this time around was the game’s story and characters. At first, I thought the story was cliché and predictable, but as I progressed through the game, I found myself invested in the characters and their struggles. Deacon’s journey to find his wife and the relationships he forms along the way are well-written and emotional. The game also tackles themes such as loss, grief, and the value of human connections, which resonated with me on a personal level.
The gameplay mechanics were also more enjoyable this time around. The game’s open-world design allows for exploration and discovery, and the game world is filled with interesting locations and hidden secrets. The combat mechanics have also received some tweaks and improvements, making it more satisfying to take down Freakers and human enemies alike. The game’s motorcycle mechanic, which allows you to customize and upgrade your bike, adds another layer of depth and immersion to the game.
Overall, my experience of rediscovering Days Gone was a positive one, and I found myself falling in love with the game again. The technical improvements made the game more enjoyable to play, and the story and characters resonated with me more this time around.
