As someone who’s spent countless hours navigating the eerie corridors of horror games, I can confidently say that the remake of Until Dawn has truly sent shivers down my spine. It’s like stepping back into the shoes of a teen slasher movie protagonist, but with modern mechanics and visuals that make every heart-pounding moment feel even more intense.
Initially released in 2015, “Until Dawn” was a stunning surprise coming from an unrecognized studio at the time. This horror adventure game garnered widespread acclaim due to its teen horror camp vibe, its ability to create real fear, its innovative choice and consequence mechanics, the impressive acting of its A-list cast, and more. In the following eight years, developer Supermassive Games has created several similar interactive horror adventure games such as “The Quarry” and “The Dark Pictures Anthology”. However, despite their varying successes, none have quite matched the heights achieved with the game that sparked it all.
After nine years, Sony has resurrected the game “Until Dawn” with a remake developed by Ballistic Moon from the UK. Some may wonder if a remake was necessary for a game that seems not to have aged significantly. However, after playing it over a few sessions, I can confidently say I’ve enjoyed this updated version. For the most part, it’s a highly accurate reproduction of the original (with a slightly revised prologue and some new ending content that hints at intriguing possibilities for the future). The question will undoubtedly arise as to whether a remake was actually necessary, particularly since it is priced at $60. Nevertheless, if you’re a fan of the original eager to experience an improved and (arguably) more visually appealing version, or someone who missed out on the original and wants to play it on contemporary hardware, this remake becomes a much more straightforward recommendation.
There might be doubts whether this remake was essential, considering its $60 price tag. But if you’re an admirer of the original seeking a more advanced and visually improved version, or someone new to the game who wants to experience it on contemporary equipment, the remake becomes a more straightforward suggestion.
Let’s start by covering the fundamentals. The game Until Dawn gained popularity due to its teen horror and slasher film-style atmosphere, as well as its strong emphasis on player decision-making. The core gameplay is largely based on Quick Time Events (QTEs) and minimal environmental interaction. These elements are largely preserved in the remake. The slasher horror setting remains effective, thanks to how skillfully the game maintains suspense, offering everything from jump scares to genuinely scary or tense moments and scenarios. To avoid spoilers for new players, I’ll only say that Until Dawn does an excellent job of creating tension and delivering legitimate scares and intense set-pieces when needed.
In the thrilling remake of Until Dawn, the enigmatic horrors haunting the primary characters persist as a dominant theme throughout the game. However, not every aspect of the storyline delivers as intended, ranging from passable to downright cringe-worthy dialogue that might make your ears ache. The game remains faithful to the original script and narrative, but this also means it carries over some flaws, such as underdeveloped or poorly written characters who I found myself wishing an untimely demise upon. Regrettably, there were more than a few characters in Until Dawn that were intentionally crafted this way, but unfortunately, these weren’t the only ones that left me disliking them intensely. Despite my enthusiasm for Until Dawn’s horror elements, due to its effective execution, the teen drama aspects of the game often became irritating instead.
The appeal of the decision-making system and its outcomes in Until Dawn remains captivating. This game has always been impressive at highlighting the impact of player decisions, making every action, inaction, mistake, and more feel meaningful within the narrative. This is a key strength that carries over to the remake without fail. From the evidence you gather or overlook, to the instant decisions you’re required to make in tense situations, to the choices you make in character interactions, Until Dawn ensures its story unfolds differently based on your actions, both major and minor. It does this by continually responding to your input and ensuring you’re always aware that the narrative is reacting to you.
The game excels at creating suspense, often delivering genuine frights and nerve-wracking situations.
The revamped version incorporates certain unique elements and alterations while largely staying true to its origin. One significant modification is the adoption of a third-person camera perspective, enabling players more control over the camera during specific scenes. This, combined with the original’s fixed cameras, creates a striking effect that modernizes the gameplay experience and enhances its cinematic feel. Moreover, new totems have been added to discover, some minor environmental changes for increased exploration, and various accessibility options to customize Quick Time Event prompts. Existing totems have also been repositioned in the remake.
As a gaming enthusiast, I’ve got to say, the remake of Until Dawn has left me genuinely impressed on both visual and technical aspects. Whereas the original was engineered using Decima Engine, this remake is a complete overhaul, built upon the powerful Unreal Engine 5. This switch brings about enhanced facial models and animations, richer environment details, more realistic gore and snow effects, new lighting, and much more.
To clarify, just because there might not be fundamental problems with it, doesn’t mean that “Until Dawn” is without technical hiccups. There are a few issues worth mentioning, such as the frame rate which can unexpectedly become choppy at times, even during less demanding scenes. This issue occurs more frequently than desired. Furthermore, I’ve encountered some animation bugs, like characters moving strangely in certain gameplay sections and occasional choppiness in cutscenes. These problems aren’t severe, but they are noticeable enough to warrant attention, and hopefully, they will be resolved with an update soon.
As a passionate admirer myself, I can confidently say that the remake of Until Dawn is an absolute must-play for both longtime fans eager for more and newcomers who’ve been waiting to dive in. It doesn’t disappoint!
In essence, the main debate revolves around whether Sony and Ballistic Moon’s remake of Until Dawn justifies its cost, as some find it a tad expensive upon its launch. Similarly, there are doubts about whether this remake was necessary at all, echoing similar sentiments that surfaced with The Last of Us Part 1 not long ago. However, while these criticisms hold merit, one cannot deny that this remake significantly improves an already great game. Naturally, it will be challenging to convince many, but for enthusiasts yearning for another playthrough or newcomers eager to experience the original, the Until Dawn remake is definitely a worthwhile investment of your time.
This game was reviewed on the PlayStation 5.
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2024-10-07 08:41