As Dusk Falls

About

"As Dusk Falls" is a mystery role-playing game that combines single-player and multi-player cooperative gameplay. This interactive drama follows the entangled lives of two families over thirty years, offering a rich and immersive story. The Special Edition includes bonus items such as a cinematic poster, collector's box, postcards, pins, and a replica key, enhancing the overall experience for fans of the game.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Local Multi-Player Play with friends in the same physical space using split-screen or multiple screens
2-Players Play with one other player, either online or locally, in a cooperative or competitive game mode
Multi-Player Compete or cooperate with other players online
Co-Op Team up with friends to complete levels or missions together
Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo
Split Screen Play with multiple players on the same screen, often with divided or shared screen real estate

90%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,062 reviews

story438 positive mentions

grinding3 negative mentions

Engaging and immersive storytelling that keeps players invested in the characters and their fates.
Meaningful choices that have significant consequences, making each decision feel impactful.
Unique art style that, while initially jarring, enhances the overall narrative experience.

The game ends on a cliffhanger, leaving many plot threads unresolved and feeling incomplete.
Some characters and story arcs feel underdeveloped or clichéd, detracting from the overall experience.
Limited gameplay mechanics, primarily consisting of quick-time events and dialogue choices, may not appeal to all players.

story
1,000 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
44%
54%
2%
The story of "As Dusk Falls" is widely praised for its compelling narrative and character development, drawing players into an emotionally charged experience where choices significantly impact outcomes. While the unique art style and pacing initially deter some, many reviewers found themselves immersed in the story, which tackles heavy themes and features well-crafted characters. However, some critiques highlight issues with pacing, unresolved plot threads, and a cliffhanger ending that leaves players wanting more, suggesting a sequel or additional content is needed to fully satisfy the narrative's potential.
- “The story is compelling and tight, the visuals are beautiful, characters are well thought out and you actually get to find a reason to root for them because the game is brilliant at telling each background story of the characters without having to sacrifice the pacing for it.”
- “Such a well-written, immersive, and emotional story, where every choice does actually matter, and makes you sit there and think or clutch your hands trying to choose something fast.”
- “The game’s ability to make you reflect on your choices and their consequences long after the credits roll is a testament to its storytelling prowess.”
- “The story in book one is really bad and book two is quite weak... and there's no ending... the game ends in a cliffhanger making it all pointless...”
- “But I almost want to vote it down because while pretty much every storyline is wrapped up by the end, it ends with a cliffhanger for a future story that doesn't seem like it will ever come.”
- “The story is very open at the end.”
graphics
237 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
39%
60%
1%
The graphics of *As Dusk Falls* feature a unique art style that blends hand-painted visuals with a motion comic format, which some players initially find off-putting but ultimately appreciate for its charm and storytelling enhancement. While the static images and lack of traditional animation can feel jarring at first, many reviewers note that the visuals grow on them, complementing the game's compelling narrative and character development. Overall, the art style is divisive, with some praising its originality and others critiquing its execution, but it generally contributes positively to the immersive experience.
- “The game’s unique art style adds to its charm, presenting a mix of hand-painted visuals and realistic animation that enhances the storytelling experience.”
- “The static, comic-book-like visuals give the story a cinematic feel, adding emotion and atmosphere to every scene.”
- “The hand-painted art style is unusual for a narrative-driven game, but it quickly became one of the game’s most memorable features.”
- “The art style is fine, but the animations (or lack of, there's just jumps between stills) is really bad.”
- “I see that the art style is a design choice, but frankly it just comes across as lazy and both my partner and I quickly decided it was unplayable.”
- “If one isn't already bored after getting through random irrelevant scenes (like a kid getting lost in a forest without any palpable connection to the main plot) any remaining suspense will be killed by the excruciatingly slow alternation of frames that are part of an art style that couldn't decide if it wanted to be an animation or a picture book and instead opted for awkward almost-animation.”
gameplay
100 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
17%
77%
6%
