Days Gone: Your Ultimate Guide to Surviving the Freaker Apocalypse
You’ve chosen to travel the ruined roads of Oregon in “Days Gone.” Smart choice or not? You might like being around countless zombie-like creatures called ‘Freakers.’ Whatever your reason, expect chaos. This game isn’t just another zombie stroll. “Days Gone” gives you a world that is as stunning as it is lethal.
One of the biggest draws are the Hordes. These hordes aren’t just mindless zombies; they can number in the hundreds, sometimes five hundred, and can make even a strong biker shaky. But don’t worry! This guide helps you battle the hordes, understand the plot, and survive. Think of it as your path to becoming a legend in the Pacific Northwest… or just making it through the night.
I. Decoding the Hordes: Your Ticket to Not Being Eaten Alive
Let’s discuss the Hordes. They are not random encounters; they are forces of nature in “Days Gone.” There are 40 hordes on the map. Each presents a unique challenge and an ample XP reward if you don’t become their meal. You’ll need to take on three of these hordes in the main storyline. You’ll have some encounters with the rest only after completing the storyline. Some of them stay hidden until you think you’ve seen it all. The game is saying, “Thanks for playing, now handle this.”
Understanding Horde Behavior: Know Thy Enemy
To beat a horde, know their routine. Hordes have a weird daily schedule. During daylight, they sleep in dark places like caves or buildings. Daytime is your safe time to locate them. You can plan your visit without fear.
When night arrives, they wake for dinner. Hordes feast on unsuspecting wildlife and grave sites. After eating, they head for a water source to drink. Hydration matters for them too. By morning, they return to their shelters to sleep before the sun rises. Their life has a structure for creatures that only eat flesh.
While they have routines, hordes aren’t fully predictable. If left alone, they wander through their territories. They might change their routes, too. So, observe carefully. Use binoculars to study their patterns before you disrupt them.
Horde Reset: Second Verse, Same as the First?
If you’re a completionist, you can reset infestation zones after hitting 100% in their storylines. Why would you want to do this? More Freakers to kill, more nests to burn. It’s about replaying the apocalypse! However, you cannot reset hordes directly. Once killed, a horde is finished. Enjoy your victories because there won’t be a rematch unless starting over.
Horde Difficulty and Size: From Tiny Throngs to Monstrous Mayhem
Hordes differ greatly. Some might feel easy, while others can feel impossible. The Old Sawmill horde, found in the main mission “I’ll Save Some For You,” is known as the largest and hardest horde. Imagine hundreds of them attacking you in what becomes a nightmare. If you beat this one, you hold bragging rights.
Meanwhile, smaller hordes may only have around 50 Swarmers. They pose a threat if you’re unprepared but can be dealt with using solid tactics. The large hordes might reach 500 Swarmers. These will truly test your skills and resources. Tread carefully against them.
Interestingly, three hordes appear in the main story but aren’t on your map at first. They surprise you when exploring. The game enhances your experience by saying, “Surprise! Horde time!”
Pinpointing a horde requires detective skills. In the Cascade region, hordes stay at daytime spots but move by night. Daytime spots are central, yet their night spots can vary significantly. Scouting, hearing their sounds, and checking points of interest help in locating these groups.
II. Strategies for Conquering Hordes: Turning the Tide from Terror to Triumph
Now it’s time to discuss how to truly defeat these feverish crowds. Horde combat in “Days Gone” relies on tactics, preparation, and strategic retreats.
Preparation is Key: Laying the Groundwork for Freaker Fireworks
Before engaging a horde, start with setting traps. It sets you up for a grand display against the Freakers. Look for perfect bottleneck areas. Narrow spaces like doorways or paths pinpoint areas where the horde may funnel into traps. Use proximity mines or tripwires. Also consider cars that explode when needed – anything to thin their numbers before they reach you.
Explosives: Your Best Friends in a Freaker Frenzy
Explosives dominate horde control. Molotov Cocktails and Pipe Bombs serve as essential tools. Craft these frequently and keep ample materials ready. Mid-fight crises are best avoided by ensuring you have enough explosives on hand. Visit camp merchants for Frag Grenades, ideal for fast clearing of groups of Freakers.
