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Day of Defeat

This action-based mod for Half-Life, set during World War II, first debuted online more than a year before Medal of Honor: Allied Assault became a runaway hit. Now this multiplayer online shooter lets players storm the battlefields of Western Europe. The authentic game play has been refined during t
Day of Defeat Game Cover
85%Game Brain Score
gameplay, graphics
story, stability
89% User Score Based on 4,012 reviews
Critic Score 71%Based on 2 reviews

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Day of Defeat Game Cover

About

Day of Defeat is a multiplayer shooter game with a warfare theme. It was developed by Valve and was released on May 1, 2003. It received mostly positive reviews from critics and positive reviews from players.

"Day of Defeat" is a team-based World War II first-person shooter, where players can choose from various soldier classes, each with unique weapons. Missions are based on real-life historical operations, requiring coordination and teamwork to complete mission-specific objectives. Immerse yourself in an intense and engaging Axis vs. Allied combat experience.

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Day of Defeat screenshot
Day of Defeat screenshot
Day of Defeat screenshot
Day of Defeat screenshot
Day of Defeat screenshot
Day of Defeat screenshot
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89%
Audience ScoreBased on 4,012 reviews
gameplay112 positive mentions
story14 negative mentions
  • gameplay
    326 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of this title is characterized by its emphasis on teamwork, class-based mechanics, and objective-driven maps, fostering strategic cooperation among players. While the mechanics are straightforward and accessible, some users note that the game can feel dated and lacks innovative features compared to modern FPS titles. Overall, it offers a satisfying combat experience with a nostalgic charm, appealing to both casual and competitive players despite its graphical limitations.

    • “The game emphasizes teamwork and strategy, making it a staple in the genre for its engaging and tactical gameplay.”
    • “Its emphasis on teamwork, class diversity, and objective-based gameplay make it a standout title in the genre, appealing to both casual and competitive players.”
    • “The simple, predictable mechanics of the Goldsource engine give you a level of fine control over movement that greatly contributes to the depth of the gameplay.”
    • “There are several other strange solutions here, namely the extremely low speed while moving in aiming mode, as well as the need to wait 10 seconds after each death, which is very exhausting for every beginner who has just bought the game and is not used to its mechanics.”
    • “Graphics are dated, gameplay is simple, the learning curve can be punishing for new players, servers are few and the player base is small.”
    • “The gameplay is pretty basic by modern FPS standards, coming from an era where things like free mouselook were still kind of new.”
  • graphics
    298 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of "Day of Defeat" are widely regarded as outdated, reflecting its origins in the GoldSrc engine and its release in the early 2000s. While many players acknowledge the dated visuals, they often appreciate the nostalgic charm and the game's ability to evoke a gritty WWII atmosphere. Overall, the consensus is that while the graphics may not compete with modern titles, the engaging gameplay compensates for their shortcomings, making the game enjoyable for those who prioritize fun over visual fidelity.

    • “While graphics may not compete with modern titles, they were impressive for a game of its era.”
    • “It's dated graphics have a charm to them that newer games just don't have.”
    • “The graphics are pretty good, they give out a pretty nostalgic feeling.”
    • “The original Day of Defeat, graphics-wise, looks like shit.”
    • “Graphically it is clear that the old Half-Life engine has run its course; Day of Defeat is by no means a good-looking game and the lack of detail can get distracting at times, especially when considering that its main rival is the stellar-looking Battlefield 1942.”
    • “Yes, it is old, and the graphics are complete crap, but when you get into it, it's like you're really there.”
  • story
    48 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The reviews indicate a mixed reception regarding the story aspect of the game, with many users noting a lack of a traditional narrative, often describing it as "no story" or minimal in-depth storytelling. Some players appreciate the gameplay experience and the historical context, suggesting that the focus is more on action and teamwork rather than a compelling narrative. A few reviews highlight a more engaging storyline, contrasting it with other games, but overall, the consensus leans towards a minimalistic approach to storytelling.

    • “At first I was skeptical of Day of Defeat, but then I started the story.”
    • “A thousand hours of gameplay, a storyline more complex than 'Heart of Darkness', graphics that rival Crysis, the best gunplay ever; I only feel pity for people who can't play this DirectX 11 only game.”
    • “Compelling story.”
    • “Since there's no story, we're jumping straight into graphics.”
    • “PC games had nearly no story or just tell a 'you are a soldier.'”
    • “Who cares about story is one historical fact.”
  • humor
    26 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is largely derived from its outdated engine, leading to amusing glitches like inaccurate guns and broken hitboxes, which players find entertaining. Many reviews highlight the game's funny voice lines and the lighthearted atmosphere created by its community, making it a great choice for those looking to share laughs with friends. Overall, the game is described as consistently hilarious, even years after its release.

    • “The age of the engine this game runs on causes some very funny issues like guns being inaccurate when they are not intended to be.”
    • “This game is old but if you want to have some laughs and giggles with friends because of the funny German voice lines, then I definitely recommend it to you and your friends as well as because it's cheap.”
    • “Still active years later, still hilarious, and you can still get your ass handed to you by people who actually have skill in FPS games.”
  • atmosphere
    22 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere of "Day of Defeat" is highly praised for its immersive and gritty representation of World War II, enhanced by effective sound design that includes gunfire, explosions, and ambient noises. Players feel a strong sense of tension and anticipation, particularly in close-quarters scenarios, which contributes to a compelling and engaging gameplay experience. Overall, the combination of modest graphics and strong atmospheric elements creates a memorable and intense environment for players.

