“The Day Before,” once the most wishlisted game on Steam, promised a post-apocalyptic open-world MMO survival experience. Developed by Fntastic and published by Mytona, it launched with high expectations. However, reality quickly diverged from these aspirations.
A Disappointing Descent
Upon its release, the game peaked impressively with 38,104 concurrent players. This initial success, however, was short-lived. Within just four days, player count plummeted by 89% to a mere 4,125 concurrent users. What caused such a drastic drop?
Overwhelmingly Negative Reception
The answer lies in the game’s reception: an “Overwhelmingly Negative” rating on Steam. With only about 13-15% of players recommending it, the game became one of the 10 worst-rated games on the platform. This rating, calculated by SteamDB, places “The Day Before” behind other poorly received titles like NBA 2K24 and Overwatch 2.
Core Issues Identified
Players cited multiple reasons for their dissatisfaction:
- Misleading Genre: Contrary to its MMO marketing, the game was seen more as a Tarkov-style extraction shooter【17†source】.
- Bugs and Performance Issues: Numerous technical problems marred the experience【17†source】.
- Deleted Promotional Content: Fntastic reportedly deleted many old videos from their YouTube channel, which showed features not present in the final game.
Accusations of a Scam
The discontent went beyond typical game criticisms. Players accused the developers of scamming, pointing to discrepancies between the advertised game and the delivered product. The term “The Scam Before” emerged, encapsulating the sense of betrayal felt by the community.
Conclusion: A Cautionary Tale
“The Day Before” serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of delivering on promises in the gaming industry. For future developers, it’s a stark reminder that hype and wishlists don’t guarantee success. The real test begins when players enter the virtual world. For players, it’s a lesson in tempering expectations and the unpredictability of game development.
The Way Forward
What can “The Day Before” do to salvage its reputation? Transparency, acknowledging shortcomings, and a clear plan for improvements are key. But the road to redemption in the gaming community is steep and challenging.
A Call to Action for Gamers
For gamers, it’s crucial to approach new releases with a balanced perspective. While it’s exciting to get swept up in the hype, remember to wait for reviews and actual gameplay footage. Your voice and choices shape the industry.
“The Day Before’s” saga reminds us that in the gaming world, the line between anticipation and disappointment can be perilously thin.
