The Day Before proves that not every wishlist-topping game on Steam is going to be good. Although the game is more of an exception to the rule, it’s still worth taking note of what’s happening, because, after spending some time being an internet darling, it’s now plummeting face-first into controversial waters following its early access release.
Despite its initial hype, The Day Before is currently besieged by a wave of literally “Overwhelmingly Negative” reviews on Steam, casting a shadow over its future.
The multitude of issues plaguing The Day Before ranges from a series of technical glitches to a stark departure from its promised features. Players have reported severe bugs, such as falling through the in-game world as soon as they take control of their character and encountering impassable barriers due to glitches. These bugs not only hinder gameplay but also create a sense of frustration and disappointment among players who had high expectations for the game.
Compounding the technical issues, players have also struggled with server instability. Many have found it impossible to connect to the game, with servers quickly filling up and leaving players locked out. This has led to a significant portion of the game’s community being unable to access and play the game they had been eagerly awaiting.
The game’s visuals have come under scrutiny, with criticisms about the graphics appearing quite outdated, reminiscent of games from a decade ago. This has further dampened the enthusiasm of players expecting a modern, visually stunning experience.
Moreover, the game’s core gameplay has been a source of controversy. Contrary to its marketing as an open-world title, the actual gameplay of The Day Before makes it more of an extraction-style shooter, similar to Escape from Tarkov. This fundamental change has left many players feeling deceived, as the game they received is different from advertised.
The Day Before’s release coincides with The Game Awards 2023, which adds an ironic twist to the unfolding drama. The event highlights the best in the industry, but The Day Before is joining one of this year’s most problematic releases, positioning itself firmly beside the likes of The Lord of the Rings: Gollum.
The situation has drawn comparisons to other infamous game launches like No Man’s Sky and Cyberpunk 2077, where high expectations clashed with reality, leading to widespread criticism and calls for refunds.
The only difference? Those games actually had a chance of changing everyone’s minds. The Day Before doesn’t, unless, of course, a miracle happens. It’s a different experience than what was initially promised. It’s like asking an apple to be an orange – it’s not happening.
FNTASTIC, the developer behind The Day Before, has stayed notably silent amidst the chaos. The lack of communication and response to the burgeoning issues has only added to the frustration of players. This silence is especially glaring given the volume of complaints and refund requests flooding the game’s official Discord server and other social media platforms.
As players continue to voice their grievances and share their unfortunate experiences, The Day Before finds itself at a critical time. The game’s future now hinges on the developer’s ability to address these issues and rebuild trust with its player base.
Whether The Day Before can recover from this rocky start and fulfill its initial promise is unclear, but the current sentiment among players is one of overwhelming disappointment.