Patience, Young Padawan: Timing Your Horde Hunt
Ignore any urges to rush at hordes with basic weapons. Resist that impulse! Hold off until you possess serious gear and throwables. Tackling a horde early with poor items equals a disaster waiting to happen. Focus on leveling up and acquiring better weapons and enhancing your bike.
resources before starting fights with Freakers. Patience is vital in the apocalypse.
Attractors and Grenades: Freaker Group Therapy (Explosively Terminated)
Use attractors to gather the horde. Toss one into a tight area, and the Freakers will cluster together. Once clumped up, it’s grenade time! A well-placed grenade can obliterate many of them quickly. It saves ammo and offers explosive satisfaction. Think of it as therapy.
Cover and Chokepoints: Utilize the Environment
Utilize surroundings effectively. Anything can serve as cover and slow down the Horde’s front lines. Cars, walls, fences, and fallen trees create valuable time to reload or plan. Chokepoints funnel the horde for easier targeting with weapons. Use them wisely to your advantage.
III. Arming for Apocalypse: Weapons of Horde Destruction
Selecting the right tools is crucial when facing flesh-hungry monsters. Your pistol won’t suffice against a horde. You need real firepower.
Heavy Hitters: LMGs and Assault Rifles
Light Machine Guns (LMGs) help vanquish hordes effectively. The MG45 and RPD stand out. They possess large magazines and rapid fire. These weapons suppress numerous foes, ideal for a horde fight. Pair them with a solid assault rifle or SMG like the MWS or Chicago Chopper. They balance damage, accuracy, and firing rate. For stragglers, an automatic sidearm like the SMP9 proves invaluable.
The Chicago Chopper: Legend in Horde-Slaying
Let’s highlight the Chicago Chopper. It’s legendary in the “Days Gone” community for slaying hordes. This SMG offers high fire, decent damage, and large capacity. Accurate for medium range, it devastates up close. Mow down Freakers easily – it’s one of the best.
IV. Timing to Unleash Your Inner Horde Hunter
You can fight hordes whenever you feel courageous or reckless, but optimal timing exists. We suggest waiting until story’s end.
By that point, you’ll access significant equipment upgrades. Better weapons and wheels make a giant impact. Early fights with starter gear can be tedious. Additionally, you’ll know where hordes usually appear. Exploration is vital, and late game familiarity aids in locating these groups.
Also, numerous hordes appear after completing the main storyline. For the complete experience, patience is necessary. Finish the story first, gear up, then unleash your hunter side.
Hidden Hordes: Uninvited Guests
Remember those three hidden hordes? They show up during specific story missions to surprise you. They test your skills about horde combat. Consider them apocalypse pop quizzes. Fail and become lunch. Succeed and keep fighting.
V. Beyond Hordes: Gameplay in Days Gone
“Days Gone” features more than just hordes; it offers an expansive world. There are missions to complete and gameplay mechanics to master.
Free Roam: Explore Post-Apocalyptic Life
After completing the main story, the map allows free roam. No more mission blocks or forced objectives. Explore and revisit previous areas to finish any business left behind. This includes clearing infestations, hunting down remaining hordes, and gathering collectibles you missed. Free roam allows you to control your post-apocalyptic destiny.
Fast Travel: Get There Quickly
Traveling on your bike is entertaining, but you might want to bypass forests filled with Freakers sometimes. “Days Gone” has a fast travel function. Limitations apply though. You can fast travel only between encampments or unlocked safe houses and without nearby enemies. Clear enemies first, then travel safely.
Mission Skipping: When Tension is Too Much
Mission intensity may escalate. If you’re stuck or need a break from tension, “Days Gone” lets you quit current missions. It’s not an explicit ‘skip mission’ button; instead, pause the game, select “Exit Game,” confirm your choice, and reset to your last save point. It’s roundabout but helpful if necessary.
Stealth: Be Silent in a Zombie World
“Days Gone” often requires loud action, yet stealth remains a viable playstyle. You can approach it quietly, like Solid Snake from Metal Gear Solid, sneaking past foes and eliminating threats silently.
Skills: Enhancing Your Survival Game
Progressing through “Days Gone” earns you XP leading to valuable skills that enhance Deacon’s abilities. Unlock the Field Repairs skill first for on-the-fly melee weapon repairs with scrap. Since melee weapons break quickly when combating Freakers, being able to fix them is essential.
