7 Days to Die was released on July 29th 2024, for Playstation 5, Xbox Series S/X and PC. Although this is supposed to be the full release of 7 Days to Die for the latest consoles, it is still technically a beta version with some features still under development. However, this has not led to any game-breaking bugs or connection issues so far, allowing players to immerse themselves fully in the game’s rich and challenging world.
Graphics and Performance:
The graphical overhaul is the most striking improvement. The updated visuals are stunning, with more detailed environments, enhanced lighting, and improved textures that make the post-apocalyptic world feel more lifelike and menacing. On the performance front, the game runs smoothly once you’re in, with a solid frame rate that ensures a seamless experience, even during the most chaotic zombie hordes. However, it is worth noting that load times can be quite long when trying to get into a game. Despite this initial wait, the smooth performance during gameplay, even when under assault by a horde of zombies, makes up for the delayed start.
Gameplay and Mechanics:
The core gameplay remains as engaging as ever. The blend of survival mechanics, base-building, and intense combat keeps players on their toes. The new console release has refined many of the game’s systems, making crafting more intuitive and exploration more rewarding. The revamped UI is user-friendly, allowing for easier management of inventory and construction projects. Building and crafting are easy to get your head around and don’t lose their ease when using console controllers rather than a keyboard and mouse.
Base Building
One important mechanic of 7 Days to Die is base building. Whether you find a pre-built structure or want to build your own from scratch, you will need something to shelter from the elements and passing zombies. Like everything else in the game if you want to build something from scratch or add to an already built building, you will need to harvest materials and learn the skills that are needed. Having a base isn’t as straightforward as just having a building that you can hide in; you want something that you can defend against hordes of zombies, so you will be constantly adding to it and over time, you might build something so impressive that when a horde decimates it you feel a real sense of loss and have to reluctantly abandon it and move somewhere new.
Survival Mechanics:
7 Days to Die does well with its survival mechanics, requiring players to keep a close watch on their health, stamina, hunger, and thirst. Additionally, players must manage various health issues like sprained ankles, knees, or infections, adding depth and challenge to the survival experience. However, one notable omission is the need for sleep. Unlike other survival games, such as The Long Dark, where the need to sleep adds a layer of tension and realism, 7 Days to Die does not require characters to rest; the bed roll only serving as a respawn point upon death. This somewhat detracts from the immersive survival aspect of the game. I think adding this mechanic would only add to the overall immersion of the game, as you would really have to plan your day because you don’t want to be caught napping when the horde arrives at your door.
Horde Night:
Every 7 days (depending on how you customise your game, this could be more or less), a blood moon risesꟷthanks for heads up, Zeldaꟷwhich means that you will be attacked by a horde of zombies between the hours of 22:00 and 04:00. How successful you are against the horde is dependent on how skilled you are, what weapons you utilise and how well-fortified your base is. The crafting system allows the creation of walls, spikes, traps and various other items that will help you defend your base. The higher your level and your game stage will affect the number of zombies that attack as well as their difficulty. For example, you start off with normal zombies, but this will increase to enemies like the spider, spitter, big mama and spitting police officers, as well as undead dogs, birds, and wolves. This timed event can be a steep learning curve if you’re not well prepared; of course, if you are, then it’ll be a walk in the park.
Customisable Experience:
One of the standout features of 7 Days to Die is the extensive array of customization options available to tailor the gameplay experience. Players can tweak numerous settings to make the game easier or more challenging, depending on their preferences. Adjustments can be made to zombie spawn rates, the ferocity of enemy attacks, resource availability, and the frequency of airdrops. This flexibility ensures that both casual players and hardcore survivalists can find their ideal level of challenge. And if you find the settings you originally chose lacking or too difficult, all you need to do is come out of the game, change some settings and jump back in. This means, of course, that you don’t have to restart your game and lose your progress should you want to change anything.
