Not all video game remakes are created equally. While some, like Final Fantasy VII Remake or Metroid: Zero Mission, revolutionize the original game, others, such as Shadows of the Colossus or Destroy All Humans!, merely update the graphics without enhancing the gameplay. Until Dawn falls into the latter category. Although it boasts a stunning visual overhaul and maintains its captivating decision-based gameplay, the lack of significant improvements and noticeable performance issues make it a hard sell, especially considering its premium price tag.
Here’s what our reviewer had to say about the original 2015 release of Until Dawn:
Until Dawn (2015) Review
“At its best, Until Dawn is a gleefully cheesy homage to horror movies, set in a world built by a developer that clearly adores the genre. Although its thrills are tempered by a lack of story cohesion, its robust choice-and-consequence system and keen eye on horror’s most ridiculous tropes make Until Dawn ultimately worth playing.” – Lucy O’Brien, August 25, 2015
Score: 7.5
Read the full review here
Echoing the sentiments of the original review, the remake of Until Dawn stays true to the core gameplay experience. Despite Supermassive’s subsequent horror titles coming close to matching its quality, Until Dawn remains the pinnacle of the developer’s choice-and-consequence formula. With its schlock horror narrative and stellar performances from the cast, the game still delivers an engaging and thrilling experience.
Back in Blackwood
The remake rebuilds the game from the ground up on a new engine (Unreal 5), resulting in improved textures and lighting. While these enhancements contribute to a more realistic and immersive world, they also come with drawbacks like shaky frame rates and occasional crashes, detracting from the overall experience.
The shift to an over-the-shoulder camera perspective allows for better immersion in the detailed environments but also takes away from the cinematic presentation of the original. Movement controls feel sluggish and less responsive, making it challenging to navigate the game’s challenges effectively.
Despite minor adjustments to gameplay mechanics like totem placements and premonition triggers, the core gameplay remains largely unchanged. The lack of significant updates and the steep price tag make the Until Dawn remake a tough sell for existing fans and newcomers alike.
Teenage Future Injure Totems
Collecting totems provides glimpses into potential fates, but the process has become more tedious in the remake. The revised mechanics for triggering premonitions feel clunky and detract from the overall flow of the game.
Overall, the Until Dawn remake may struggle to justify its high price tag and lack of substantial improvements compared to the original version. Players may find it more appealing to stick with the PlayStation 4 version, which offers a smoother experience at a fraction of the cost.