The gameplay of this title is heavily focused on storytelling, featuring minimal traditional gameplay elements such as quick-time events (QTEs) and dialogue choices, which may leave some players feeling more like spectators than active participants. While the narrative is compelling and emotionally engaging, the lack of complex gameplay mechanics and reliance on cinematic storytelling can be a drawback for those seeking a richer interactive experience. Overall, it appeals to fans of narrative-driven games but may disappoint players looking for substantial gameplay.
- “I played it in one breath because of the incredibly immersive plot, atmosphere, and gameplay.”
- “While 'As Dusk Falls' prioritizes storytelling over traditional gameplay mechanics, the interactive elements serve to enhance the narrative experience.”
- “Juicy story and fun gameplay.”
- “While the story is undeniably compelling and the characters evoke genuine emotion, the gameplay often feels minimalistic to a fault.”
- “But its lack of traditional gameplay elements and reliance on cinematic storytelling may leave some players feeling like spectators rather than participants.”
- “It's like watching a 6-hour long movie, with some very minimal gameplay which consists of either some quick-time events or choosing between some dialogue choices or object-hunting locations.”
music
61 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
74%
21%
5%
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its ability to enhance the storytelling and overall atmosphere. The soundtrack is described as phenomenal, perfectly complementing the game's emotional depth and character development, while the voice acting further elevates the experience. Despite a few criticisms of specific songs, the overall consensus is that the music significantly contributes to the game's immersive quality.
- “The soundtrack is also phenomenal and perfectly captures the feel of the game.”
- “The soundtrack complements the story perfectly, enhancing the mood and atmosphere throughout the game.”
- “The music, on the other hand, is truly excellent.”
- “Cons: theme song sucks”
- “The music in this game is a pop (do kids still say that nowadays) either way.”
- “The song that's being played in the main menu is basically what the story and this game is all about.”
emotional
45 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game is praised for its deeply emotional narrative, where every choice significantly impacts the story, making players feel invested in the characters and their fates. With a blend of immersive storytelling, strong voice acting, and stunning visuals, it delivers a gripping experience that evokes a wide range of emotions, though some players note a sense of unfulfillment in certain character arcs. Overall, it stands out as a masterclass in interactive storytelling, appealing to those who appreciate emotionally charged narratives.
- “Such a well written, immersive, and emotional story, where every choice does actually matter, and makes you sit there and think or clutch your hands trying to choose something fast.”
- “The emotional depth and tension in the story make it an unforgettable experience, and now, with a little luck and a RAM upgrade/fix, I might just dive back in for another playthrough.”
- “What unfolds is a tense, emotionally charged narrative that will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.”
replayability
30 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
57%
10%
The game offers high replayability due to its numerous branching storylines and character fates, allowing players to explore different outcomes through various choices. While some users noted the game's relatively short length, they appreciated the ability to revisit chapters and make different decisions, enhancing the overall experience. However, a few players expressed a desire for features like a skip dialogue button to improve the replay experience further.
- “Length-wise, you can complete your first round in 6-7 hours, and it has great replayability if you want to discover different routes or fates from the characters, that are recorded in a timeline chart that you can check any time and replay at different points in each chapter to change decisions.”
- “The game undoubtedly has a great replay value - you can create a new save from any point in the story.”
- “The characters are well built with vivid personalities and complex relationships, the acting performances are great and the possible outcomes are enough to give it plenty of replay value.”
- “When the actual outcome of the plot wouldn't change, I don't see the replay value.”
- “I've run through the game once and I think that'll be all for me; it would have been nice if there was an option to speed through some of the cut scenes for replayability so a following run won't get dull.”
- “However, some people argue that the game is too short and does not offer enough replay value.”
optimization
19 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
47%
27%
26%
The game's optimization has received mixed reviews; while some players praise its overall performance and lack of bugs, others report significant issues such as stuttering sound and crashes, particularly when using high texture packs. Despite being a 2D game that should run on lower-end hardware, several users experienced poor performance and advanced hardware requirements, leading to frustration within the community. Overall, while the voice acting and writing are highly regarded, the technical optimization leaves much to be desired for some players.
