TheDawn

About

TheDawn is a single player shooter game. It was developed by LIMITED and was released on December 11, 2020. It received very positive reviews from players.

TheDawn is a third-person shooting game about the journey of Maya, with superpowers who can manipulate time, and Max, the hacker who helps her. Will they be able to save mankind and face a new dawn?

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

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93%

Audience ScoreBased on 2,140 reviews

gameplay281 positive mentions

optimization13 negative mentions

Engaging gameplay with smooth mechanics and time manipulation abilities.
Visually appealing graphics and character design, especially for a free game.
Challenging boss fight that requires learning attack patterns, providing a rewarding experience.

Very short playtime, typically around 30-60 minutes, leaving players wanting more.
Lack of graphical settings and resolution options, leading to performance issues on some systems.
Some bugs and glitches, particularly during the boss fight, affecting gameplay experience.

gameplay
487 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
58%
40%
2%
The gameplay of this indie title is characterized by a solid and engaging loop, featuring fun mechanics such as time manipulation and responsive gunplay. While the game is relatively short, lasting around 30 minutes to an hour, players appreciate the unique combat mechanics and satisfying boss encounters, though some note a lack of depth and polish. Overall, the gameplay is enjoyable and has potential for further development, making it a worthwhile experience for fans of the genre.
- “The gameplay is very unique and refreshing, unlike every other game that just copies what sells, this one is doing its own thing.”
- “The mechanics are pretty easy to get into but it takes time to master them, the story is generic but it adds spice to the gameplay at least, and the gameplay itself is amazing, the fast-paced combat really took it off.”
- “The gameplay loop is somewhat basic for the most part; hack, shoot, hack, shoot, but there really isn't much more needed for that loop, since the gameplay is so satisfying.”
- “The game is built well graphically; however, I feel like it is lacking substance when it comes to gameplay. It just seems like an all-out brawl against robots, which can be somewhat enjoyable, but it gets very repetitive very quickly.”
- “I found the gameplay to be way too tedious and repetitive to be worth anybody's time.”
story
254 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
31%
63%
6%
The game's story is generally described as short and simplistic, often lacking depth and character development, which is expected given its indie status and brief playtime of around 30 minutes to 2 hours. While some players found the premise of an AI takeover intriguing, many felt that the narrative was rushed and could benefit from expansion and more detailed storytelling. Overall, the story serves as a backdrop to the gameplay rather than a focal point, with players expressing a desire for a more fleshed-out narrative in potential future updates or sequels.
- “After years, it is still a great game, great graphics and great story.”
- “The story is short but efficient; the dialogues give some life to the characters.”
- “The theme, although pretty typical, is fitting for the scenario and the short character backstory is rather touching.”
- “The story is terrible, and it seems like the synopsis for a book was turned into this game.”
- “The story is almost nonexistent, and that's honestly something to be expected with a game like this.”
- “The story feels as if you were dropped off at the very last chapter, which isn't necessarily bad given its brevity.”
graphics
239 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
35%
59%
6%
The graphics of the game receive mixed feedback, with many players appreciating the anime art style and overall visual appeal, particularly for a free title. However, a significant number of users express frustration over the lack of graphics settings and optimization issues, which can lead to performance problems on lower-end devices. While some find the visuals satisfactory and fitting for the gameplay, others highlight the need for better customization options to enhance the gaming experience.
- “After years, it is still a great game, great graphics and great story.”
- “The graphics are surprisingly good.”
- “Great graphics, original abilities (to my knowledge) which may I mention are sick, it's really quite fun, the best free game (in my opinion) that I have come across so far, especially as a single player game.”
- “There are no graphics options, and the optimization seems really bad, considering it lags the whole PC's UI and not just the game.”
- “The game is not bad, but it lacks at least basic graphics settings through edit->project settings->quality in Unity.”
- “Game looks pretty cool - I would love to be able to get past the tutorial but there are unfortunately no graphics settings or even a way to change the resolution so the framerate is unplayable on my machine.”
optimization
45 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
11%
60%
29%
The game's optimization is widely criticized, with many users reporting severe performance issues, including frame drops and lag that affect not only the game but the entire PC's UI. There is a notable lack of graphics options, making it difficult for players to adjust settings for smoother gameplay, and many feel that the game requires significantly higher specs than advertised to run properly. Overall, the consensus is that the game is poorly optimized, which detracts from the overall experience.
- “The game provides mostly solid 60 fps (minor frame drops when horde spawned) and stable performance without crashes or glitches in my playthrough.”
- “Very optimized and awesome concept.”
- “Thankfully the blender level was extremely smooth so it must have been the environment that wasn't well-optimized.”
- “There are no graphics options, and the optimization seems really bad, considering it lags the whole PC's UI and not just the game.”
- “The performance/optimization on this game just doesn't exist.”
- “I wouldn't recommend it because I don't know if it's just me and my potato PC, but the optimization is terrible and I would drop down to frames in the single digits, so I stopped playing fairly soon.”
music
36 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
64%
28%
8%
The music in the game has received generally positive feedback, with many players praising the soundtrack as enjoyable and fitting for the gameplay. While some noted that certain tracks can feel repetitive or generic, others highlighted standout pieces, particularly during boss fights. Overall, the music enhances the gaming experience, contributing to the game's atmosphere and engagement.
- “Cool game with a nice soundtrack.”
- “Great soundtrack, great fight mechanic.”
- “The music fits the game, the voice acting is believable, the boss fight is engaging and fun.”
- “The music for fighting enemies could be better, but I like the boss theme.”
- “Soundtrack: [6/10] It's average, nothing much to say about this one.”
- “The music is okay; the designs are pretty solid for what appears to be an indie. My only problem is that the transition in-between the boss level and the first level is pretty rough in both combat and artistic choice.”
