“The Day Before Launch Falls Short of Expectations”

The long-anticipated release of “The Day Before,” the open-world MMO zombie game, has left players disappointed, as it deviates from the promises made during its initial reveal. Despite topping Steam’s wishlist charts, the game’s early access version has garnered negative reviews, primarily citing bugs, crashes, poor performance, and multiplayer server issues.

Players express frustration over the game’s size, with one Steam review likening its “open world” to a New York apartment. Contrary to early marketing portraying it as a massively multiplayer experience, players and streamers suggest that it feels more like an extraction shooter akin to Tom Clancy’s The Division, lacking the expected balance and depth.

Critics also highlight the absence of melee weapons in a world where resources are scarce, and there is no ability to vault over small objects or climb ladders. The initial promise of explorable buildings falls short, with players finding only a limited number accessible. YouTube streamer Force, covering the game extensively for a year, describes it as “kinda boring right now” during a livestream.

Developer Fntastic acknowledges server issues on launch, citing overload on North American servers. Despite these challenges, the game peaked at over 38,000 players on its first day, according to Steam’s statistics.

“The Day Before” faced delays, a trademark dispute over its name leading to a brief delisting from Steam, and scrutiny over its “volunteer” workplace culture, where some developers worked without pay. As the game enters the market, it appears to be a continual work in progress. Polygon has reached out to Fntastic for comment on the community’s response, awaiting the studio’s perspective.