Highlights
The Day Before has faced multiple delays and controversies, making it one of the most criticized games in the industry.
The tit's reputation has been negatively affected by both a recent trademark dispute and an underwhelming gameplay reveal, resulting in a decline in public opinion. The game's upcoming release on November 10 is a critical opportunity for it to overcome its previous reputation and address allegations of being inauthentic.
The Day Before may be approaching a pivotal moment in its development. Once eagerly anticipated, the game has now become one of the most scrutinized and criticized titles in the industry. There have even been claims disputing its existence, forcing the game's director to defend its reality.
Initially announced in 2021, The Day Before swiftly gained a high number of wishlistings on Steam. Promising a blend of open-world co-op action, zombie-horror themes, and elements of life simulation, it appeared to offer something for every gamer. However, as time went on, disillusionment set in for many, leading to speculation that the game could be trapped in development limbo, might never reach completion, or could simply serve as a means to secure private investments. The Day Before has faced numerous delays, with the current projected release date set for November 10, 2023.
Why The Day Before's Story Could Be Reaching Its Climax
Fntastic has continuously delayed its highly anticipated game for various reasons, with the most recent delay being attributed to a trademark dispute surrounding the title of the game, The Day Before. This caused the release date to be pushed from March 2023 to November 2023, and Fntastic also decided to delay the game's first gameplay reveal due to the trademark issue. Around the same time, the game was removed from Steam, with Fntastic stating that it was due to the trademark dispute.
The trademark dispute raised skepticism among followers of The Day Before's development due to its questionable nature. Despite the backlash and delay, Fntastic eventually revealed gameplay, which received a negative response from audiences. The gameplay appeared to be lacking in quality, resembling a basic asset flip, causing concerns that The Day Before was either an empty open world game or possibly even a non-existent project. This reveal contradicted the impressive and well-produced trailers that Fntastic had previously released, leading many to believe that the developer purposely misled their audience. Additionally, the gameplay appeared far from being a finished product, further undermining Fntastic's explanation for the March delay.
Currently, Fntastic has not announced any further delays for The Day Before, indicating that the release is less than a month away. This is a critical moment for the game due to the negative impact of events that occurred earlier this year, leading to diminished expectations and a damaged reputation. Although The Day Before has received some positive publicity since its last delay, public opinion towards the game is currently at an all-time low. If the release faces another delay as many suspect, it could be the final blow, causing even the most forgiving gamers to lose interest in the title. Conversely, if the game manages to honor its November 10 release date, it has the potential to transform its confusing narrative into an underdog success story.
The Day Before faces significant obstacles in terms of its legacy. In addition to the previously mentioned issues of delays and underwhelming gameplay reveals, there have been other controversies that Fntastic has dismissed as "disinformation" but have still negatively affected the game's reputation. Furthermore, the game is launching in a year teeming with potential Game of the Year contenders, making its positioning even more challenging. It appears unlikely that The Day Before will meet gamers' sky-high expectations from 2021, but if it does release next month, it will at least disprove the accusations of it being a fraudulent game.
The Day Before is set to release on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S on November 10.