Until Dawn™

80%
Game Brain Score Based on 1,300 reviews
  • graphics
  • story
  • music
Until Dawn™ Game Cover
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"Until Dawn™" is a horror game where the player determines the fate of eight friends who return to a secluded lodge a year after two of their group disappeared. Rebuilt in Unreal Engine 5, the game features enhanced graphics, cinematography, and refined gameplay. The player's choices and decisions affect the story's outcome, creating a unique and immersive horror experience.

  • PC
  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

80%
Audience ScoreBased on 1,300 reviews
graphics168 positive mentions
optimization61 negative mentions
  • The game offers an amazing atmosphere and an engaging storyline, keeping players invested throughout.
  • Beautiful graphics and enhanced visuals, making the game visually stunning even on lower settings.
  • The remake includes new scenes and collectibles, adding depth to the story and characters.
  • The game suffers from numerous bugs and performance issues, including crashes and stuttering.
  • The removal of the original soundtrack, particularly the iconic 'O Death' song, has disappointed many fans.
  • The requirement to sign in to a PSN account for a single-player game has frustrated players.
  • graphics370 mentions

    The graphics of the remake have received widespread acclaim for their stunning visuals, detailed character models, and immersive environments, significantly enhancing the overall experience. Many players noted the impressive upgrades in lighting and textures, which contribute to a chilling atmosphere, although some reported performance issues and graphical glitches. Overall, while the graphics are a major highlight, the game's optimization and technical stability have been points of contention among users.

    • “The graphics are top-notch, and the facial animations are so good that you feel like you're watching an intense horror movie.”
    • “The graphics are stunning, and the voice acting really brings the story to life.”
    • “The game's visuals are simply breathtaking, with realistic character models, stunning environments, and atmospheric lighting.”
    • “This game sucks; the graphics make me feel like I'm playing the original 007 GoldenEye. For this game to come out in 2024 looking like this is just sad.”
    • “Game plagued with issues, graphical glitches, frame rate drops, freezing when entering new areas or upon picking up items or going into menus.”
    • “Many players complained about complete game crashes, distorted visuals, objects/characters and scenery having delayed loading times in cutscenes, and overall many other visual bugs that heavily impacted the immersion of gameplay.”
  • story358 mentions

    The story of "Until Dawn" is widely praised for its engaging narrative, rich character development, and the impactful "butterfly effect" mechanic, where player choices significantly alter the outcome. While some reviewers noted that the plot can lean on familiar horror tropes, the overall execution, atmosphere, and emotional depth keep players invested throughout the experience. The remaster retains the original's compelling storyline while adding minor enhancements, making it a must-play for fans of interactive horror storytelling.

    • “The story is engaging, packed with twists, and doesn't shy away from delivering some heart-pounding jump scares.”
    • “The remaster retains the original’s branching narrative and decision-based gameplay, where every choice significantly affects the story.”
    • “The story, gameplay, atmosphere was on point.”
    • “The story is kind of a cliche, so if you are adjusted to horror themes in games and films, you will not be surprised by the direction that the scenario took.”
    • “The story is not that impressive, and is very cliched and simplistic.”
    • “Once the novelty of the game’s decision-based system wears off, you’re left with a fairly generic teen horror plot that doesn’t stand out from countless other B-movie horror games.”
  • music283 mentions

    The music in the remake has received mixed reviews, with many players expressing disappointment over the removal of the iconic "O Death" song and the overall downgrade in soundtrack quality compared to the original. While some appreciate the new compositions and find them fitting, a significant number feel that the changes disrupt the game's atmosphere and tension, often describing the new music as generic or ill-suited for key moments. Overall, the consensus leans towards a preference for the original soundtrack, highlighting the impact of music on the game's emotional and immersive experience.

    • “Amazing game, amazing graphics, story, soundtracks, everything perfect.”
    • “The music is moody and foreboding; the graphics are solid, and the choices you make are impactful and feel like you are changing the story.”
    • “The updated soundtrack and cinematics are interesting and breathe new life into this game.”
    • “The original soundtrack is non-existent (yep, no iconic 'o death' song).”
    • “The soundtrack is new but not better, and removing 'oh death' is a sin by itself.”
    • “The music in this remake is a massive downgrade from the original release; great songs that matched the theme and setting have been replaced with generic music.”
  • optimization182 mentions

    The game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting significant performance issues such as stuttering, frame drops, and audio glitches, particularly on PC. While some users experienced smooth gameplay after patches, others found the game poorly optimized, especially during scene transitions and quick-time events. Overall, while the visuals are praised, the inconsistent performance and technical problems detract from the experience, leading many to recommend waiting for further updates or price drops before purchasing.

