Back to the Dawn

About

Back to the Dawn is a single player role playing game with mystery and erotic themes. It was developed by Metal Head Games and was released on July 17, 2025. It received very positive reviews from players.

A gripping prison escape RPG woven with crime, corruption, and hidden agendas. Step into a maximum-security facility where every inmate has a past—and a plan. You'll have to fight to survive, investigate, and ultimately break free before the time runs out. Uncover a scheme that threatens more than just your life—it could bring down the entire city. In this thrilling adventure, choices matter, and…

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95%Audience ScoreBased on 1,305 reviews

story273 positive mentions

grinding36 negative mentions

Engaging and well-written story with multiple endings and diverse, memorable characters full of personality and backstories.
Deep and immersive gameplay involving strategic time and resource management, dice roll mechanics, crafting, social interaction, and various mini-games.
High replayability supported by multiple escape routes, new game plus system carrying over character progression, and an expanding content with additional playable protagonists.

The 21-day time limit can feel restrictive and stressful for new players, forcing precise planning and limiting leisurely exploration.
Dice roll randomness can sometimes lead to frustrating failures, especially in combat or skill challenges, requiring save scumming or multiple playthroughs.
Some gameplay mechanics and progression systems, such as bonding with inmates and item gathering, can be grindy or unclear without external guides, impacting accessibility.

