The description of The Day Before says the game is an open-world MMO, and many thought the gameplay would be similar to DayZ. The early access section of the game’s Steam Store page also brings to mind the persistent, open-world survival you find in DayZ. So, now that the game is out, is it really open-world or something different?
Is The Day Before open-world like DayZ?
Unfortunately, despite the official descriptions stating it’s an open-world MMO, The Day Before is actually an extraction shooter. As such, it’s more similar to Escape From Tarkov than DayZ.
However, the official store description made it seem as though the game would be an open-world survival game:
“The Day Before offers players a uniquely reimagined journey into post-apocalyptic open-world MMO survival set in the present day on the US East Coast following a deadly pandemic.”
The Day Before Steam Store description
This is reinforced in the text describing the game’s early access period:
“The game is playable in multiplayer, allowing players to fully immerse themselves in a post-apocalyptic open-world MMO survival set in the present day on the US East Coast following a deadly pandemic.
Players can explore the beautifully detailed New Fortune City and its surroundings, fight each other using realistic weapons, complete quests, build their own houses, buy cars, experience day/night changes, and face deadly infected.
We have implemented everything we wanted for the game, based on our vision of a post-pandemic survival experience.”
The Day Before Steam Early Access FAQ
Unfortunately, I haven’t had a chance to experience the game firsthand because of persistent crashes. Early reports, though, indicate the game doesn’t give you the amount of freedom you see in DayZ. Instead, it’s primarily focused on looting rival players and escaping the area to claim it.
So, if you were hoping The Day Before would be a good alternative for DayZ, that’s unfortunately not the case. Perhaps the gameplay will be expanded in future updates, but for now, it’s relatively limited.