- “The game is well-optimized, with no bugs encountered during my playthrough.”
- “The combination of excellent writing, engaging voice performances, and impactful choices makes for a truly immersive experience.”
- “The characters are well built with vivid personalities and complex relationships, the acting performances are great and the possible outcomes are enough to give it plenty of replay value.”
- “The only beef I have for a game like this is the advanced hardware requirements and bad performance; even just moving the mouse cursor is slow.”
- “Terrible PC optimization; it repeatedly kept crashing once I installed the high texture pack. This issue should have been addressed after release, as I can see plenty of similar complaints from the community.”
- “Can't play this because of a stuttering sound issue.”
atmosphere
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
82%
18%
The atmosphere of the game is highly praised for its immersive plot, complemented by a fitting soundtrack and strong voice acting, which together enhance the overall experience. Players appreciate the cinematic feel created by the visuals and the emotional depth of the story, likening it to other successful titles like "Detroit: Become Human." The game's professional execution and lack of bugs further contribute to its engaging atmosphere.
- “The soundtrack complements the story perfectly, enhancing the mood and atmosphere throughout the game.”
- “Throughout the game, subdued atmospheric tunes set the mood perfectly.”
- “A dive into the USA atmosphere is guaranteed.”
- “The static, comic-book-like visuals give the story a cinematic feel, adding emotion and atmosphere to every scene.”
character development
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
57%
43%
Character development in the game is generally praised for its depth and connection to the narrative, with well-designed characters that reveal multiple facets as the story progresses. While some reviews highlight excellent character arcs and voice acting, others criticize the script and overall development, indicating a mixed reception. Overall, the character development is seen as a strong point, though not universally acclaimed.
- “The character development is excellent, with each character revealing different sides as the story unfolds.”
- “+ exceptionally well-written narrative, both in character development and strategic information deployment across timelines.”
- “I dig the art style & the voice acting was top-notch... but the underwhelming script and the poor character development killed the whole experience for me.”
- “The character designs are well thought out, making it easy to connect with their struggles and motivations.”
- “The character development feels shallow and lacks the depth needed to make the story engaging.”
grinding
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
17%
50%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and time-consuming, often requiring significant investment to progress. Many express frustration with repetitive content and the inability to skip cutscenes during replays, which exacerbates the feeling of monotony. Overall, while the game starts strong, it tends to become laborious towards the end.
- “It can be a bit grindy sometimes, but the rewards make it worth it.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding, but the sense of achievement is incredible.”
- “It's both sad and ironic that all the previous games that I played: Fahrenheit, Heavy Rain (those two games from the same developer, I believe) had the same problems - decent/good start but then you get to the end it becomes very tedious and horrible.”
- “This makes replays very tedious since you're going to sit through hours of content you've already seen before.”
- “The only tedious part for me was not being able to skip the cut scenes when playing again to quickly run through the game.”
stability
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The stability of "As Dusk Falls" has been criticized for frequent visual glitches, overlapping audio, and significant freezing issues, particularly when starting the game. While the graphics and aesthetic are praised, these technical problems detract from the overall experience, making it frustrating for players.
- “As Dusk Falls is a PowerPoint presentation that has had visual glitches, overlapping audio, and a co-op mode that should've been called 'lottery'.”
- “Got into the main menu once, now it freezes every single time upon displaying the Xbox logo.”
- “Despite some occasional visual glitches, and the use of rather heavy and sensitive themes, the game's captivating story and immersive experience will keep you rooting for the characters and engaged until the very end.”
humor
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
150%
The humor in the game is highlighted by its ability to create funny moments, particularly through allowing players to choose "the worst/risky" options, which often leads to unexpected and amusing outcomes.
- “Definitely had a few funny moments because of letting people choose the worst or riskiest options.”
- “The humor in this game is spot on and keeps you laughing throughout.”
- “I love how the game incorporates humor into the gameplay, making even the serious moments light-hearted.”