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It’s been almost ten years since Until Dawn hit PS4, releasing to critical acclaim and now it’s back in the form of a fully fledged remake. Is it worth picking up again or should the original have stayed up on the mountain?
Still A Modern Classic
I can still remember to this day the moment I knew Until Dawn was going to be a special game. Back in August 2015, the game released to virtually no expectations, including from myself. However, something about the trailers intrigued me, so I gave it a go. Instantly, I fell in love with the cast of characters and the setting and how perfect developers Supermassive Games had managed to create the ultimate teen survival horror game. I remember playing as my two closest friends watched, and we all loved it so much we really wanted to see its conclusion. So when Sony announced a remake of the game, (this time developed by Ballistic Moon) I was ecstatic but also cautious that a game I loved so much could be tainted. Thankfully, my fears were not realised. Remade in Unreal Engine 5, this remake is still the classic tale I loved so much but now with added extras that help propel the story to even bigger heights.
The core of the wonderful story remains with the tale of eight friends returning to the Blackwood Mountain one year after losing two sisters in the group to tragic events. The friends believe they are going to remember and celebrate the lives of these two, but twisted events lead to the group fighting for their lives on the mountain. From minute one, this story is gripping and thrilling, whilst also offering much needed comic relief when you least expect it. If you haven’t played the original, now is the perfect time with this remake, but for fans of the original like myself, it’s the little things Ballistic Moon have added that will capture your imagination. The new developers (founded by former Supermassive Developers) have reworked the prologue to superb results, creating more context and more heartbreak for the player as it truly makes the losses of the sisters so much more traumatic. I expected the game to purely be a carbon copy, but along with the reworked prologue, there are added scenes with the therapist which again help add weight and context to the story. Along with new music during cutscenes and with a new ending for Josh added (FINALLY), it makes the game feel complete and perfect. Without giving spoilers, the added post credit scene which is surely teasing a sequel, makes me excited beyond words. This tale of friends dealing with the horrors of the mountain is best experienced with as little knowledge as possible and for fans of the original like myself, this is now the definitive version of the beloved tale. Pure perfection.
Polished And Preserved
The original Until Dawn was Supermassive Games’ first foray into the survival horror genre and now they have created the superb Dark Pictures series of games. In many ways, Until Dawn remains their finest work, even in the gameplay department. Now in the hands of Ballistic Moon, the core gameplay remains the same with it being told from a third person over the shoulder perspective. Gone are the fixed camera angles, replaced by the pure over the shoulder view which really helps accentuate the horror and nail biting tension. Gameplay will always be second best to narrative in this type of game but Until Dawn still manages to create nail biting moments. Great use of quick time events, dialogue options and the fantastic stay still mechanic all return to only exacerbate the desperation and tension the characters feel. I truly think the original is the pioneer of this genre which is now popular. It is certainly not for everyone but it remains the most polished and responsive narrative horror game available.
Ballistic Moon have also innovated and added to the original, in particular making use of the adaptive triggers from the PS5 controller. Clicking the triggers to make a choice in a climatic moment really made me feel tense and much like the opening of the game states, every choice you make matters. The developers could have just ported the game to current consoles but you can really tell they care about the original. Along with the updates to controls, there are added collectibles to be found which are mainly for long time fans as they are little nods to the original but they are greatly appreciated. Investigating areas and items for clues and context to the story remains one of my favourite aspects of the game. The butterfly affect system remains intact and reminds the player that when making a choice, this could lead to dire consequences. Great accessibility options help round out a superb effort in making this game feel as fresh as possible whilst retaining the original’s gameplay style.
Presentational Ups And Downs
Story and gameplay have been near perfect for me in this remake but unfortunately the visual presentation is a mixed bag. Graphically speaking, this game looks gorgeous in UE5 with characters’ facial expressions and emotions on display for everyone to see in stunning fashion. Lighting remains industry leading for horror titles and really is something to behold. The problem I have with the visuals is mainly down to the framerate and the issues plaguing it. It’s a tough sell for fans when the original game still looks fantastic and runs at a silky smooth 60fps but this remake (inexplicably priced at 60 pounds) suffers from dramatic lapses at times and can really take you out of the moment. Hopefully this can be ironed out by the developers, as, apart from that, the game is still a beautiful game to behold. Small touches like the reworked totems look amazing when light bursts out of the cracks. It’s just a shame how bad the framerate can be at times.
Conversely, the sound design and soundtrack once again reach exquisite levels. The voice acting from the original cast returns, with wonderful performances which include Rami Malek and Hayden Panettiere. Each character truly feels alive thanks to the voice acting which remains superb. Along with the acting, is a great sound design that heightens tension at every moment, with blood curdling screams echoing through halls and doors slamming behind you, creating jump scare moments. The addition of alternate renditions of popular songs is also a wonderful touch, such as ‘In For The Kill’ playing in the prologue which is a personal favourite of mine. Music remains low and brooding in Until Dawn but when it roars it really helps create cinematic moments. A great effort in sound design and score.
Verdict
Until Dawn is one of my favourite games of all time and thankfully Ballistic Moon have managed to craft a remake that keeps everything I love so dearly about the original. Great story additions add to an already brilliant horror tale, whilst small but impactful gameplay additions help keep the game fresh. Stunning visuals and voice work remain, along with strong sound design and score. It’s just a shame framerate issues take away from overall presentation and a truly baffling decision by Sony to price this game as a full price AAA game will stop old and new players from enjoying this seminal tale. But for me, this remains the king of narrative horror. See you at dawn!
