Until Dawn PS5 review: A modern revival of a horror masterpiece

Until Dawn PS5 Review

Supermassive Games are fans of horror and each title explores subgenres to tell unique stories inspired by the big screen. A milestone in narrative and decision-based games, Until Dawn is widely considered his best work. Its star-studded cast, shocking decisions, and suffocating atmosphere resonated with players, making it a smash hit. Now, nine years later, Ballistic Moon remakes the classic, harnessing the power of Unreal Engine 5 and making subtle improvements to improve the experience. Will the update capture the magic of the original or will it crumble under the weight of its legacy?

Set in an isolated cabin in a mountainous region, you play as several friends, who reunite a year after a horrible tragedy in which twin sisters, Beth and Hannah, lost their lives. Joshm, the twins' brother, invites the group to find closure. The premise is conventional and the developers rely on it expertly, playing with clichés to offer surprises and scares throughout the adventure. Instead of relying on a single branch of horror, Until Dawn introduces several elements to create a tangled web of fear, combining psychological fear, supernatural horror, and slasher suspense.

The root of evil

Although the story remains faithful to the original, the prologue has had some new additions that help flesh out the tragedy from the beginning. Certain scenes have also been redesigned to add a contemporary feel to the game. This is accentuated through the new score that manages to take you on an emotional journey and elevates the experience.

There is a deliberate and methodical rhythm that helps draw you into the narrative. You begin to find comfort and bond with the characters through mundane tasks and interactions with others. Although the characters are archetypal, they are given time to develop and show layers of their personality that create a bond between you and each of them. While some have annoying traits, they all possess interesting qualities, whether due to their backstory or their relationships with others, which helps make each interaction insightful. Your choices influence these relationships and shape their outcomes. Meters in the menu will tell you about the affinity between characters, which will subtly alter responses in conversations. However, it is only small differences that contribute to the notion that every decision has an effect.

Like other titles in the genre, there are branching stories in which each character can survive or die. Because of this, scenes with mortal danger are intensified as your character's fate is literally in your hands. The game intelligently pinpoints and tracks key decisions so you know which significant moment has a lasting impact. Often these are not immediate; Sometimes, one choice can affect a later moment, creating a domino effect that alters the course of history in unexpected ways. This delayed consequence adds layers of tension and uncertainty, keeping you on edge as even minor decisions can lead to major, unforeseen outcomes.

Time is running out!

The quick-time events accompany the action sequences and are well executed, keeping you involved and engaged. Losing them can cause your character to stray off a path or, worse yet, find themselves in a dangerous situation. This adds to the anxiety-ridden adventure, making every moment an exciting nightmare.

The graphical overhaul gives new life to the monster. Unreal Engine 5 allows Ballistic Moon to include realistic lighting that emphasizes the mystery hidden in each shadow. Character models have had a huge improvement, looking much more realistic with natural animations, gestures and expressions. Plus, the injuries look even more gruesome and help amplify the horrible deaths you experience on this insane journey. The number of elements combine to create a cinematic experience that makes you feel like you are entering a terrifying and immersive horror movie.

Watching from the shadows

In the original, fixed camera angles added a surveillance quality to the game. In addition to channeling a convention from older horror games, it also allowed the developers to play with the cinematography to increase the scares. Although they are still present at times, the game opts for a more traditional third-person perspective. This helps improve moment-to-moment gameplay, as movement can be awkward from a fixed angle. In particular, this helps when searching the environment to collect totems, which are now found in new locations. There's also another new type of totem to collect that gives returning players more to discover.

The remake of Until Dawn stays true to the essence of the original while offering a much-needed modernization for today's gaming standards. The stunning graphical overhaul significantly increases realism, making the story more immersive and the horror more palpable. Improved camera angles refine gameplay and add a smoother experience during key moments. While returning players may find the updates limited in terms of new content, those discovering this horror classic for the first time will have an unforgettable experience.

***The publisher provided a PS5 code***