In my experience...

DayZ is a hardcore sandbox survival game that is absolute heaven for your average nihilistic user. It offers very little in the way of goals and curated content is practically non-existent. Instead, the burden of figuring out what to do is placed on the player... and this is the biggest draw in this game. You may approach each issue in your own preferred way and there is little in the way of "meta". Go solo or in large packs. Cars or without. Stashing or bread-to-bread. Whatever fits your playstyle. Guns blazing or sneaky beeky. The freedom to choose how you play... but also what you play for.

That latter one... in this case is where DayZ falls flat on its face for many users. This game does NOT offer you any goals beyond staying alive (even that is debatable). You make them yourself... and for some, this is too hard or.. just not what they enjoy.

DayZ IS a hardcore game. Although some say it could be more hardcore... some think its easy, but for the beginner the learning curve is VERY steep. You are given very little in the way of information on the UI and the world and most of what you will learn is done by yourself. Text-hints given in the form of item descriptions are as far as the game will go to babysit you. Food and water are scarce at the beginning (especially on Livonia) and you will find yourself contemplating between going into combat and risking your items just for that single can of beans the other person could have... or not... some people are really wild and will jump you at a moments notice from spotting you like a pack of hungry dogs.

Speaking of which, DayZ offers some variety in the nature. Survival is not only tied to looting, but also can be done through hunting and growing crops. You can harvest water (remember to or purify it), wood and edibles from the nature as well as track down that meaty delight. Some aspects are still a bit lacking... but it's mostly there... including fishing.

Not all is safe in the land of chernarus (and Livonia), though. On your travels, you might encounter other hostile beings from the average zombie or a rabid human acumen... both equally vicious, but the former only spawning on the coast. Wolves and bears both roam the nature and will track you down and make you their next dish if you happen to cross their paths.

To round things off... DayZ is an immersive, challenging game that will not teach you anything... at all... prepare to be frustrated... a lot. The game is riddled with challenge... and the occasional bug that has sort of become the hallmark of any open world game by this point. Not to be afraid though, DayZ offers a great modding suite and there are already dozens... or more mods on the workshop to take your pick from. Just make sure to join a server that is running the exact set youre looking for to run them. There are so many tastes to this game... and fret not... there is a server catered jsut for you, whatever it may be that youre looking for.

Now 1024 hours on record and the game is certainly in a better place. Still would recommend

Now 2052 hours on record. Met the love of my life on DayZ. Best Dating platform ever.

Now 2600 hours on record. DayZ's always been there to connect me with people... or connect bullets with people