Days Gone is an action-adventure survival horror game set in a post-apocalyptic open world, played from a third-person perspective. The player controls Deacon St. John (Sam Witwer), a former U.S. Army 10th Mountain DivisionAfghanistan War veteran outlaw-turned-drifter and bounty hunter who prefers life on the road to wilderness encampments.[3] The game takes place two years after a global pandemic occurred which killed almost all of humanity, and transformed millions of others into "Freakers", mindless nocturnal zombie-like creatures that are quickly evolving.[3] In the E3 2016 stage demo, two types of Freakers were revealed, Newts and Swarmers.[4] In the E3 2017 stage demo, infected animals such as bears and wolves were revealed to also comprise the Freakers, and human enemies are revealed to be featured in the game as well.
The player can complete objectives in multiple ways, such as by using stealth mechanics, and long and short ranged weapons. A dynamic weather system and day-night cycle make Freakers weak and slow by day but fast and aggressive by night. Deacon's main transportation vehicle is a motorcycle that can be modified with parts to enhance its speed, durability or maneuverability, among other parameters. The player can craft weapons that can be repaired after extended use. Player can pick up already crafted weapons from enemies. The player is able to craft new items to improve combat efficiency.[5]