Edit: I’ve received several comments that make it clear that the context of this article is not apparent. This article is regarding the physical accessibility of Days Gone for players with disabilities, written by a disabled gamer. This is not a review of the quality of the game.
This is not a Days Gone review, because, frankly I couldn’t get past the opening tutorial. In addition to the game starting you off on a non-optional driving mission that features typically finicky controls, the developers at SIE Bend Studio made the puzzling decision to make brushing the PS4’s touch pad bring up the pause menu. This makes the more frantic sections of gameplay completely inaccessible, since my hands are very imprecise and I end up repeatedly brushing the touch pad. Additionally, the game features a complex radial menu system for crafting and switching between weapons that requires the use of multiple fingers on each hand to be used proficiently.
I knew Days Gone would be a zombie survival horror game with a heavy emphasis on driving, but it really is a shame that they don’t have something to make these segments easier.
The game also features rapid button press QTE’s, that can’t be switched to a hold.
To make matters worse, there is no controller customization. There is very little flexibility of any kind beyond the presence or absence of subtitles, which even when they are present are too small to be easily legible, and minimal difficulty adjustment. In a lot of ways, Days Gone is a throw back to earlier game accessibility efforts, but not in a good way. From what I can tell, and keep in mind that I literally had to have someone else play the game for me, it seems like the developer did less than the bare minimum when it comes to reasonable accessibility. This is not meant as a personal attack against SIE Bend, it’s just so disappointing when a game you’ve been looking forward to is completely inaccessible especially given that many first party Sony titles have a great track record for accessibility.
I’m sorry that I can’t say more, but the bottom line is that Days Gone may be the least accessible game that I’ve tried to review since starting DAGERS.
Doesn’t surprise me, Sony don’t care, all they want is the most exclusives to keep their diehard fans happy to be able to say we have the most exclusives, but what is the point when it turns out like this, proves there should be more quality control in gaming to pick up on things like this, really surprising it has sold so well if this is the case?
Have you even played it? Bet you can’t name 3 characters without Googleing it…. Just shhhh…
The game is great!… People are giving this a hard time review wise, and it is far from fair. As for disabled people playing the game… I think it’s a little unfair to have a go because it uses the touch pad… I think more games should use this…and it is refreshing that they do!!!
The touch pad is great for people who don’t have fine motor limitations, but it would’ve been better (for disabled players) to give the option to disable it so that those of us with fine motor impairments don’t risk opening the menus at inopportune times.
The entire game is glitchy. Not to down play any of this PSA. I agree whole heartedly they didn’t consider anyone with physical challenges or disabilities… I think they didn’t consider the average player. NPC glitches that require you to follow them while they move slower than a walk, across half the map. Sometimes my character just flies away for a few minutes during battle.
They put so much effort into an NPC playing music at camp, but clearly were in a hurry to publish.
I wasted my money on this product and hope others don’t.
I’ve given it too much time already. I expected more from Sony. Spiderman was pretty decent. IMHO
I have no issues with using my hands,and I’ve brought up the menu so many times by accident it’s ridiculous. I almost thought it was a glitch,until I noticed I was touching it super lightly while using the right stick. For games that require precise movements for the pad to work,it never does,and here you could blow on it and bring the menu up lol.
Nice review on the days gone’s accessibility settings or lack there of.
Besides the bike controls being a little over sensitive the game is brilliant at least up to the stage I amight at. I agree with the statements regarding impairments but that is something all consoles need to address.