First Day

First Day

Early access since Aug 2019

It's the first day of the rest of your life

47% positive · 137 reviews
Not yet
In early access, active development but status unclear
Low confidence
Active Development
Development Uncertain
Not yet
In early access, active development but status unclear
Low confidence
Active Development
Development Uncertain

Where to get it

Free on Steam

Evaluation

First Day is a post-apocalyptic survival strategy game that has been in Early Access since August 23, 2019, developed entirely by a single developer (BadWolf Games / Alexander Badrak). The game converted to free-to-play in September 2021 when the developer paused development due to personal and financial difficulties, though they stated clearly this was not permanent and that they had ongoing plans for the game. Development has continued in a sporadic but genuine pattern. The game has received over 49 developer posts since launch including 6 major content drops, 12 feature patches, and 8 bug fixes. Recent notable additions (described in the May 21, 2025 post) include a new resource — radioactive crystals — along with new nuclear reactor buildings, a reworked UI, balance changes, and an early crafting system. A bug fix patch followed on June 19, 2025, the most recent developer communication. The developer has been candid about the challenges of solo development: in December 2022 they described being exhausted from a 13-hour-a-day job alongside personal losses, and in September 2024 they acknowledged another long absence and expressed a goal of releasing updates "at least once every 1-2 months." No formal 1.0 roadmap or completion date has ever been announced. All four listed DLC items have been released. The game remains in Early Access with no graduation to a full 1.0 release indicated or scheduled. Given the developer's history of irregular gaps, limited personal bandwidth, and absence of any stated completion target, the path to a finished 1.0 release remains uncertain — though the developer continues to engage with the project.
Evidence
Developer returned after a period of absence, fixed crashes, and described recently merged additions: radioactive crystals, nuclear reactor buildings, reworked UI, balance changes, and early crafting systems. Mentioned possible upcoming feature (nude body models) but made no firm promises.
news post · May 21, 2025 source development ongoing
high
Developer paused work indefinitely due to unspecified difficulties and converted the game to free-to-play. Stated this was not permanent and outlined ongoing plans: reworked mechanics, expanded game world, new content and systems.
news post · Sep 27, 2021 source ambiguous
high

Content

4 of 4 released · no outstanding content
Released
Feb 2022

Media

Details

Developer
Publisher
BadWolf Games
Achievements
32
Platform
Windows, macOS, Linux
Controller
—
Steam Deck
Not rated
Players
Single-player

About this game

Welcome to hell!

Who would have thought that a nuclear weapon is dangerous ...

Do you know what to start over?

From the very beginning...

A few minutes after the start of a nuclear war, the entire planet was covered with a huge wave of resonating atomic energy, which wiped almost all living things from her face.

From the land that we knew there were only stones, sand and debris ...

All the liquid on the planet has turned into alcohol.

The only plants that remained and were able to more or less adapt to the new atmosphere were the mutated cacti, the last safe drinking liquid remained in them.

Those few who miraculously survived were lucky enough to call it that, because now they have to hide from deadly sandstorms and crowds of zombies ...

Many of them would rather die than for days to dig in the trash in the hope of finding something edible there or something else that will prolong their "life"

«This is a creative discussion on the threat of nuclear weapons. Its production, storage, use and disposal. And also about nuclear terrorism.» "In this project I tried to convey the most filled emptiness of the post-apocalyptic world, and also to remind that there is always a way out, whatever the circumstances, it is important to remember that once there was only emptiness, but now there is everything. It doesn't matter what you build from, it matters what you build. You can be anyone, you can change this world. John Smoke (Alexander Badrak)"

First Day is a game in mixed genres with a predominant strategy genre, in the game you have to revive a civilization destroyed by a nuclear apocalypse, or, well, or what is generally possible to revive after a nuclear apocalypse.

Reflect the attack of zombies and other enemies, defend and repair the camp! Gain experience, train your subordinates in new skills and improve their old skills! Find outfits and equip your people! Find the survivors, invite them to your faction, increase the population! War is everywhere! Explore the world, travel to new locations and build your bases wherever you want! Collect trash, look for weapons and other useful things and tools in it. Create the resources necessary for survival and development! Build fortifications and useful production facilities! Develop your faction and create your own empire!

Last evaluated Jun 26, 2026
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