Nests: Burning Out Freaker Infestations
Freaker nests need destruction. Clearing them reduces infestations in an area.
Scattered around the map, you’ll find gruesome piles of Freaker stuff. These are Freaker spawning points. You must clear them out to reduce Freaker presence. To clear a nest, you need to set them on fire. Use Molotov cocktails early on. Craft Molotovs, find a nest, and throw fire until it’s ashes. Clearing nests makes areas safer and unlocks fast travel routes. This task is worthwhile.
VI. Story, Characters, and the End of the World (As We Know It)
“Days Gone” is more than just shooting Freakers. It has a deep and emotional story. This tale covers loss, survival, and hope in a ruined world. Let’s explore the narrative elements in the game.
Main Story Length: A Marathon of Mayhem and Motorcycle Rides
If you focus solely on the main objectives, “Days Gone” takes about 36 and a half hours. That’s a substantial time for the main story alone. For completionists, seeing everything in the game means a much longer playtime. Aiming for 100% completion includes exploring every area, clearing all hordes, and finishing all side content. This can push your playtime to around 65 hours. So, “Days Gone” offers plenty of value for dedicated gamers who leave no stone unturned.
Ending and Post-Game Content: It’s Not Over ‘Til It’s Over (and Maybe Not Even Then)
After the credits roll in “Days Gone,” there is more to experience. An optional mission called “There’s Nothing You Can Do” becomes available after the credits. This mission wraps up some plot details and adds closure to the story. Don’t leave yet—stick around for the post-credit scene. A big surprise awaits you. It’s worth your time. After credits, you can explore the open road and finish lingering side missions. Soon after, Deacon receives a familiar voice over the radio, requesting a meeting. This content adds depth to the storyline and hints at future developments in “Days Gone.”
For those curious about multiple endings, “Days Gone” doesn’t offer them in a traditional manner. As one player with the platinum trophy stated, “there aren’t multiple endings, rather a few epilogue missions to tidy things up after the main missions and set things up for future DLC or a sequel with cool cutscenes.” While choices don’t drastically change the endings, the post-game content gives Deacon’s journey a satisfying conclusion.
Final Boss: The Human Threat in a Freaker World
Although hordes are the main enemies in “Days Gone,” the final boss is human. Meet Raymond “Skizzo” Sarkozi. He is the secondary antagonist and a major obstacle for Deacon. Skizzo represents humanity’s dark side in the apocalypse. His threat is just as dangerous, if not more than, the Freakers. The final showdown with Skizzo is a fitting climax to the unfolding human drama amid the Freaker apocalypse.
No Sequel: A Lone Ride in the Apocalypse (For Now?)
Disappointed fans hoping for more “Days Gone”? The first game’s director states, “Days Gone” will never have a sequel. You heard it right. Despite its success, Deacon’s story seems to be a standalone adventure for now. Be hopeful, as things in gaming can change. But as for now, don’t expect “Days Gone 2.” Enjoy this journey because it may be the only one.
The Virus: The Science (or Lack Thereof) Behind the Freakers
What turned the world upside down in “Days Gone”? It’s a virus. The virus in “Days Gone” modifies people’s bodies, turning them into the Freakers we see. This virus makes them faster, stronger, and gives them an insatiable craving for food. Humans and animals alike become targets. If it moves, they want to eat it. The virus specifics are vague but clearly a nasty piece of work that created a Freaker-filled wasteland.
VII. Meet the Freakers: A Bestiary of Apocalyptic Annoyances
Let’s get personal with the main characters: the Freakers. They aren’t just ordinary zombies; “Days Gone” classifies them into various types. Knowing whether you face Swarmers or Breakers can mean life or death.
Freakers: The Umbrella Term for Undead Ugliness
Freakers is the general term for the undead enemies in “Days Gone”. It’s a polite term for these infected humans. Think of it as “zombies” with a twist from “Days Gone.” Freakers vary from Swarmers to hulking Breakers, each with unique strengths and weaknesses.
Swarmers: The Bread and Butter of Freaker Battles
Swarmers are standard, common Freakers. They make up the basic infantry of the Freaker army. They often wander freely, wearing various clothes and skin tones (the virus doesn’t discriminate). Swarmers comprise most of the Hordes. Individually, they pose little threat, but in numbers, they become serious problems. Fast and relentless, you’ll face Swarmers constantly throughout your “Days Gone” journey.