    • “The sounds of gunfire, explosions, and ambient noise create an immersive atmosphere.”
    • “The atmosphere, my friends, it's like you're right there in the middle of the action.”
    • “Now for the ambience, it can be very immersive to be sitting inside of a building anticipating someone to enter. Not only do you hear the combat nearby, which sounds amazing, but you will also hear distant combat in some of the maps, and there is also artillery fire in a certain area which really adds to the atmosphere.”
    • “The mechanics and atmosphere are surprisingly strong.”
    • “Visual style: as a mod for Half-Life, Day of Defeat had modest graphics for its time, but it effectively captured the gritty atmosphere of WWII.”
  • music
    22 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with some players appreciating the main menu soundtrack and its fitting themes for different factions. However, many noted that the soundtrack is limited, primarily playing only at the start and end of rounds, leading to a lack of engagement during gameplay. Overall, while the music is described as recognizable and enjoyable, its minimal presence leaves players wanting more.

    • “I relaxed for 5 minutes listening to this music, long enough to realize that I would be okay.”
    • “The music you do hear is very recognizable and fits well with their factions.”
    • “Soundtracks: having the main menu that is very good and when the sides win.”
    • “The soundtrack, however, is very limited to only playing music at the end of a round or when you launch the game for the first time.”
    • “The music is almost non-existing.”
    • “Sound, volume, and music are meh.”
  • replayability
    14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game is noted for its high replayability, with users rating it around 8/10 due to the abundance of maps available. However, some players express frustration with weapon selection tied to specific nations, which can limit enjoyment during gameplay. Overall, while it offers significant replay value, comparisons to other games like Day of Defeat Source suggest it may not be the top choice for all players.

    • “Replayability: 8/10”
    • “Tons of maps, so lots of replayability.”
    • “I think all in all, even if this game was still enjoyable and thriving today, Day of Defeat: Source is always there, and that's obviously a better decision... because let's be honest, the only Goldsource games worth playing for their replayability are Half-Life and its expansions.”
    • “The guns themselves are fairly well done, although I found myself disliking the weapons for an entire nation (America), meaning I would be stuck with weapons I didn't want half the time, since the Brits are playable on comparatively few maps and you can't always be on Axis.”
    • “One of the most replayable games ever.”
  • stability
    12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's stability is frequently criticized, with users reporting significant bugs, lag, and glitches, particularly on modern hardware. While some appreciate the graphics, the overall experience is marred by technical issues that hinder gameplay, leading many to prefer alternative titles.

    • “Game is very buggy and laggy.”
    • “However, for a modern audience, it's very very dated and a bit buggy on modern hardware.”
    • “That's if you can even shoot moving your mouse at all; it was pretty terrible and buggy when I figured out how to move my mouse (you have to mess with settings, by the way) I could literally not do anything.”
  • optimization
    8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game is well-optimized, running smoothly on various systems thanks to the reliable Half-Life engine, with stable performance, minimal lag, and quick loading times. While the graphics are considered average, they do not detract from the overall enjoyable gameplay experience.

    • “Players can expect stable performance, with minimal lag and quick loading times, making it accessible to a wide audience.”
    • “Gameplay is fun, graphics are alright (but I myself don't care about graphical performance); the only thing that ruins the fun is the sniper rifles.”
    • “Graphics and performance”
    • “Performance: the game generally runs well on a variety of systems, benefiting from the robust Half-Life engine.”
  • grinding
    8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players consistently express that the grinding required in the game is excessively time-consuming, often suggesting that it feels like one would need a second life to complete it.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
  • monetization
    4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Users express frustration over the lack of ads in the game, suggesting that monetization could be improved by incorporating them. They also recommend "Day of Defeat: Source" for a more polished experience, implying that the current game's monetization strategy may not meet expectations.

    • “What does Valve have against ads?!”
    • “You cannot ads and for a much more polished experience get Day of Defeat: Source.”
  • emotional
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players express a strong emotional connection to the game, often referring to it as a classic that evokes nostalgia and deep feelings. This sentiment is reinforced by the presence of active servers, indicating a vibrant community that shares similar emotional ties.

    • “This game is a classic, and it's something that I feel quite emotional about.”
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71%Critics’ scoreBased on 2 critic reviews
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3h Median play time
3h Average play time
2-3h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 4 analyzed playthroughs
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Frequently Asked Questions

Day of Defeat is a shooter game with warfare theme.

Day of Defeat is available on PC, Mac OS, Windows and Linux.

On average players spend around 3 hours playing Day of Defeat.

Day of Defeat was released on May 1, 2003.

Day of Defeat was developed by Valve.

Day of Defeat has received mostly positive reviews from players and mostly positive reviews from critics. Most players liked this game for its gameplay but disliked it for its story.

Day of Defeat is a multiplayer game.

Similar games include Team Fortress Classic, Insurgency, Day of Infamy, Battlefield Bad Company 2, Half-Life 2: Deathmatch and others.