Until Dawn Review (PlayStation 5 & PC)

Until Dawn is back with a vengeance, making its way into the next-gen spotlight on PlayStation 5 and PC. Nearly a decade since its 2015 debut, the game is ready to haunt a new wave of players. This interactive horror classic still packs a punch in the world of slasher-inspired, narrative-driven games. This review will break down every detail to see whether the remake lives up to the original’s legacy. The main entry received massive positive feedback. However, it fell short in some aspects, like character creativity. Such a challenge has made the game’s fans hope for a turnabout improvement in the features. Now that the remake is here, we can answer whether the title meets our expectations. Can it truly deliver the same gut-wrenching moments of terror that kept us glued to our screens almost ten years ago? And most importantly, does it live up to the high standards we now expect from modern remakes? Lots of questions, huh? Let’s review the Until Dawn game to get the answers to these questions and more.

Does it Still Hold Up?

After its launch in 2015, it brought a fresh twist to the genre, offering a truly unique, narrative-driven experience. One main attraction was its inclusion of an MMO system allowing players to control eight characters, each trying to survive a night of terror. Its brilliant use of the butterfly effect, which meant that every gamer’s decision would affect the game’s output, made it stand out in the past and still does today. No matter how insignificant it may seem, every decision could quickly spiral into life-or-death situations for the characters. No pressure, right?

Fast forward to 2024, and the remake stays true to its roots. Players still face intense decisions; each action or inaction can lead to drastically different outcomes. The game puts you in the director’s chair of your teen slasher, letting you guide the chaos. Things get messy and fast, and the pressure to make the right call is real. One wrong move and your characters’ fates take a dark turn.

That said, not everything has aged gracefully. The core gameplay remains solid, but some elements, like the dialogue, feel a bit cringe. The writing can come off as outdated, and if you’re a seasoned horror fan, a few plot twists might seem predictable. However, if you’re new to Until Dawn or simply love a nostalgic throwback, there’s no doubt it still delivers plenty of scares and thrills.

Still a Nightmare

Until Dawn puts you in control of a nightmare, perfect for horror fans. Its story follows a group of friends reuniting at a remote mountain lodge a year after a tragic accident. What starts as a fun night quickly turns into a terrifying struggle for survival as mysterious events unfold and sinister forces close in.

The game embraces classic horror vibes, creepy cabins, masked killers, and eerie forests. While the plot can feel predictable, especially for slasher fans, the branching narrative adds depth. Your decisions determine who lives, who dies, and how the story unfolds, offering multiple possible endings.

Now, the remake introduces new story content, including a reworked prologue. This change gives Hannah and Beth more screen time. The added context strengthens their backstory, making the early events of the game more emotionally impactful. It provides a clearer understanding of the group dynamics before the chaos begins.

Another new feature is the “Hunger totems,” which hint at future outcomes based on your choices. These totems add tension, encouraging you to think carefully before making decisions. However, interacting with the totems now takes longer, which may sometimes feel slow. Overall, the new content doesn’t overhaul the story but enriches the experience, especially for newcomers.

Stunning but…

Let’s talk graphics because, let’s face it, one of the biggest reasons we buy remakes is for those sweet, sweet visuals. The Until Dawn remake fully delivers in this department. Thanks to the power of Unreal Engine 5, character models look more lifelike than ever. You can almost feel the fear in their eyes when it’s working properly, at least. 

The lighting? Absolutely on point. Whether you’re creeping through shadowy forests or cautiously exploring eerie cabins, the atmosphere is thick with tension. You’ll double-check dark corners and peek over your shoulder in no time.

But, as with all things, it’s not perfect. This upgrade comes with a few hiccups along the way. The game struggles at times to maintain a smooth frame rate. That happens mainly on the PS5, where dips below 30 fps can pull you right out of the experience. Even with the character model enhancements, some of the facial animations still feel, well, a little off. Imagine someone screaming in terror, but their face stays oddly serene. It’s a mood killer!

That said, if this is your first run through Until Dawn or if you can look past the occasional performance stumbles, the game’s visuals are still a treat. The spooky environments are so well-crafted they’ll have you questioning whether you’re truly alone. For a horror game, atmosphere is everything, and this remake nails it. But fair warning: don’t expect everything to run perfectly at all times.

Stuck in the Past but Still Thrilling

When it comes to gameplay, Until Dawn has always focused on making you feel the weight of your choices. The idea hasn’t changed in the remake, and honestly, that’s a good thing. The tension that builds from every decision you make, knowing it could lead to life-or-death consequences for the characters, makes the game so compelling. Whether it’s choosing who gets the flashlight or how to react in a dangerous situation, these moments keep you on edge from start to finish.

There are some cool updates in this version, too. The PS5’s DualSense controller adds a lot to the experience. The haptic feedback lets you feel every creak of a door. Similarly, the adaptive triggers give a sense of resistance in high-pressure situations. It’s not a complete game-changer, but it does make the experience more immersive and modern.

Of course, not everything is perfect. The controls still feel a bit clunky, just like in the original. Maneuvering characters in tight spaces can be awkward. Furthermore, moving during those tense moments when trying to avoid danger can be frustrating. We’ve all been there, yelling at the screen as your character seems slow when you need them to move fast.

While these issues aren’t deal-breakers, they’re worth noting. The core gameplay loop is still enjoyable, especially for fans of narrative-driven games. The narrative-heavy approach, paired with the suspenseful decision-making and QTEs, keeps you hooked.

Wallet Slasher

One of the most debated aspects of the Until Dawn remake is its hefty price tag. At nearly three times the original cost, it’s causing many fans to pause before hitting the “buy” button. The lack of an upgrade path for those already owning the original game is a tough pill to swallow. Of course, the remake boasts improved visuals and some gameplay tweaks. The question remains: does it offer enough new content to justify such a steep price?

The graphical upgrades are undoubtedly impressive. The game feels more polished and engaging with enhanced character models, better lighting, and the immersive touch of the PS5’s DualSense controller. However, these updates don’t drastically change the core experience. For players who have already gone through Until Dawn, the lack of substantial new content may leave them wondering if these visual and mechanical enhancements are enough to justify the price.

Ultimately, whether or not the remake is worth it depends on how much you love the game. The remake might feel like a worthwhile investment for die-hard fans or newcomers who missed out on the original. However, waiting for a discount or sale may be the better option for those looking to revisit the game for nostalgia. The experience is still fantastic, but the price tag might be the real horror.

Verdict

The Until Dawn remake undeniably brings back all the thrills and chills that made the original a modern horror classic. Its tense atmosphere, branching narrative, and life-or-death decision-making create a gripping experience that keeps you on edge. The visual enhancements and DualSense integration on the PS5 add a layer of immersion that new players will appreciate. 

However, as a remake, it falls a bit short of what fans might expect, especially considering the original game’s legacy. While the graphical improvements are impressive, they don’t bring significant innovations to gameplay. The core mechanics and story remain unchanged, leaving returning players with a sense of déjà vu. For a nearly decade-old game, the remake doesn’t push enough boundaries to feel like a fresh take. It feels more like a polished update.

In conclusion, Until Dawn remains a fantastic horror game. However, as a remake, it doesn’t quite do enough to set itself apart from the original. The game needs to up its innovation and add more substantial content to stand out as a next-gen experience. For newcomers, it’s a must-play. But for longtime fans, the improvements may not fully justify diving back in at full price.