- May 19, 2025
- Jesse Makkonen
Without a Dawn
Platforms
About
Without a Dawn is a dark, psychological, and philosophical visual horror novel featuring a hauntingly beautiful pseudo-ASCII art developed by award-winning Finnish solo developer Jesse Makkonen (DISTRAINT -series, Afterdream, Heal).

- The game features stunning ASCII art and exceptional sound design that create an immersive and atmospheric experience.
- Without a Dawn offers a deeply introspective narrative that resonates with players, particularly those who have experienced anxiety or mental health struggles.
- The game is a unique artistic expression, blending visual novel elements with psychological horror, making it a memorable and thought-provoking experience.
- The gameplay is very linear, with choices that often feel illusory and do not significantly impact the outcome, leading to a sense of frustration.
- The game is quite short, lasting around an hour, which may leave some players wanting more content and depth.
- The dark themes and content warnings may not be suitable for all players, particularly those sensitive to topics related to mental health and self-harm.
- story88 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
The game's story is a short yet gripping psychological horror narrative that explores themes of trauma, anxiety, and self-doubt, effectively immersing players in a tense atmosphere. While the linear gameplay limits meaningful choices, the writing and art create a haunting experience that resonates deeply, prompting players to reflect on its abstract and thought-provoking elements. Overall, it is praised for its emotional impact and unique storytelling, despite some critiques regarding its brevity and lack of interactivity.
“A very atmospheric psychological horror story with eerie vibes, great art and audio design.”
“When a game literally makes you stop to double check that you actually locked your real life door, because you are so immersed in the protagonist's paranoia and anxiety, then you know it's effective storytelling.”
“This was a great, short, thought-provoking story-driven experience.”
“You'll mostly click through dialogue options until you're locked into choosing the option that will progress the story; there is one slight puzzle, but I didn't find it terribly challenging.”
“You are constantly railroaded into what the story wants.”
“It initially gives the impression of your choices having weight (and potential for encountering multiple endings) but the game makes it clear it wants you to pick certain answers and if you don't the story will not progress.”