Until Dawn

 PlayStation 4
  • Publisher: SCEA
  • Release Date: Aug 25, 2015
Metascore
79

Generally favorable reviews - based on 103 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 86 out of 103
  2. Mixed: 16 out of 103
  3. Negative: 1 out of 103
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  1. Ars Technica
    Dec 9, 2015
    Until Dawn is entertaining in all the ways it needs to be, even if it isn’t perfect in all the ways I’d like it to be. Try it, or wait for a discount.
  2. The A.V. Club
    Dec 8, 2015
    Unfortunately, the homage to horror films is at times too faithful, as Until Dawn also manages to replicate a lot of the genre’s worst habits.

Awards & Rankings

67
#67 Best PS4 Game of 2015
9
#9 Most Discussed PS4 Game of 2015
10
#10 Most Shared PS4 Game of 2015

User Reviews

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User Score
8.3

Generally favorable reviews- based on 3764 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3,056 out of 3764
  2. Mixed: 462 out of 3764
  3. Negative: 246 out of 3764
  1. jwewan
    Aug 25, 2015
    10
    One of the best Games on ps4.
    PROS:
    Simply amazing. The graphics are phenomenal and the gore and horror is brilliant. The actual game is    One of the best Games on ps4.
    PROS:
    Simply amazing. The graphics are phenomenal and the gore and horror is brilliant. The actual game is not about what you think. Also the butterfly effect is fantastic.
    CONS: Dr Hill I just don't understand his role?    … Full Review »
  2. PingasMobile
    Aug 25, 2015
    8
    A game with less interactivity doesn't make it inheritance worse than other games. Until Dawn represents this idea and executes this premiseA game with less interactivity doesn't make it inheritance worse than other games. Until Dawn represents this idea and executes this premise fairly well. Good horror games make the player feel rather powerless or near powerless. An easy way to do this is to make interactivity to a low so that the intrinsic moments are heightened and the player feels tension with the looming threat hovering around you. It's funny how the most criticized and sh*tposted aspect of this game, the lower level of interactivity, is actually the thing that teeters the game on the good side of horror games.

    As stated with almost all reviews, this game embraces all the horror cliches in the book. Some find this endearing, some find it lazy. What's clear is that the developers understand set cliches and pay homage to it. The execution of these shticks varies, some great and others that will make you shake your head...

    So it's a mixed bag of execution, but held together with a crux that makes it unique and compelling enough for admission.    … Full Review »
  3. bosconian87
    Aug 29, 2015
    10
    Of recent I have enjoyed Life is Strange and Everybody's Gone to the Rapture - two games of which use an extensive narrative viewpoint inOf recent I have enjoyed Life is Strange and Everybody's Gone to the Rapture - two games of which use an extensive narrative viewpoint in their own unique ways, coupled with varied elements of gameplay to stunning effect. It has been up to this point that I have wondered how would it turn out if such stunning effect were applied to a game in the horror genre (Life is Strange is largely fantasy, and Everybody's Gone to the Rapture is largely science fiction)? Until Dawn answers this question.

    In the game you follow a story that is pure classic horror, recalling such masters as Wes Craven, John Carpenter, Sean Cunningham, George A Romero and many more. The story sprawls between a number of main plot threads with you controlling a series of characters and partaking in decisions to situations that may not only have immediate ramifications, but may and will alter the outcome of the game as a total. Control of the characters is kept to a strict limit, with them effectively being a 'cursor' or 'guide' in the gameplay segments, solving simple puzzles and being involved in action sequences that use quicktime events.

    The presentation is outright stunning, the graphics detailing amazing facial reactions to the characters - a lot of the game is spent in conversation and if the graphics were not up to the task, it honestly would have suffered. Also of note are the lighting effects and the improvised 'camerawork' to action sequence and tense moments - someone's clearly done their homework and it shows, for this not only reveals an understanding of the horror genre, but in how movies work. If anything does suffer, its the occasional framerate stutter or slip, and its a (very) minor slip.

    Sound also excels with a stellar arrangement that whilst not providing any signature melodies, piles on the tension and pressure when it needs to. The voice acting is of a really high standard, and there's only an occasional bad dialogue (this is extremely rare).

    The gameplay has to rely on a combination of good plot and enough involvement to keep the player going, and thankfully it more than gives in this area. The plot sprawls and never fails to enthrall, whilst the execution of tense and action moments is beautifully executed. Then there's the added fact that the choices you make in the gameplay affect the game greatly - I'm on my second playthrough currently, and honestly there are a HUGE amount of differences in the plot.

    This of course will come down to your enjoyment of the genre, and how the game plays-out (it is effectively an interactive movie). For me, I loved the sheer offset nature of the whole game. On one hand, I am being led on a path in which I make choices to affect future actions, but on the other hand I am presented with a wide range of choices I have to make in order to try and keep everyone alive - and that also includes how I react and perform when I am asked to, with no exceptions if I get it wrong.

    A superb game that may not appeal to action junkies, but for veteran horror fans and anyone who enjoys the 'interactive movie' style of game, this is definately for you.    … Full Review »
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