Until Dawn PS5 review: Same same but different

• Until Dawn remake is a stunning visual overhaul that brings eerie locations to life.
• It has a rather tedious totem mechanism
• The game offers multiple endings, making it perfect for replayability.

When it comes to horror gaming, the sound effects and atmosphere matter most. These two elements undoubtedly have the power to make or break the game. In the recently released Until Dawn remake, the developers manage to create an atmosphere that leaves you on the edge of your seat.

The snow-capped forests, eerie background score, and gorgeous yet bone-chilling landscapes are all brought to life in the remake that was released for the PlayStation 5 recently.

I started playing the game on a Friday night and by Sunday, I had wrapped up the adventure. Until Dawn is a short and (not so) sweet ride, that can easily be played over a fun gaming weekend. The game, as mentioned already, is a remake of the original game that came out back in 2015.

Compared to the previous Until Dawn…

So, when you look at the game through the lens of somebody who has played the original, you will find that this is a massive visual upgrade. The game looks stunning and captures more details when compared to the original. However, it also has some hiccups.

The controls, for instance, still feel a bit wonky and there is no option for the characters to sprint. There will be times when you will want to pass by an area quickly but that just won’t be possible.

The story, is also exactly what we experienced years back and there are no changes there.

The gameplay too, remains the same. However, there is one difference - there is a redesigned process for finding totems. In Until Dawn, you could quickly flip a totem and see a vision of a character’s fate. Now, the interaction is more complex—you must move the totem in multiple directions before a light reveals the vision. This new method turns a once-simple task into a somewhat frustrating one, slowing down gameplay and adding needless complexity.

If you haven’t played the previous Until Dawn…

However, if you haven’t played the 2015 masterpiece, there’s a lot for you in store.

The game follows the story of a group of friends who reunite a year after a tragedy. Each one of them has their own characteristics, which keep changing based on the choices you make. The game has a butterfly effect - meaning every action will influence the ending. There are different endings that you can get hence if you feel you want to do things differently, you can easily try the game again.

The story is quite intriguing and moves at a fast pace at the beginning, gets slightly slow in the middle but eventually gains momentum. If you watch a lot of horror/thriller films, there might be a few elements that you can guess, but that doesn’t mean you’ll be losing out on anything.

The setting, as mentioned already, is quite eerie as well as fun if you enjoy a good scare. There are a couple of jump-scares as well and they are quite good. Despite the scare factor, the game features some gorgeous locations that are a visual treat.

The game features some amazing sound effects that will at times make you think that a jump scare is in store even if nothing happens.

Verdict

The Until Dawn remake offers an immersive horror experience with stunning visuals and a haunting atmosphere that will keep you on edge. The improved graphics breathe new life into the eerie landscapes, and the sound design adds an extra layer of suspense.

However, some aspects, like the clunky controls and the new, more tedious totem mechanic, might at times detract from the experience. While returning players may not find much novelty in the story or gameplay, newcomers will appreciate the chilling plot and multiple endings that offer replayability. Overall, it is a solid choice for a weekend horror binge.