Why I Hate 7 Days to Die: A walkthrough of my first week of playing

Let me just start off by saying I... don't like horror games, at all. They are not my cup of tea. But this game drew me in with its promise of a fun survival game. The graphics are amazing, it's ambient sounds are pleasant to listen to, and it's renditions of nature are breathtaking. The zombies, totally terrifying. I've played a fair portion of survival games, Minecraft, The Forest, and Don't Starve. As far as zombie survival games, this has to be my favorite.

If you don't know anything about 7 days to die, I'll explain. You start out in the middle of nowhere, sometimes with gear, sometimes totally naked with nothing but your skin. From there, you punch trees to get wood, pick up pebbles, and make basic tools. After completing these steps, you make a bed roll, and look for the trader. Admittedly, all of these steps took me far longer than your average joe, because I was too afraid to move.

Wandering around, it's best to search for a pre-made base to fortify. The first base had two zombies and I died. Spawned elsewhere in the woods by a lovely cabin far from civilization. Bam! Home sweet home. Climbed to the second floor, cleared it out, and base complete. But not really cause night is almost here! And night meaning 4 o'clock cause I'm a bloody coward. Cue hiding in my little room listening to zombie noises and physically shaking. I don't play horror games.

Next day when the sun is nice and high, time to gather resources. But wait! You're starving and dying of thirst. Off I walked, I mean ran, to find food and water. All the while searching around frantically for zombies. Found water, immediately ran home to boil the water and that was the end of that day. Found a couple eggs in bird nests on the ground, but I cannot cook them because I don't have the necessary tools! Raw eggs it is. Finally realizing to beat this game I must be brave.

Next day, geared up with plenty of weapons, I wander down the road. Found a lovely little campsite that seemed empty of zombies. Cue me smashing stuff and making plenty of noise, out pop the freaking zombies and I almost huck my laptop across the room. Successfully killed the zombies, heart beating fast, and loot the place. Looking across the way, I see a boat house, feeling especially brave I meander over. Appears to be a trader, with an OPEN sign. Can't get in, but get attacked by a zombie instead. I give up, get some water, and head home.

Realizing it's day five and I have done very little fortifying. Time to deforest near my house, dig holes, and search far for rocks. After spending the day gathering, I spend the night fortifying. Next day, more fortifying and destroying the stairs leading to my hiding spot. Creating a choke point for the zombies. And now day 7, I had to stop multiple times to play some Harvest Moon to cleanse my horror palate and calm down. Spent the day doing more fortifying and I died. Backed into a spike and bled to death. At least my infection is gone!

Get my stuff and head into my fortress of solitude. Block off the door and prepare an escape route, and I wait. Blood moon is upon me. I wait, and wait some more. I hear them, but I do not see them. I check my choke point, no zombies. I am confused. I keep checking that door. Then I realize. They are at my escape exit. Cue me frantically fortifying it and opening the door to 5 zombies waiting in line for death. Some brief stabby stabbing later, no more zombies. I was flabbergasted, 5 zombies? On a blood moon I expected dozens!

Finally, Blood Moon is over. No more scary music, no more zombies banging on my door. But, I cannot leave, why? I fortified my way in to the point that I cannot get out. I laughed and cried a little, and made my escape route my way in and out. Checked out my stats, and I'm starving again. Out into the world, a little braver, and a little wiser.

I highly recommend this game to everyone of the appropriate age, this is definitely a game for older players. Blood, guts, and death are prevalent in this game, and it can be quite violent at times. Despite my hatred for scary games, this has grown to be one of my favorites. Have a good day all, and be sure to use your hand sanitizer.