    • “The game runs smoothly on both consoles and PC.”
    • “While there were some minor stutters initially due to Unreal Engine 5, the recent update (1.05+) has significantly improved performance, making the experience much smoother.”
    • “I'm playing with a 4070 Ti, with full ray tracing and ultra settings, and performance has been great.”
    • “However, in the PC versions, there are several technical issues that may impact the user's experience such as frame stuttering, lagging, shader optimization from the start, and also crashing games despite the FPS reaching 100 and 120.”
    • “Extreme lag and stuttering make this game unplayable.”
    • “The original licensed music hit way different than this one; the poor optimization, game-breaking bugs, and ultimately the lack of value don't justify the retail price tag.”
  • gameplay115 mentions

    The gameplay of the remastered version is characterized by its focus on narrative-driven mechanics, including decision-making, exploration, and quick-time events (QTEs), which some players find engaging while others consider them dated. While the updated visuals and refined controls enhance the experience, technical issues such as bugs and performance drops have been reported, detracting from the overall immersion. The "butterfly effect" mechanic remains a highlight, allowing player choices to significantly impact the story, though the gameplay may feel restrictive for those seeking more traditional action elements.

    • “With updated visuals, refined gameplay mechanics, and some new features, it brings a chillingly immersive experience to both new players and returning fans.”
    • “The remaster retains the original’s branching narrative and decision-based gameplay, where every choice significantly affects the story.”
    • “Until Dawn offers a thrilling blend of horror and choice-based gameplay that immerses players in an intense, cinematic experience.”
    • “While the technical improvements are undeniable, the remaster doesn’t introduce significant new content, such as additional storylines, characters, or expanded gameplay elements.”
    • “Despite some tweaks, certain gameplay mechanics (like the quick-time events) feel a bit dated and could have used a more modern refresh.”
    • “However, the gameplay can feel restrictive for players accustomed to more open-world or action-oriented experiences.”
  • stability114 mentions

    The game's stability has received mixed feedback, with many players reporting a range of bugs and glitches, including graphical issues, frame rate drops, and crashes, particularly during menu navigation. While some users noted improvements after initial patches, the overall experience remains marred by these technical problems, leading to frustration and diminished immersion. Despite these issues, many players still find enjoyment in the game, suggesting that it may improve with future updates.

    • “But all things considered, I had a very smooth and bug-free experience.”
    • “Performance-wise, the game runs great.”
    • “Wasn't that buggy, maybe 3/10 on a bugginess scale.”
    • “Game plagued with issues, graphical glitches, frame rate drops, freezing when entering new areas or upon picking up items or going into menus.”
    • “Buggy unplayable mess, which is such a shame as the story and adventure holds up so well and as someone who preordered and was excited to finally play on PC, it just isn't worth it.”
    • “The game is buggy as hell, there were cut scenes with no audio, and sometimes the character models would load so late.”
  • atmosphere73 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its immersive and chilling qualities, enhanced by stunning visuals, dynamic lighting, and detailed sound design that effectively build tension and dread. However, some players express disappointment with changes from the original, particularly the loss of the distinctive bluish tint and fixed camera angles, which they feel diminished the overall eerie ambiance. Despite these critiques, many agree that the remake still delivers a captivating and cinematic experience, drawing players into its haunting world.

    • “The atmosphere is chilling, the visuals are stunning, and the wendigos add an unforgettable layer of terror.”
    • “From the moment you step into its world, you're gripped by the chilling atmosphere, jaw-dropping visuals, and a plot that will have you at the edge of your seat.”
    • “Until dawn doesn’t rely on cheap jump scares; instead, it builds a thick atmosphere of dread, keeping you on high alert throughout.”
    • “It's not a creepy atmosphere now; rather, it has a lighter tone and feels more 'simple.'”
    • “Some scenes have been remapped to the detriment of the atmosphere even more, and the game just overall feels way more lifeless, soulless, and unimpressive.”
    • “By changing the camera work to primarily be an over-the-shoulder third-person camera, the atmosphere and guidance of the game are severely changed.”
  • replayability29 mentions

    The game boasts high replayability, with multiple branching storylines and various outcomes that encourage players to explore different choices and scenarios. While some players may only engage with it once, many appreciate the ability to revisit chapters and experience new twists, making it a compelling choice for those who enjoy narrative-driven gameplay. Overall, the combination of engaging storytelling, diverse character paths, and stunning visuals contributes to its strong replay value.