story
759 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
36%
63%
1%
The story of "Back to the Dawn" is widely praised for its rich, engaging narrative, well-developed characters, and intricate plotlines that unfold through player choices, offering multiple perspectives and endings. Set in a prison with anthropomorphic animal characters, the narrative blends drama, mystery, and dark humor, supported by detailed worldbuilding and side quests that add depth and replayability. While the 21-day in-game time limit adds urgency and tension to the story, some players find it restrictive, desiring more freedom to explore at their own pace, but overall the storytelling is considered a standout feature that elevates the game above typical prison sims.
- “The story is the best part of the game, hands down.”
- “A phenominal game, I don't think I've ever been more invested in a story, whether it be Thomas who's on the shorter side story-wise or Bob who is longer and more in-depth; both were a joy to play.”
- “The storytelling, the action, the drama, the mysteries... absolute 11/10.”
- “The 21st day time crunch does not give the player the freedom to go at their own pace unraveling the story altogether.”
- “Story - C+ (NPCs backstories are revealed via lengthy text files when you bond instead of having actual conversations which is really boring, grammar is really bad, some cutscenes are horrible (glad you can skip them after the first time), lots of contrived boring or cliché dialogue, a few plot points that take away player agency and logic, way too many dialogue options that just don't matter).”
- “But progress takes way too long for my taste, you repeat the same tasks over and over and get very little in return, the hours to story ratio is honestly baffling for a 'story rich' game, no player should have to work so hard to get some drips of the story and then have to play a few hours and then get very little story again.”
gameplay
292 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
35%
62%
3%
The gameplay offers a deep, immersive blend of RPG mechanics, resource management, and strategic planning centered on a time-limited prison escape narrative. It features engaging dice-roll skill checks, diverse minigames, and meaningful choices with multiple pathways and endings, though some players find the learning curve steep and the time constraints stressful. Overall, the gameplay loop is addictive and richly detailed, providing high replayability and a satisfying balance between narrative and mechanics.
- “A great CRPG with charming pixel art and fairly deep mechanics.”
- “Really fun addictive gameplay loop, with good writing and a ton of different endings for each of the multiple characters: highly replayable.”
- “The gameplay is packed with deep RPG mechanics, a great story, and solid gameplay.”
- “The gameplay is pretty okay but tedious (lots of micromanaging inventories, clothes, eating and using the bathroom, brushing your teeth), the art is great, and the UI / text can look a bit weird in places.”
- “Only thing that I can think of pushing people away from such a game mechanically is the 21 day time limit.”
- “Time limited gameplay/urgency based gameplay combined with elements of RNG aren't fun when your statistics need to be managed at the same time.”
graphics
132 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
49%
49%
2%
The game features a visually stunning 2.5D pixel art style that combines charming character animations with detailed, atmospheric environments, creating an immersive and distinctive prison setting. While the graphics are widely praised for their beauty and creativity, occasional issues such as lag or crashes during cutscenes on some systems can occur but can often be mitigated by adjusting settings. Overall, the art style is a major highlight that greatly enhances the narrative and gameplay experience.
- “The 2.5d pixel art aesthetic looks fantastic; all the characters are well written and have their own distinct traits that really make the prison feel lived in. The gameplay systems are well implemented, and there's a healthy amount of choice when it comes to escape routes.”
- “Visually stunning with incredibly detailed pixel graphics and beautiful, ambient lighting.”
- “The graphics are stunning, with attention to detail that makes every scene feel alive and vibrant.”
- “Sometimes the cutscenes can be pretty laggy and may crash, though lowering the graphics settings helps fix this.”
- “My only complaint is that the battle UI visuals look cheaply made and don't match the quality of the rest of the game.”
- “Additionally, while the pixel graphics are well-done, the medium-level visuals in between can sometimes feel lackluster, and the overall graphics quality could have been better optimized.”
replayability
84 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
35%
61%
4%
The game offers high replayability through multiple characters, diverse escape routes, branching storylines, and numerous endings, encouraging players to explore different approaches and secrets across multiple playthroughs. Its new game plus mode, character progression retention, and rich character interactions further enhance the experience, though some players note that repetition after a couple of runs may lessen the surprise factor. Overall, it provides deep, rewarding replay value with plenty of content to discover and experiment with.
- “Really fun addictive gameplay loop, with good writing and a ton of different endings for each of the multiple characters: highly replayable.”
- “You cannot see everything on a single playthrough, which adds a lot of replayability to the game.”
- “Exploring each room in depth is massively rewarding, one of the few games where the player can actually find a complicated ending without needing online guides. Pursuing the little things you find that might help you escape perfectly snap together with new possible paths opening. For me it was 'the sun' ending which I found myself accidentally uncovering while trying to find a simple little path out the prison, and it's things like this that have already made me complete two playthroughs of Thomas. The replayability is undeniably fun, with me now having the chance to go back and explore new social groups within the game and find different ways out. This is just for one of the characters; I'm yet to play Bob yet but there's so much content in just Thomas alone that the game is more than worth it for the price, especially with a third playable character being teased on the select screen, probably the best value for a game I've had in years.”
- “The only real criticism I have is that once you've done a playthrough as both characters, the replayability is a bit awkward.”
- “The sheer multitude of branching paths and different methods you can use to escape the prison allows for a lot of replayability, although needing to redo the main story quests every time gets tedious after the second run.”
- “The second playthrough I discovered there basically is no true replayability: dialogue encounters are exactly the same and occur at the same times, no mix ups with choices so again you know exactly what to do and when to do it, and you just sort of meta-game your way to victory rather than roleplaying.”
music
70 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
54%
42%
4%
The music in the game is widely praised for its atmospheric and immersive qualities, perfectly complementing the story and visuals with memorable, varied, and engaging tracks. Many players highlight the soundtrack as a standout feature, often describing it as catchy, emotional, and deserving of standalone release on platforms like Spotify. While a few mention minor repetition, overall the music significantly enhances the gaming experience and is regarded as a masterful component of the game's appeal.
- “The atmospheric music perfectly complements what’s happening on screen, enhancing key moments and making them even more memorable - whether tense, emotional, or even lighthearted.”
- “Don't get me started on the soundtrack, it's something I'm very fond of. The music person should pat themselves on the back for a masterpiece of an album.”
- “Your choices definitely matter, the characters each one of them feels unique and the music is just perfect. Every time I have booted the game up I just sat for a minute or two and just listened to the music.”
- “- serviceable music: the music isn't that great.”
