Released in early access on December 7, The Day Before by Fntastic has received harsh criticism and an “Overwhelmingly Negative” rating on Steam, with only 13% of players recommending the game. The backlash is primarily attributed to the game’s failure to deliver promised features, including an open-world MMO experience and survival mechanics.
The Day Before, introduced by Fntastic in 2021, raised concerns from the gaming community due to accusations of plagiarism and several delays. The lack of transparency from the developers and a scaled-back 2023 gameplay trailer added to growing apprehension among fans.
Contrary to its promotional material, The Day Before falls short of offering an open-world MMO experience, resulting in player dissatisfaction and accusations of deceptive marketing. Of the 6,540 user reviews, a mere 13% recommend the game, with complaints centered around missing features and allegations of it being a scam. Players reported encountering bugs, crashes, and difficulties finding open servers, further tarnishing the game’s debut.
The controversy stems from the stark disparity between the promised open-world survival MMO and the actual gameplay, which resembles an extraction shooter lacking survival mechanics. The failure to communicate these changes to the player base has fueled suspicions and intensified the negative response.
While some issues might be attributed to the early access release, the absence of explicitly promised features raises questions about the development process. Even the included features faced criticism, with claims that levels lack exploration potential, zombie enemies lack variety, and the PvP content is underwhelming. The overall consensus points to a disappointing experience for players who had eagerly anticipated The Day Before.
As the game struggles to meet player expectations, Fntastic faces the challenge of addressing the grievances and rebuilding trust within the gaming community. The “Overwhelmingly Negative” rating on Steam serves as a stark reminder of the risks associated with unmet promises in the gaming industry.