As a long-time fan of horror games, I must say I am positively thrilled about this remake of Until Dawn! It’s not every day that a beloved classic gets a modern upgrade while staying true to its roots. Having grown up with these characters, it brings me immense joy to see them return, now more lifelike than ever before.
The latest game from Sony, “Until Dawn,” is now available on both PS5 and PC, breaking its exclusivity. October, a month known for horror, seems like the perfect time to release this title. Although branching narrative games are common now, when “Until Dawn” was first released in 2015, it showcased how high-quality production and meaningful decision-making can elevate the genre. Initially, I questioned the need for a remake of a game that was already well-received. However, upon closer inspection, the updates significantly enhance the original experience in intriguing ways. “Until Dawn” is not merely receiving a graphical upgrade; the addition of a dynamic third-person camera, new collectibles, and reworked cinematics transform it into a game that can rightfully be called a full remake.
Before diving into the enhancements and variations between the much-loved original and the upcoming PS5/PC remake, let’s take a moment to recall what made “Until Dawn” so captivating. If you enjoy horror movies such as “Cabin in the Woods,” you’ll find yourself immediately drawn to “Until Dawn”‘s premise and setting. The narrative revolves around eight teenagers who find themselves trapped in a chilling series of events while vacationing at a picturesque resort in the Blackwood Mountains. Your objective is to keep as many characters alive until the end, but beware, if your decision-making skills are lacking, you may end up losing all eight characters. The gameplay consists of quick-time events, narrative choices, and immersive exploration, with the remake improving upon this by offering a fully controllable over-the-shoulder camera during exploration. Now, let’s delve into the numerous updates that the PC/PS5 remake will introduce on October 4th.
At Ballistic Moon, they went above and beyond to avoid a simple PC port of the game. From the very start, it’s evident that new scenes have been added, which were absent in the original prologue. These additions offer valuable insights into the Washington family, and subtly flesh out the storyline by providing additional context and details. Although the team claims that the story remains unchanged, there are unexpected shifts in how certain scenes are filmed and presented, enhancing this remake’s narrative depth compared to its predecessor.
Regarding the update on camera functionality, it’s been significantly improved so that you can freely maneuver the camera around the character, adopting an over-the-shoulder viewpoint – a feature absent in the original Until Dawn, which resembled the stationary cameras found in classic PS2 horror games. With this newfound control, we’re excited to delve into the chilling surroundings of Blackwood Mountain and its cabin, discovering every spooky corner at our leisure.
With the introduction of a movable camera, an array of fresh collectibles has been hidden across the landscapes. The novel Hunger Totems serve as collectibles, offering players glimpses into potential character demises or intriguing surprises. Previously discovered totem collectibles also resurface but are secreted in entirely different locations. Given the ability to maneuver the camera freely, it’s no wonder the development team completely reorganized all collectibles for a more immersive experience. I, too, am excited about this new treasure hunt made possible by the movable camera and the chance to explore previously unseen corners within the Blackwood Mountains that were once obscured by the old game’s stationary camera.
The game Until Dawn, which stood out on the PS4 in 2015, was powered by Guerrilla Games’ flexible Decima engine. This title, a cult classic in horror gaming, brought about a graphical revolution in branching narrative horror games. In 2024, the remake of Until Dawn is set to advance everything from scratch. Indeed, the remake has decided to part ways with the reliable Decima engine and opt for Unreal Engine 5 instead. The change brings about the kind of results one would expect. From the trailers we’ve seen, shadows appear more lifelike on surfaces and the light from the moon and characters’ flashlights contribute to a much more immersive atmosphere compared to its original version on PS4.
Instead of merely reviving the game, they’ve significantly updated the characters and settings too. This version is more detailed, allowing you to see pores and dewdrops on the characters’ faces, and the lush vegetation appears denser. I’m relieved that they maintained the original character designs while also improving textures and emotional depth. It’s common for companies to change a beloved design in remakes, but in Until Dawn, every character looks just as they did before, only with better resolution and emotional subtleties.
The animations give these characters a remarkable sense of realism, and they’ve been refined and upgraded in this version. According to the PlayStation Blog post, advanced pre-rendering techniques are being used to make the death scenes as graphically intense as possible. This remake won’t hold back on the gore; Unreal Engine 5, you’re doing a fantastic job of making us squeamish! Before our unsuspecting characters meet their grisly end, they’ll sport wounds and bruises that develop throughout the story thanks to the enhanced injury system incorporated in the remake.
As a gamer, I can’t wait to dive into the chilling world of Until Dawn with the enhanced DualSense control! The tactile feedback and adaptive triggers will make me feel the characters’ heart-pounding moments, from the creepy creaks to the sudden jump scares. The controller’s haptic feedback will simulate the weighted vibrations of the characters’ racing hearts, making the gameplay that much more immersive. Plus, I can envision myself carefully opening a door while the triggers offer resistance with subtle weighted feedback. And let me tell you, those jump scares are going to be intense thanks to the powerful rumble in the DualSense controller – so brace yourself for some startling surprises if you play it in the dark!
If you prefer a less hectic gaming experience and want to avoid sections where you need to stop moving the controller suddenly, this remake offers numerous accessibility options. Notably, there’s a new feature called Don’t Panic! which serves as an alternative to the ‘Don’t Move!’ moments in the game. This feature is designed for controllers without gyroscopes, but it can also be enabled for a more relaxed gaming experience overall.
The main difference in this updated version lies in the freshly composed soundtrack, as the previous composer, Jason Graves, has been replaced by Mark Korven. Graves’ original soundtrack beautifully captured the atmosphere of Cabin in the Woods, so it’s intriguing to see how Korven’s new score will enhance the overall experience with added depth and suspense. However, some fans might find this decision to replace the entire soundtrack disappointing. I’m hoping there will be an option to play the original soundtrack within the game, and it won’t become a paid DLC at a later date. If the original soundtrack is completely removed, the new score must truly excel to match Graves’ exceptional work.
As a devoted fan, I must say there’s one clear advantage that the reworked soundtrack offers us: Ballistic Moon has truly delivered a complete overhaul rather than a casual update. Composing an entirely fresh score is no small feat, and the addition of a controllable over-the-shoulder camera significantly alters the gameplay experience and perspective in innovative ways. For those revisiting the chilling landscape of Blackwood Mountain, there’s a wealth of new content to uncover. And for those who missed out on this classic due to being on PlayStation consoles, they now have the chance to immerse themselves in it with a brand-new coat of Unreal Engine 5 paint, boasting improved accessibility features and modern upgrades. Even though Until Dawn is nine years old at this point, Supermassive’s interactive narrative style has proven its worth for nearly a decade. However, the masterpiece that is Until Dawn still deserves a fresh audience to appreciate it in all its glory.
Please take note: The opinions stated within this article belong solely to the writer and may not reflect the perspectives of GamingBolt as a whole.
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2024-09-18 18:41