    • “The branching storylines mean every playthrough can bring new twists and consequences, making the game highly replayable.”
    • “Overall, the game isn't too long but there is replayability with the ability to change who survives and who dies depending on the decisions you make.”
    • “The replayability is huge and the ease of being able to choose chapters to go back to without having to replay the game start to finish to redo some choices is great.”
    • “It might be worth playing once, but for a game that relies so much on replayability, it doesn't hold up after the first run-through.”
    • “The game does have replayability, but I tend to only play these games once and then go online and watch the rest of the deaths/possibilities/endings.”
    • “I probably will not play this game as much as the original unless future patches make the game more playable.”
  • humor16 mentions

    The humor in the game is characterized by its early 2010s charm and a mix of intentional and unintentional comedic moments, such as character model glitches and amusing audio bugs. Players find joy in the absurdity of the game's imperfections, like headless characters and mismatched facial expressions, which contribute to a lighthearted experience despite the overall lack of polish. The game's quirky elements and the community's reactions to its flaws add to its comedic appeal, making it a source of laughter for many players.

    • “I have adored this game and its early 2010's humor and awkward charm since I watched MatPat, Markiplier, and Jacksepticeye play it years ago.”
    • “I honestly burst out laughing when I saw the USB-C ports on the laptop in the first chunk of the game.”
    • “Yeah, the game is buggy, yeah the game has funny music, yeah ray-tracing doesn't work or something, but I love how stupid this game is so I like it and I don't care that it's apparently a bad game for these reasons; I'm gonna 100% the shit out of it.”
  • emotional7 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its lifelike character models and impactful decision-making, which enhance the psychological horror experience. However, some players feel that certain cutscenes and music choices detract from the overall immersion and emotional resonance, leading to mixed feelings about the game's ability to convey genuine emotional depth. Overall, while the game can evoke strong emotions, it also risks overwhelming players with distressing experiences.

    • “The character models are impressively lifelike, thanks to advanced motion capture technology, and the facial animations add to the realism of the characters’ expressions during tense or emotional moments.”
    • “Until Dawn is a perfect mix of psychological horror and emotional depth, making every decision feel personal and impactful.”
    • “The motion capture performances are as captivating as ever, bringing the characters to life in a way that's both believable and emotionally resonant.”
  • grinding6 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be excessively time-consuming and tedious, often requiring significant dedication to achieve completion. While some fans appreciate the challenge and are willing to invest the time for achievements, the slow pace of exploration can detract from the overall experience.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “Most of the time you are also not even running, so the exploration is a very slow and tedious process.”
    • “Not to mention my graphic preferences are reset every time I launch the game, which gets tedious.”
  • monetization3 mentions

    The monetization of the remake has been criticized as a cash grab, with users feeling that it rehashes the original game without sufficient improvements, leading to disappointment over its $60 price tag for a buggy and unoptimized experience.

    • “The original game is by far the best from the developer and it's a 10/10 for the genre, but the 'remake' feels more like a cash grab, selling us the same game again.”
    • “Please don't ruin this outstanding game with a half-baked sequel cash grab.”
    • “I really wanted to enjoy this as a fan of the genre and having seen very good things about the original game, but this is nothing less than a $60 buggy, unoptimized cash grab.”
  • character development2 mentions

    The game features exceptional character development, with engaging complexities between player choices and character growth that enhance the overall experience. Reviewers praise the characters and their development as integral to the captivating story and immersive world-building.

    • “Absolutely loved this game, great graphics, great characters and character development, amazing story, and fantastic world building.”
    • “Its complexities between choice and character development are both engaging and fun, and I recommend this game to everyone.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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Play time

9hMedian play time
8hAverage play time
8-10hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 5 analyzed playthroughs

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