Sony fans are well aware of its recent efforts to stock the PlayStation with strong games made exclusively for that console. God of War's return to form is one great example of that initiative, as is the completely new IP Horizon Zero Dawn. These games were a real boon to the PS4, and they're well set up for futures on the PS5. One more game that came out of Sony's PlayStation plans was Days Gone, an action-adventure title about surviving the zombie apocalypse. The game made waves in 2019 by exploring that familiar premise with compelling combat and a well-developed setting in a near-future USA.
Days Gone is on some fans' minds again in May because it's on the cusp of a release for PC. Sony's next big plan for its original games is to port them to Windows platforms, and now it's Days Gone's turn. However, the specific window of May 2021 is a little awkward. It just so happens that this month is stuffed to the brim with major video game releases. Even though Days Gone was a good seller and retains a passionate fanbase, it might be hard for a port to get a lot of attention this May due to everything else that's coming out right now. Anyone who hasn't had the chance to play Days Gone due to its PS4 exclusivity shouldn't let this rerelease slip their minds.
The Merits of Days Gone
For those who don't know Days Gone, plenty of its elements will feel familiar. It takes place in a future where a plague has corrupted the vast majority of humanity into mindless monsters called Freakers. The few who survive, including Days Gone protagonist Deacon St. John, are left to survive in the ruins of civilization. While Days Gone admittedly doesn't sound overly original in a time where the zombie genre is full of major players. However, this particular title from Sony subsidiary Bend Studio more than makes up for that with satisfying combat and open-world exploration.
Days Gone is also one of those interesting games where the opinions of critics and fans diverge. While some critics weren't impressed by Bend Studio's work, fans were much more positive about Days Gone, and remain supportive of the game. That means it's not too late to get into it, even though the game is about two years old now. In fact, the fanbase is so high energy that there's petitions for a Days Gone 2, and they're gathering quite a few signatures. Seeing how much demand there is for Days Gone 2, Sony and Bend Studio might actually decide to give a sequel a try.
Days Gone's Arrival on PC
The port to PC ought to be a big help for Days Gone reaching an even bigger audience as a previous PS4 exclusive. The port might partially be Sony's way of testing the waters in an additional market. The success of the game on PC might go a long way in determining whether or not there actually is a Days Gone 2. The big obstacle in the way of the port is everything else that's coming out around the same time. Resident Evil: Village and Mass Effect: Legendary Edition are already dominating May's video game conversations, to the surprise of nobody, and things like Biomutant and Shin Megami Tensei 3: Nocturne HD Remaster might compete with Days Gone for attention too.
Anyone with an eye on Days Gone shouldn't get too distracted by all the other attractive titles coming out right now. It has a lot to offer, including intense combat, customization of Deacon's signature motorcycle, and a post-apocalyptic world worth venturing out into. Part of what makes the zombie genre so successful is how many kinds of narratives come out of it, from The Last of Us to Left 4 Dead. Days Gone is a part of that same category, offering another good take on this apocalypse trope. For anyone who loves zombie media, Days Gone on PC is worth a try.
Days Gone is available now on PS4. It releases for PC on May 18.