Summary
The Until Dawn Remake is a faithful yet enhanced reimagining of a horror classic. The improved visuals, expanded storytelling, and minor gameplay tweaks all contribute to a richer experience for both new and returning players. The game’s performance on the PS5, coupled with its faster load times and better graphics, makes it feel more polished than ever. While some might miss the fixed camera angles and others could find the new lighting system slightly off, these are minor quibbles in what is otherwise a standout remake.
If you’ve played the original, you might not find the changes significant enough to warrant a repurchase unless you're a diehard fan. However, if you’ve never played Until Dawn before, this remake is the definitive version to experience.
Developer – Ballistic Moon
Publisher – Playstation Publishing LLC
Platforms – PS5 (Reviewed)
As a long-time Supermassive Games fan, Until Dawn on the PS4 remains one of my all-time favourite horror games. You might even say I’m a super massive fan of their games! (ouch) The recently released Until Dawn Remake on the PS5 by Ballistic Moon offers a new generation the chance to experience this compelling story with an even more chilling atmosphere. It introduces various enhancements that elevate the experience with new features, but ultimately, these additions don’t drastically change the core of the original.
For those who played the 2015 version, there’s not enough here to warrant a repurchase unless you’re a hardcore fan. Sure, the changes are good, but the original already had decent graphics and excellent character design. The remake’s improvements are welcome, but they’re not transformative enough to justify buying the game again. However, if you’ve never played either version, purchasing the remake is an absolute no-brainer—you’re in for a treat, as it’s still a brilliant game that stands out in the horror genre.
Visual and Cinematic Enhancements
The Until Dawn Remake on PS5 leverages the power of Unreal Engine 5 to deliver a visually stunning experience that outshines its 2015 predecessor. Environments are more detailed, character models are sharper, and the textures bring the cold, eerie isolation of Blackwood Mountain to life in ways that the PS4 version couldn’t. The lighting system, in particular, has received a major upgrade, which both enhances the game’s realism and, at times, introduces peculiarities.
The dynamic lighting adds depth and atmosphere to scenes, casting long shadows that ramp up the tension in dark hallways or dense woods. However, some scenes suffer from lighting that feels off—certain areas are overly dark, making it difficult to see details, while other spots feature a strange glow that can pull you out of the immersive experience. Though these quirks don’t ruin the game, they’re noticeable and slightly distracting.
Cinematically, the game feels much more like an interactive film, thanks to the overhauled camera system. Where the original relied on fixed camera angles to create tension, the remake allows for more fluid transitions and dynamic shots that give players a stronger sense of control over their perspective. This shift gives the game a more modern, immersive feel, almost as if you’re part of a slasher movie rather than just watching events unfold. While some purists might miss the unique tension created by the original’s fixed angles, where danger could lurk just out of sight, the updated system does a great job of heightening the overall cinematic atmosphere. Whether you prefer this change is subjective, but it undeniably contributes to a more polished, movie-like experience.
Deeper Storytelling and Character Focus
One of the most notable improvements in the Until Dawn Remake is its expanded prologue. In the original, Beth and Hannah’s introduction was relatively brief, with little time given to flesh out their characters before the tragic prank that sets the game’s events in motion. The remake adds a little depth to their story, allowing players to see more of their personalities, relationships, and lives before the fateful night. This new prologue is a decent addition that makes the emotional weight of the story feel even more impactful. You get a glimpse of Hannah’s insecurities and Beth’s protective nature, which makes their subsequent tragedy hit harder. It’s a much more emotional and engaging start that immediately draws you into the narrative. I recommend revisiting clips of the original prologue after playing the remake to fully appreciate how far the game has come in fleshing out these characters.
Throughout the rest of the game, characters like Jessica, Emily, and Josh are given more screen time and additional layers to their personalities. The relationships and conflicts between the group members are explored in greater depth, which enriches the dynamics and makes their interactions feel more authentic. For instance, Jessica’s shallow, self-absorbed persona is explored more deeply, showing that there’s more to her than what initially meets the eye.
Without delving into spoilers, the group’s shifting alliances and motivations are handled with more nuance, making them feel like real people caught in a terrifying situation, rather than just typical horror archetypes. These additional layers of complexity enrich the narrative and make the choices you have to make throughout the game feel more meaningful.
Gameplay and Mechanic Improvements
In terms of gameplay, the Until Dawn Remake sticks close to its roots, keeping the core mechanics intact while making a few small but significant tweaks. For example, one of the most iconic features of the original game, the totems, has been slightly modified. In the remake, instead of simply rotating the totems to view a premonition, players now have to look inside the totem to uncover the hidden vision. This change is minor, but it adds an extra layer of immersion, requiring more active involvement from the player.
Another notable addition is the new “Stay Calm” mechanic, which replaces the original’s “keep the controller still” method during tense moments where characters need to hide. In the remake, players can now opt to hide by pressing a button to control their character’s breathing and heart rate, making it a more reliable and less frustrating mechanic. This is particularly helpful in stressful situations, where keeping the controller perfectly still was a challenge in the original. You can also toggle between the old method and the new one in the options menu, giving players flexibility depending on their preference.
Performance and Loading Times
While the Until Dawn Remake is visually stunning and offers a highly immersive experience, the game is locked at 30fps, with no option for a higher frame rate. This limitation, though understandable due to the cinematic nature of the gameplay, is somewhat disappointing, especially considering the significant leap in GPU and CPU resources that the PS5 offers compared to the original PS4 version. Many players were hoping for a smoother experience with a higher frame rate option, but the game sticks to its roots in this regard.
On the bright side, loading times have seen a dramatic improvement thanks to the PS5’s ultra-fast SSD. Transitions between scenes and chapters are almost instantaneous, keeping the tension and immersion intact without the annoying pauses present in the original. This helps maintain the narrative flow and keeps the atmosphere as gripping as possible, even if the frame rate remains unchanged.
Story Additions and New Endings (Minor Spoilers)
The remake also adds a few new story beats, with the most intriguing one being a post-credits scene focused on Sam. Without giving too much away, this scene hints at possible future expansions or sequels, making it a tantalizing addition for fans hoping for more from the Until Dawn universe. Moreover, Josh, whose fate in the original left some players unsatisfied, can now be saved, depending on the choices you make. This change offers a more conclusive and perhaps more fulfilling ending to his story, which might entice veteran players to return for another playthrough. These new additions add just enough to make replaying the game worthwhile after you’ve rolled credits for the first time.
Final Thoughts
The Until Dawn Remake is a faithful yet enhanced reimagining of a horror classic. The improved visuals, expanded storytelling, and minor gameplay tweaks all contribute to a richer experience for both new and returning players. The game’s performance on the PS5, coupled with its faster load times and better graphics, makes it feel more polished than ever. While some might miss the fixed camera angles and others could find the new lighting system slightly off, these are minor quibbles in what is otherwise a standout remake.
If you’ve played the original, you might not find the changes significant enough to warrant a repurchase unless you’re a diehard fan. However, if you’ve never played Until Dawn before, this remake is the definitive version to experience. For new players, this is the perfect time to dive into one of the most engaging and atmospheric horror games of the past decade. Just in time for spooky season too…it’s like they planned it!
