Until Dawn™

The graphics in the game have received widespread acclaim for their stunning visuals and significant improvements over the original release. Many players noted the impressive detail in character models and environments, enhanced by the use of Unreal Engine 5, which creates a more immersive atmosphere. However, some users experienced performance issues, including frame rate drops and graphical glitches, particularly when using high settings or ray tracing, suggesting that optimization remains a concern.

The music in the remake of "Until Dawn" has received mixed reviews, with many players expressing disappointment over the removal of the iconic "O' Death" song and other original tracks. While some appreciate the new soundtrack for its cinematic qualities, others feel it lacks the tension and atmosphere that the original music provided, often describing it as generic or ill-fitting for key scenes. Overall, the changes to the soundtrack have significantly impacted the game's emotional depth and horror elements, leading to a consensus that the original score was far superior.

The optimization of the game has received overwhelmingly negative feedback, with many players reporting severe performance issues such as stuttering, frame drops, and crashes, particularly on PC. While some users experienced acceptable performance, the general consensus is that the game is poorly optimized, especially for a title released at a premium price point, leading to frustration among players. Despite occasional patches improving performance, significant optimization problems remain, making it difficult for many to fully enjoy the experience.

The gameplay of "Until Dawn" is primarily focused on narrative-driven experiences, featuring exploration, decision-making, and quick-time events (QTEs) that significantly impact the story through its butterfly effect mechanic. While many players appreciate the engaging story and character development, criticisms arise regarding the gameplay's reliance on QTEs, occasional lag, and technical issues that can detract from immersion. Overall, the game offers a unique blend of horror and interactive storytelling, though some find the mechanics to be somewhat dated and lacking in depth.

The stability of the game has been widely criticized, with numerous players reporting frequent glitches, crashes, and performance issues, particularly in the PC port. While some users noted improvements after patches, many still experienced significant bugs that detracted from the overall experience, including freezing during gameplay and visual glitches. Overall, the game is described as a "buggy mess," with many recommending potential players to wait for further updates before purchasing.

The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its chilling and immersive qualities, enhanced by stunning graphics, effective sound design, and a strong narrative that keeps players on edge. Many reviewers highlight the tension and eerie environments, although some express disappointment with the remake's loss of the original's unique atmosphere and soundtrack. Overall, the game excels in creating a captivating horror experience, though opinions vary on how well it compares to its predecessor.

The game boasts high replayability due to its branching narrative and the "butterfly effect" system, which allows players to experience different outcomes based on their choices. Many reviewers highlight the engaging story, multiple endings, and the opportunity to unlock achievements as key factors that enhance replay value. However, some players note that the game may lose its appeal after the initial playthrough, despite the various paths available.

The humor in the game is a mix of campy, cringe, and self-referential jokes, often revolving around teenage antics and horror tropes, which some players find endearing and nostalgic. While the humor can be hit-or-miss, with moments that elicit laughter and eye rolls alike, it contributes to the game's charm, making it a fun experience despite its flaws. Players appreciate the quirky character interactions and the absurdity of certain situations, which add to the overall comedic tone of the game.

The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its gripping storytelling and the impactful choices players make, which can lead to genuine feelings of guilt and loss. While many players appreciate the depth and complexity of the characters, some express frustration with the emotional disconnect in certain interactions and the overall narrative. The game effectively creates a rollercoaster of emotions, with moments of tension and heartbreak that resonate deeply, though not all players find the emotional engagement consistent throughout.

Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and time-consuming, often noting the slow character movement and lack of a running option as significant drawbacks. Achieving 100% completion is described as a daunting task, requiring considerable effort and time, especially with the added challenge of a cumbersome camera system. Despite these frustrations, some dedicated fans still enjoy the grind for achievements, indicating a mixed reception overall.

Character development in the game receives mixed reviews, with some players praising it as impactful and engaging, particularly highlighting the character Mike's growth. However, others criticize it as shallow and predictable, suggesting that while some characters evolve throughout the story, the overall narrative lacks depth. Overall, the quality of character development seems to vary significantly among players' experiences.

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.