Summary

Release Year: 2015
Genres: Adventure
Platforms: PlayStation 4
Developers: Supermassive Games
Publishers: Sony Computer Entertainment

Until Dawn: A Haunting Interactive Horror Masterpiece

Released in 2015, Until Dawn is an interactive drama survival horror video game developed by Supermassive Games and published by Sony Computer Entertainment. Originally scheduled for release on the PlayStation 3, the game was reintroduced as a PlayStation 4 exclusive in August 2014.

Until Dawn follows a group of eight friends who are invited to a remote mountain retreat for a weekend of fun. However, things quickly take a turn for the worse when they are stalked by a masked killer. Players must make difficult choices throughout the game, as their decisions will determine who lives and who dies.

The game is played from a third-person perspective and features a branching storyline that changes depending on the player’s choices. Players can explore the environment, interact with objects, and make dialogue choices that will affect the story’s progression. The game also features quick-time events, which require players to press buttons in a timely manner to avoid danger.

One of the most unique features of Until Dawn is its “Butterfly Effect” system. This system tracks all of the player’s choices, and even the smallest decision can have unforeseen consequences later in the game. For example, choosing to save one character over another may lead to that character being killed later on. The Butterfly Effect system makes it impossible to predict exactly what will happen in Until Dawn, and it encourages players to experiment with different choices to see how they affect the story.

Until Dawn has been praised for its visuals, choice mechanic, horror elements, music, voice acting, and gameplay design. The game has been compared to other interactive horror games such as Heavy Rain and Beyond: Two Souls, but it stands out with its own unique features and setting.

The Characters

The eight playable characters in Until Dawn are:

Jessica: The popular and outgoing leader of the group.
Matt: Jessica’s boyfriend and a star athlete.
Emily: A shy and artistic girl who is secretly in love with Matt.
Mike: A prankster and the joker of the group.
Ashley: A kind and caring girl who is afraid of the dark.
Chris: A responsible and intelligent boy who is secretly in love with Ashley.
Josh: The mysterious and brooding host of the weekend retreat.
Sam: Josh’s twin sister and a tomboy who is always up for a challenge.

Each of the characters has their own unique personality and backstory, and players will get to know them better as they progress through the game. The characters’ relationships with each other are also complex and dynamic, and players’ choices will affect how these relationships develop.

The Setting

Until Dawn is set in a remote mountain retreat called Blackwood Pines. The retreat is owned by the Washington family, and it has a dark and mysterious history. The retreat is said to be haunted by the ghosts of two children who were murdered there many years ago.

The setting of Until Dawn is both beautiful and terrifying. The towering mountains, dense forests, and secluded cabins create a sense of isolation and dread. The game’s atmosphere is further enhanced by the use of lighting and sound effects, which create a truly immersive experience.

The Gameplay

Until Dawn is played from a third-person perspective and features a branching storyline that changes depending on the player’s choices. Players can explore the environment, interact with objects, and make dialogue choices that will affect the story’s progression. The game also features quick-time events, which require players to press buttons in a timely manner to avoid danger.

The game’s controls are simple and easy to learn, and the gameplay is designed to be accessible to players of all skill levels. However, the game’s story is complex and challenging, and players will need to make difficult choices that will have lasting consequences.

The Horror

Until Dawn is a truly terrifying game. The game’s atmosphere is oppressive and unsettling, and the player is constantly on edge, waiting for something bad to happen. The game’s use of jump scares is effective, but it is the psychological horror that really sets Until Dawn apart from other horror games.

The game’s story is full of twists and turns, and the player is never quite sure what is going to happen next. The game’s characters are well-developed and relatable, and the player will feel genuinely invested in their survival. Until Dawn is a game that will stay with you long after you finish playing.

The Verdict

Until Dawn is a must-play for fans of interactive horror games. With its branching storyline, challenging choices, and terrifying atmosphere, it’s a game that will stay with you long after you finish playing. The game’s visuals, sound design, and voice acting are all top-notch, and the gameplay is both accessible and engaging. If you’re looking for a truly terrifying and immersive horror experience, then Until Dawn is the game for you.