Breakers: The Hulking Brutes of the Freaker Family
Breakers (Scientific Name: Homo Sapiens Mutans Corporosus) are heavy hitters among Freakers. They are large, strong, and heavily mutated. Breakers can pierce military-grade armor and withstand significant damage. They serve as the tanks of the Freaker army. Slow but immensely powerful, they easily overwhelm you in melee combat. When facing a Breaker, use heavy weaponry (literally) and hit-and-run tactics. Do not attempt to tank a Breaker; you will lose. Respect them, fear them, and be prepared with enough firepower to deal with them. Your survival may depend on it.
VIII. Gearing Up for Glory: Weapons and Equipment Essentials
Equipping yourself in “Days Gone” means more than just looking good; it’s essential for survival. Selecting gear can determine if you clear a horde or become a meal.
Best Weapons: The Arsenal of Apocalypse Awesomeness
We’ve highlighted some great weapons for combat against hordes. Let’s recap and expand on the best weapons in “Days Gone”. For street battles against hordes, use the Chicago Chopper. Against large enemies like Breakers and Ragers, choose the .50 BFG. This sniper rifle delivers impactful shots that can defeat even tough Freakers with accuracy. For a reliable sidearm, consider the SMP9, which offers solid damage and fast fire rate for close range. For human threats, the Rock Chuck sniper allows stealthy eliminations from afar without drawing attention.
Secret Weapon: Unlocking the Nero Injector Edge
“Days Gone” has a secret weapon, which acts as a passive buff rather than a weapon you fire. Unlocking stat upgrades via Nero injectors is crucial for your survival. Achieve these upgrades by reaching 100% completion in the Finding Nero storyline. You will likely do this progress naturally while exploring Nero checkpoints.
It can be frustrating, but the boosts to health, stamina, or focus are worth the effort. Think of Nero injectors as your weapon to become a more resilient survivor.
Craftable Weapons: DIY Death Dealers
Crafting is core in “Days Gone.” It extends to weapons too. You’ll find guns and melee weapons in the world. Crafting allows you to create powerful tools of destruction. For the best craftable melee weapon, use the baseball bat axe. This weapon combines the reach of a bat with the chopping power of an axe. It’s effective against Freakers. It’s easy to craft early and stays a viable option throughout. Don’t underestimate a well-crafted melee weapon, especially when ammo is low.
Gear Up for Hordes: The Loadout of a Horde Hunter
When gearing up for hordes, your loadout should focus on firepower and crowd control. Grab an LMG (MG45 or RPD) to mow down large Freaker groups. Pair it with an assault rifle/SMG (MWS or Chicago Chopper) for versatile combat. Don’t forget the SMP9 automatic sidearm for stragglers who get too close. Carry Molotovs, pipe bombs, and grenades. Use proximity mines and tripwires to trap and weaken the horde before engagement. A stocked horde-hunting loadout helps turn terrifying swarms into manageable piles of Freaker goo.
SMP9: Early Access to Submachine Gun Supremacy
The SMP9 is a great SMG you want early. The SMP-9 unlocks naturally by progressing through the main story and raising Trust Level at Hot Springs and Lost Lake camps. You can unlock it earlier with extra effort. To get a higher-quality SMG, eliminate 10% of all hordes in “Days Gone.” This is tough, especially early, but worth it. An early SMP9 gives you a big edge in combat. It makes early horde encounters less panic-inducing.
IX. Settlements and Camps: Your Havens in a Hostile World
In the brutal “Days Gone,” settlements are your lifeline. They offer safety, trade, and human connection. Understanding them is key for survival.
Camps: Trade, Trust, and (Sometimes) Treachery
In “Days Gone,” there are five major camps around the map. Survivors live, trade, and rebuild civilization there. Each camp has a unique atmosphere and individual credits system. You earn credits by completing camp missions, selling items to merchants, and helping with survival. These credits buy weapons, ammo, bike upgrades, and supplies from camp merchants. Building trust is crucial as it opens access to better gear and missions. However, be warned—not all camps are friendly, and trust is earned in the apocalypse.
X. Choices and Consequences: The Little Decisions That Matter (Sometimes)
While
