Gameplay
Graphics
Sound/music
Controls
Replay value

The world of horror has been somewhat filled to the brim with very similar experiences in recent years. A large part of this has been due to the outrageous earnings the Saw franchise brought in (+$873 Million Dollars to date). Thus the flood of money and interest into a new sub-genre classified as “torture porn” was born. In the years and sequels to follow many horror purists became disassociated with the genre. I would say mostly due to the lack of focus on actual horror and suspense that had hooked them prior to this new generation.

With that being touched on let’s look at why I gave that brief nod to the Saw franchise. Saw was a “game changer” in the sense that it turned the tide in ways that were sorely needed, just as Until Dawn does. Until Dawn is a third-person horror title that pretty much turns the tide of the current horror genre in gaming. This is not to say that horror has needed a change in gaming. In fact, horror has been a literal hotbed in terms of experiences and interactive scares. What Until Dawn introduces to the genre is unadulterated detail, voice acting, level of choice and raw intelligence in the way it weaves between the familiar and the startling.

Her bad day is just about to get even worse.

The first area I would like to touch on is maybe the most surprising part of the experience, The GAMEPLAY. In Until Dawn the player is in control of almost every character at one point or another giving a very interesting outlook on each. The developer (Supermassive Games) has not chosen to place one character as the “main” and the game benefits from it. From the beginning, the player’s thoughts and opinions on each character are challenged by having you to (literally) walk a mile in their shoes. A hated character can become a hero. A loved character can become a self-centered coward, all based on the flick of the stick or a click of a button during a tough choice.

The motion controls add to the overall feeling of helplessness when it comes to tense moments. Having to actually SIT STILL and MOTIONLESS during terrifying moments connects the player with the action in a way I have very seldom felt in gaming. This being said, several of the gameplay choices do not actually affect the outcome in a major way. To be fair, some actions simply don’t affect the next moves at all. As a whole, the gameplay helps to enhance the overall experience, and leaves enough exploration so it doesn´t feel like the player is just choosing scenes in a DVD menu.

Like Arnold Schwarzenegger would have said. You’re one ugly motherfu**er!

The next thing and most-likely biggest single contributor to the experience is the presentation. The characters and environment are crafted with an attention to detail that I dare to say is one of the finest in gaming history. I´m talking about pores on faces, the swift whistle of wind through trees, the crunch of fresh snow beneath footsteps. And its details such as that which makes the “Until Dawn” experience really creepy and real, it´s a A grade horror title with no doubt. The player is allowed to move their flashlight or torch or lantern in real-time revealing the craftsmanship of Supermassive games but not forcing it down our throats at all times. The voice acting at some moment’s borders on the ridiculous but almost immediately returns to the realm of utter immersion, which is not only a credit to the actors involved but also excellent writing and direction. The Until Dawn soundtrack´s mounts and fades also adds so much to the suspense even in further playthroughs. In all, I would say the presentation of this game does as much for the experience as any other element.

The final category I would like to touch on is Until Dawn’s ability to give the choices to the player. After beating the game for the Fifth, YES 5th TIME, I began to truly understand how the smallest trip to the side of a path or a simple five-minute period of ill-treatment of a character can change the overall landscape of your storyline. The way these choices are integrated does wonders for the game as well because they are not all presented in a way where it is obvious. Just picking up a few scraps of paper can save a character’s life, simply choosing to jump can mean the difference between a character hating you or being an ally. In all, the choices the player makes do influence the outcome even in ways that are not apparent until visiting a completely separate playthrough.

Do you have what it takes to face your inner fear?

In summary, the point I started with is the same point I want to end with. Until Dawn has changed the game in a way that is extremely necessary. Blending the bleeding edge of technology with the visceral gore and suspense that had the public waiting for the next Wes Craven film (Respect to one of my role-models and innovators of the genre). I am not suggesting that every horror game needs a triple-A budget and years of development, I am however, suggesting… NO, insisting that the horror genre is all-together better and more respectable in gaming due to Until Dawn. I look forward to more from this studio and also for the developers who have been inspired by works from the past, INCLUDING this experience.

Pros:
+ Replayability
+ Evolving storyline
+ Good blend of old style and new style horror
+ Graphics and presentation.

Cons:
– Some choices do not seem to affect outcomes
– Multiple playthroughs required for full storyline understanding
-Vague ways to save or doom characters.

Verdict: 4.5/5
Until Dawn is a MUST play for everyone who loves horror games

tgg grade 4.5 out of 5

Title: Until Dawn
Developer: Supermassive Games
Format: PlayStation 4
Genre: Horror
Resolution: 1080p
Release date: 2015-08-25
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Spent time: 20 Hours+
Average grade internationally: 80.25% via gamerankings.com
PEGI age rating: 18+
Price: $59.99 USD