- “- the music gets repetitive and annoying, I don't mind turning it off but I would love to see more of the soundtrack added.”
- “In seg, there is no music and no ambiance.”
humor
48 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game features a witty, multi-layered humor blending dark comedy, clever references, and quirky character interactions, often using anthropomorphic animals for added charm. While many find its humor smart, engaging, and well-integrated with the story, some criticize occasional cringeworthy or lowbrow jokes and tonal clashes between serious moments and meme-like jokes. Overall, its humor is a highlight that enriches the immersive prison setting and character-driven narrative.
- “The dialogues and overarching story are well-written, exciting, and infused with humor.”
- “There are so many hilarious situations and lines of dialogue that had me laughing, as well as countless easter eggs and references.”
- “The game also has a well-dosed amount of funny and smart references to popular media (like Prison Break, Breaking Bad, Fight Club, etc.) that makes the world of the game feel weirdly unreal, while also having enough original ideas to make it feel unique and believable, managing to make the world feel big even though you're confined into a prison.”
grinding
40 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
8%
2%
90%
Grinding in this game is frequently described as tedious and time-consuming, with many players finding the busywork of tasks, stat raising, and repeated main quests frustrating, especially due to strict time limits and micromanagement elements. While the grind provides depth and replayability through branching paths and systems, it can detract from pacing and become monotonous, making it less appealing for those seeking a straightforward story experience. However, some appreciate the challenge and complexity for a deep time sink, especially with features like new game plus that reduce grind on subsequent playthroughs.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “No grinding in the sense you might think, but you do want to do some work in prison to earn money.”
- “Not too grindy.”
- “The problem is the pacing and the tedious busywork.”
- “My final decision - I do not recommend this game if you're looking for good story without crazy grinding system.”
- “However what made me want to uninstall the game was the extremely specific nature to obtain certain endings (or any ending other than the "bad" endings) which is tedious at best and monotonous at worst.”
emotional
21 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game delivers a deeply touching and emotionally charged experience, enriched by atmospheric music, well-written characters, and heartfelt storytelling that resonates long after playing. Its unique blend of tragic, relatable inmate stories and subtle emotional cues creates immersion and genuine emotional investment, balanced with moments of humor. Players often find themselves emotionally drained yet rewarded by the meaningful depth and narrative impact throughout multiple storylines and endings.
- “The game delivers a powerful, atmospheric, and emotional experience that stays with you long after finishing it.”
- “When I saw Thomas shoot up in his chair with a furrowed expression of frustration at Angelo’s surprise visit, a subtle emotional cue which was animated specifically for this scene and not used anywhere else, it really hit me just how much effort was put into making these characters move as if they’re alive.”
- “Every character in this game is incredibly well written and all have extremely interesting, if not heart-wrenching stories about how they ended up in prison.”
atmosphere
20 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
25%
15%
The game’s atmosphere is widely praised for its immersive and emotionally resonant blend of gritty realism and charming, sometimes lighthearted elements, effectively enhanced by atmospheric music and detailed environments. The prison setting feels alive and oppressive yet convincingly social, creating a unique and memorable mood that complements the narrative and art style. Overall, the atmosphere significantly contributes to a compelling and immersive experience that stands out even in early access.
- “The atmospheric music perfectly complements what’s happening on screen, enhancing key moments and making them even more memorable - whether tense, emotional, or even lighthearted.”
- “The game delivers a powerful, atmospheric, and emotional experience that stays with you long after finishing it.”
- “The prison is detailed and atmospheric, with areas like the infirmary, sewers, library, and cafeteria all contributing to a sense of lived-in realism.”
- “I expected a darker and more violent prison atmosphere, but I was still satisfied in the end.”
- “My advice: watch Prison Break while playing to improve atmosphere lol”
- “The pixel art graphics are a standout feature, adding a nostalgic charm to the game but also highlighting the dark and oppressive prison atmosphere.”
character development
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
45%
28%
27%
Character development in the game is generally praised for its rich, meaningful dialogue and well-crafted character designs that align closely with their personalities. While some note missed opportunities due to heavy exposition rather than interactive conversations, the majority appreciate the deep, consequence-driven narrative and RPG elements that enhance character growth and immersion. Overall, the game delivers polished and dynamic character arcs within a creatively designed world.
- “This game is set on a 21 day time frame in which time only goes forward if you take an action first. The writers managed to create dozens of dialogues for each day, keeping almost every single dialogue meaningful, allowing you to eavesdrop on a character talking about something on day 1 and see the consequences of that talk many days later. Almost every dialogue is planned to have consequences and character development of all the inmates in a really impressive way, from small talk to player actions.”
- “Love love love this game, great main and side character development/story, and the fact there's another character to play besides Thomas the Fox!”
- “Great pixel art, great music, dialogue, and character development for literally every inmate - this game just oozes polish.”
- “Missed opportunities for story/character development.”
- “Aside from an intriguing story, Back to the Dawn provides an RPG experience focused on decision making, combining several interesting elements such as dice rolling and character development based on parameters and skills.”
- “The game introduces RPG elements such as dice rolling and character development based on skills, creating a dynamic environment where decisions matter.”
optimization
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
17%
33%
Optimization is generally solid with smooth performance and no major bugs, but some users report significant frame drops and stuttering in specific outdoor areas and cut scenes, particularly during certain missions. These issues force players to lower resolution and affect gameplay experience. Overall, the game could benefit from better optimization in select sections to ensure consistent performance.
- “Performance was flawless with no bugs, crashes, or issues.”
- “Could you optimize the outdoor areas and cut scenes? I had to lower the resolution and play at 5 FPS during the first flashback and in the garden, but everywhere else the game runs smoothly.”
- “The overall graphics quality could have been better optimized.”
- “Really enjoyed the game but optimization on the rooftop job makes it unplayable, with massive stuttering and big lag input, especially when trying the bucket job.”
- “Additionally, while the pixel graphics are well-done, the medium-level visuals can sometimes feel lackluster, and the overall graphics quality could have been better optimized.”
stability
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
40%
The game is generally stable, offering a mostly bug-free experience with only minor glitches that do not affect gameplay. Users appreciate its reliability and recommend it for casual play.
- “Lovely art and a bug-free experience though, if you're looking to pass some time.”
- “It is also mostly bug-free, with only minor bugs that don't impact gameplay.”