stability
35 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
9%
97%
The game's stability has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting significant bugs and glitches that affect gameplay, particularly during boss fights. While some users experienced solid performance with minimal frame drops, others encountered issues like freezing during animations and falling out of the map. Overall, the game is described as enjoyable but marred by its instability, especially in critical moments.
- “Well put together, bug-free in my experience.”
- “The game runs smoothly without any crashes or glitches.”
- “I appreciate the consistent performance; it never lags or freezes.”
- “The game is quite buggy.”
- “I wanted to enjoy this, and I respect that it was made by students, but it was just too buggy.”
- “Blender fight was a buggy mess but the game mechanics are good.”
character development
17 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
71%
11%
18%
Character development in the game is noted to be minimal, with players expressing a desire for deeper exploration of characters like Maya and Max. While the character designs are widely praised for their uniqueness and appeal, particularly with anime influences, the overall narrative and character growth are seen as underdeveloped, leaving players hoping for more substantial storytelling in future expansions. The game's focus seems to lean more towards engaging gameplay and aesthetics rather than intricate character arcs.
- “I loved the character design, the voice acting (although I may not understand it, the accent puts the world into setting). I hope that this project can expand into something greater, because this is the definition of a good example for an indie developed game: straight to the point with a beginning and a clear end.”
- “Amazing arts and character designs alongside the amazing gameplay makes me want to have more out of this short game.”
- “There's simple gunplay, interesting powers, story to expand, and character development to flesh out.”
- “There’s not much room for world background and character development, especially for Maya and Max.”
- “I personally like Maya’s cool-looking and hybrid outfit design; it somehow reminded me of the Honkai Impact vibe.”
- “The character design really reminds me of characters from Elsword, and it's what really made me play the game in the first place.”
replayability
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
40%
30%
Overall, the game's replayability is mixed; while some players find it infinitely replayable, others note significant limitations due to its short length and restrictive dialogue. Despite being free, many reviewers feel that the lack of varied content and the tutorial's constraints hinder replay value. A few players mention niche challenges, like zero damage runs, as potential reasons to revisit the game.
- “10/10 replayable”
- “+ great replay value.”
- “ infinitely replayable”
- “The game doesn't have any replayability, but it's also free, like actually free, not 'free'.”
- “There's a little replayability, but the dialogue kind of shoehorns you in the beginning, along with the tutorial, so there's only 2 chapters to play.”
- “It does lack replay value, and it's short, but it is free.”
grinding
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
11%
89%
Reviews indicate that the grinding aspect of the game, particularly during the final boss fight, is viewed as tedious and repetitive. Players express frustration with the lengthy nature of the battle, which lacks engaging combat mechanics and requires significant time investment for minimal progress. While some appreciate the challenge, many feel that the grinding detracts from the overall enjoyment of the game.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “The final boss was kind of neat at first, but it's just the most grindy kind of experience that's harmed by the combat being so lackluster.”
- “The long duration makes the fight feel a bit tedious when one mistake means you have to do it again from the beginning.”
- “I found the gameplay to be way too tedious and repetitive to be worth anybody's time.”
monetization
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
14%
15%
71%
The monetization aspect of the game has received mixed feedback, with some players appreciating the absence of in-game purchases in this free title, while others criticize the frequent ad interruptions that detract from the overall experience. Overall, players hope for improvements in ad implementation and a balanced approach to monetization.
- “I did really enjoy playing, and for a small free game with no in-game purchases, it's really good.”
- “Not good, not bad, not fun, just mediocre. It's one of those games that thinks throwing waves of ads at you is fun and makes the game more difficult. I'm not talking in the AAA area of games; Blood Spear is my favorite small team game, so I'm not expecting RDR2 here, but within the small indie area of games, this falls in the middle.”
- “I really hope not to see much in-game purchases at the moment.”
- “This game is nice for a short relax time, but one thing I don't like is that the bullet when aiming down sights (ADS) seems not correct at all. Hope the developers will fix that.”
humor
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is highlighted by amusing moments, such as the character's antics during the credits and the realization of defeating the boss incorrectly, which adds a layer of comedic charm. Overall, players find the game genuinely funny and entertaining.
- “It was funny to see him go back and forth after his defeat and during the credits though.”
- “Funny enough, it did make me realize that I defeated the boss the first time wrong.”
- “Very, very cool and made me laugh.”
emotional
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its touching character backstories, which add depth and soul to the experience, despite the overall theme being somewhat typical. Players express a strong emotional response, with moments of surprise and connection, such as the revelation about Maya's identity, evoking tears. While the gameplay is enjoyable, some feel it could benefit from further development to enhance its emotional impact.
- “The theme, although pretty typical, is fitting for the scenario, and the short character backstory is rather touching, giving this game that much more soul.”
- “I cried when Maya turned out to be a boy.”
atmosphere
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
100%
The game's atmosphere is generally praised for its immersive and delightful qualities, effectively engaging players throughout their experience. However, some critiques suggest that improvements are needed, particularly regarding the overall ambiance, despite the appealing art style.
- “The game's atmosphere is nothing short of delightful, creating an immersive world that draws players in from start to finish.”
- “Five dashes give you plenty of movement, the ability cooldowns are comfortable, and the art, though grey, creates a nice atmosphere.”
- “The game lacks a compelling atmosphere, making it hard to immerse myself in the experience.”
- “I found the atmosphere to be quite bland and uninspired, which detracted from the overall enjoyment.”
- “The environment feels empty and lifeless, failing to create the tension or mood that the game aims for.”