Hey, gamers, have you ever wanted to see what survival is like in a zombie-infested post-apocalyptic world? Let’s check out 7 Days to Die, a game that promises all the fun of survival and crafting but often feels like you’re fighting the game as much as you are the undead.
Glitches
First off, let’s talk about the world of 7 Days to Die. Picture this: pigs tumbling up cliffs, rabbits bouncing inside trees, corpses that squirm on the pavement before burrowing underground. Yes, this game has its fair share of bugs and glitches that will either have you giggling or pulling your hair in frustration. It’s like these guys forgot to leave the laws of physics at the door.
This is the classic setting to pull off an apocalypse: everything goes wrong, and you must make it through. In all fairness, at times, with all these bugs, it does feel like the devs took the “apocalypse” part too seriously.
Gameplay
Gameplay, then? If you are used to Minecraft, it is business as usual. Of course, the objective is to gather resources and craft items. You will punch some rocks and trees to get items to craft your tools, weapons, and even toilets; it is a strange mix, but it never works. Kind of.
What’s remarkable about the game is that each week, your world is bombarded by a zombie horde, crashing down on your base, leaving you to defend it and yourself. Congratulations! If you make it, you will get to start the cycle again next week. It is a grind and can be intense, especially if you must prepare well.
Graphics and Performance
Let’s talk about the graphics for a second. If you expect stunning visuals, brace yourself for disappointment. 7 Days to Die on consoles looks ancient—the fringes of the world are all foggy distances, and the map designs somewhat rough, as though these were assets forgotten in a couple of development passes. The framerate itself is a different beast altogether, never settling in one place like a real zombie. Sometimes, the action would freeze when doing the simplest tasks, and multiplayer maps would power down without warning. Fun, right?
It feels like a PC game stuck in Early Access rather than a polished console release. Even though the PC version has enjoyed years of patches and updates, the console version seems to need to catch up, literally and figuratively.
Console Controls
You may struggle with frustration if you are playing on a console. The clunky could be more apparent. It feels like a bad fit better in the game. You have to use thumbsticks to navigate menus like a mouse pointer, which is about as fun as it sounds. Managing your inventory and crafting can be a chore, sometimes more complex than fighting off the zombies.
The Combat
Combat in 7 Days to Die is a bit of a mixed bag. You’re going to spend your starting off days punching rocks and zombies with equal measures, and neither of them feels that satisfying. Once you progress a little and get to the stage of getting bows, arrows, and guns, there is some improvement. Even then, one might find oneself hitting zombies with arrows who stand there, and you do not know if they’re dead or glitching out. Honestly, it’s a complete mess.
Creativity and Co-op
There is nothing bad about 7 Days to Die. The crafting system is rich in encouraging experiments, and almost everything in the world can be broken down and used to make something new. It’s a nice concept that adds depth to the survival element in the game.
There’s even a Creative mode that lets you build without worrying about zombies, which is excellent for figuring out the game’s basics or having fun with friends. Speaking of friends, playing “7 Days to Die” with a buddy or two can improve this experience. There’s even a split-screen local co-op mode for old-school couch gaming vibes.
The Verdict
So, is 7 Days to Die worth your time? Well, it depends. There lies the smell of a good game among the glitches, the poor graphics, and the clunky controls. If you overlook features like crafting and survival games, much fun might be had, even among friends. But if you are after a polished, seamless experience, you should stay away from this apocalyptic mess.
7 Days to Die is a game with some exciting ideas and a twist on the survival genre, but taken aback, it still feels like it is in Early Access—even on consoles. If you are up for the challenge and a little jank, go for it. Just prepare for a wild, glitchy ride.
That’s it for our review of 7 Days to Die! What are your thoughts? Have you played? For more reads on the hot upcoming titles of the season, click here.