One of the things that sets Days Gone apart from other open-world games is Deacon’s motorcycle. It’s his primary way of getting around the world quickly, and it’s important. It also needs to be maintained. Run out of gas, and you’ll have to find fuel. If it’s broken, you’ll need to use scrap to make repairs. In either scenario, you’ll have to return to where it was abandoned; unlike horses, motorcycles don’t come when called.
I didn’t know what to expect from this element, at least in the long run, and having several hours cleared up how the bike fits into the overall game. It never felt punitive, and it incentivized me to keep my eyes open while I was exploring. Just as in real life, I’d start keeping my eye open for fuel when my tank was about down to about one-quarter full. It’s easy to find if you know where to look (gas stations and tow trucks are reliable places), but you don’t want to make the trek on foot if you can avoid it. A trip from one settlement to another took about 40 percent of my tank, to offer some form of context on the fuel-efficiency front.
I also learned that off-roading isn’t off limits, but that each botched landing or collision has consequences. If you’re methodical about looting, you’ll generally be all right. As with the gunplay, the bike’s overall handling seems significantly improved since I last played. There’s a nice sensation of weight to it, and it sounds absolutely amazing. They did cheat us to the second tier of upgrades, so I can’t say with certainty how the upgrade path flows, or whether it requires a lot of grinding. The bike is a constant part of your journey, so it’s going to be a worthwhile investment regardless.