Infection and Survival Challenges:
Surviving in the world of 7 Days to Die is no small feat, particularly when dealing with infections. Being bitten by a zombie can lead to infection, a condition that is both dangerous and hard to treat. Antibiotics, honey, and herbal remedies are rare and highly sought-after, making the quest for a cure a tense and urgent endeavour. This aspect of the game adds a layer of strategy and anxiety, as players must balance their efforts between scavenging for supplies and seeking out precious medicines. You can increase your skill until you have the ability to create your own medications, however, this has its own issues, which leads me nicely into…
Scavenging the World Around You :
The bulk of what is needed to survive you find by scavenging. There are more than enough buildings, cars and random containers to find what you need. And if you can’t then there’s always the possibility that the traders will have what you need…for a price at least. Along with scavenging, the game also has a good hunting mechanic (after you’ve put skills points into it) which allows you to scan the area and find the various animals easier than just wandering and hoping to come across them. Each kill, depending on its size, provides a different amount of items that range from fresh meat and leather to bones, all of which can be used in your ongoing battle for survival. With all this looting, you might also come across some seeds, which you can plant in your own garden for a reliable source of said plant. Most of which can be used in various recipes for your meals or medicines.
Skill Progression and Random Drops:
Advancing your character’s skills and getting better gear is a key challenge in “7 Days to Die.” To improve your skills, you need to find and read magazines and schematics scattered throughout the world. This randomness means that developing specific abilities or obtaining high-quality equipment relies heavily on luck. While this adds an exciting element of unpredictability and encourages thorough exploration, it can also be frustrating if you’re hunting for particular upgrades.
As you level up your character, you can invest points into various skill trees. However, many of these upgrades focus on enhancing survival or combat skills rather than improving crafting abilities. This means you might find yourself well-prepared to fight off zombies but still searching for the right items to advance your crafting skills.
Multiplayer and Co-op:
Multiplayer has received a substantial upgrade. Once all your party members are logged in, the game runs seamlessly, allowing for a smooth and enjoyable co-op experience. The improved network stability and added features enhance the overall multiplayer experience. Players can adjust multiple settings, such as enabling or disabling friendly fire and sharing experience points among party members. These options provide further customization, ensuring that multiplayer sessions can be tailored to suit different playstyles and preferences, adding significant replayability to the game.
Content and Updates:
The new console version includes all the latest updates and content from the PC version, ensuring that console players have access to the same wealth of features, from new weapons and items to additional enemy types and environmental challenges. The proposed frequent updates promise to keep the game fresh and exciting.
Atmosphere and Immersion:
The game excels in creating a tense and immersive atmosphere. The eerie sounds, dynamic weather, and day-night cycle contribute to a constant feeling of dread and urgency. The thrill of scavenging for supplies while keeping an eye out for lurking zombies is as gripping as ever. However, at times the world still seems quite sparse and free of zombies, as you can walk for quite some time away from your base and perhaps see one or two zombies. Then at other times, you are beset by a random group, creating an inconsistent experience. The only consistent zombie encounters occur during the horde night, which scales up with each successive Blood Moon survived, as mentioned above.
Minor Drawbacks:
While 7 Days to Die shines in many areas, it’s not without minor flaws. Apart from the previously mentioned long load times, the bulk of issues are graphical, from items not spawning in a timely manner to glitched weapons not displaying correctly when being held. These are minor inconveniences rather than game-breaking problems and do not significantly detract from the overall experience. Additionally, the learning curve can be steep for new players, but the updated tutorials help mitigate this issue.
Final Thoughts:
7 Days to Die on the new consoles is a remarkable achievement that breathes new life into an already beloved game. With its improved graphics, refined gameplay, and enhanced multiplayer experience, it sets a new standard for survival horror on consoles. The ability to customise the difficulty and the challenges of infection and skill progression adds depth and replayability to the game. Despite a few minor hiccups, it delivers an intense and rewarding experience that is hard to put down. For fans of the genre, this is a must-play title. For me this will be a game I will play and play, probably until I’m sick of the sight of it; but I don’t see that happening any time in the near future.
Overall, 7 Days to Die earns a well-deserved 9/10. It’s a testament to the developers’ commitment to enhancing the game over the years to provide players with a deeply engaging survival experience.
Gareth Ellis - Author 