What is Until Dawn?
Until Dawn is a 2015 interactive drama survival horror video game developed by Supermassive Games and published by Sony Computer Entertainment. The game follows eight teenagers who are invited to a remote mountain lodge for a weekend getaway, only to be hunted by a mysterious killer. Players control the characters’ actions through dialogue trees and quick-time events, and their decisions affect the course of the story and the fates of the characters.
The Wendigo
The Wendigo is a legendary creature from Algonquian folklore. It is said to be a malevolent spirit that possesses humans, causing them to crave human flesh. In Until Dawn, the Wendigo is a mysterious killer who stalks the teenagers and picks them off one by one.
Gameplay
Until Dawn is played from a third-person perspective. Players control the eight teenagers and explore the lodge and its surroundings. The game features a branching narrative, and players’ choices affect the course of the story. Players must make quick-time decisions to determine the characters’ actions and avoid being killed by the Wendigo.
Characters
- Jessica: A popular and outgoing girl who is the leader of the group.
- Mike: Jessica’s boyfriend, a star athlete who is struggling to come to terms with his family’s past.
- Ashley: A shy and timid girl who is often bullied by the others.
- Chris: A sensitive and artistic boy who is struggling with his sexuality.
- Emily: A tough and independent girl who is often at odds with Jessica.
- Matt: Emily’s boyfriend, a level-headed and practical boy.
- Sam: A cheerful and optimistic girl who is always trying to look on the bright side.
- Josh: The enigmatic and mysterious host of the weekend getaway.
Reception
Until Dawn received positive reviews from critics, who praised its branching narrative, compelling characters, and chilling atmosphere. The game was also a commercial success, selling over 2.5 million copies worldwide.
Until Dawn: Rush of Blood
In 2016, a prequel to Until Dawn titled Until Dawn: Rush of Blood was released for the PlayStation VR headset. The game is a first-person rail shooter in which players play as Emily as she tries to escape from a haunted asylum.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the Wendigo?
The Wendigo is a legendary creature from Algonquian folklore. It is said to be a malevolent spirit that possesses humans, causing them to crave human flesh.
Who are the main characters in Until Dawn?
The main characters in Until Dawn are Jessica, Mike, Ashley, Chris, Emily, Matt, Sam, and Josh.
What is the gameplay like in Until Dawn?
Until Dawn is a third-person interactive drama survival horror game. Players control the eight teenagers and explore the lodge and its surroundings. The game features a branching narrative, and players’ choices affect the course of the story.
Is Until Dawn scary?
Yes, Until Dawn is a scary game. It features a dark and atmospheric setting, a mysterious killer, and plenty of jump scares.
Is Until Dawn appropriate for children?
No, Until Dawn is not appropriate for children. The game is rated M for Mature by the ESRB for blood and gore, intense violence, strong language, and sexual themes.
Where can I buy Until Dawn?
Until Dawn is available for purchase on the PlayStation Store, Steam, and other online retailers.
References
Until Dawn: A Night of Terror
Until Dawn is an interactive horror game in which the player’s choices determine the fate of eight friends who are stranded in a remote cabin after a prank goes awry. As they search for their missing friend, they are stalked by a masked killer who forces them to make life-or-death decisions. The game features multiple endings, with the player’s actions affecting the survival of each character.
Until Dawn: Choices That Matter
"Until Dawn" is a psychological horror video game that emphasizes the profound impact of player choices on the narrative’s progression and character survival. Set in a secluded cabin in the Blackwood Mountains, the game follows a group of eight college students trapped by a mysterious killer.
Each decision made alters the story and the characters’ fates. Players must carefully weigh their options, as even seemingly insignificant choices can lead to unexpected consequences. Relationships between characters change dynamically based on player interactions, and the game features multiple branching paths and endings depending on the choices made.
The Butterfly Effect system ensures that every decision carries weight, and the game’s narrative adapts to the player’s unique choices, creating a truly immersive and interactive experience. Players must balance their desire to save characters with the risks involved, creating a sense of uncertainty and tension throughout the game.
Until Dawn: Game Review
Until Dawn is an interactive horror game from Supermassive Games. Players control a group of eight teenagers who are stranded in a remote cabin and hunted by a mysterious killer. The game features a branching storyline with multiple endings, depending on the player’s choices.
Gameplay and Controls:
Until Dawn offers a unique blend of exploration, investigation, and quick-time events. Players uncover clues and make decisions that influence the narrative. The game’s controls are simple and intuitive, allowing for easy navigation and action sequences.
Atmosphere and Story:
Until Dawn excels in creating a chilling and suspenseful atmosphere. The game’s setting and characters are well-developed, evoking a sense of claustrophobia and vulnerability. The story is engaging and keeps players guessing until the very end.
Characters and Dialogue:
The eight playable characters are diverse and relatable, each with their own strengths and flaws. The dialogue is well-written and adds depth to the characters, making them feel like more than just disposable victims.
Conclusion:
Until Dawn is a masterclass in interactive horror. Its branching storyline, engaging characters, and unsettling atmosphere make for an unforgettable gaming experience. The game’s emphasis on player choice and consequence adds replay value and keeps players coming back for more.
Until Dawn: Walkthrough
Prologue:
- Choose between Beth, Sam, Mike, and Jessica at the elevator.
- Explore the lodge, interacting with characters and discovering clues.
Chapter 1:
- Continue exploring the lodge, selecting dialogue options and making choices that affect the story.
- Escape the Wendigo and find a hidden room with a clue.
Chapter 2:
- Save Matt from the trap.
- Use the walkie-talkies to communicate with other survivors.
Chapter 3:
- Search the asylum for a way out.
- Choose between Jessica or Emily to save Emily.
Chapter 4:
- Escape the asylum and navigate the mines.
- Make a life-or-death choice between Emily and Chris.
Chapter 5:
- Discover the killer’s identity.
- Confront the killer and make final choices that influence the game’s ending.
Ending:
- The game has several different endings, depending on the choices made throughout the walkthrough.
- Survive until dawn to escape the night alive.
Until Dawn: Cheats
- Infinite Ammo: Hold L1+R1+Square+Triangle+Options when playing as a character armed with a gun.
- One-Hit Kills: Hold R2+L2+Circle+X+Options when playing as a character wielding a non-lethal weapon.
- Unlock All Stages: Hold X+Square+Options+Share+L1+R1 at the main menu.
- Full Health and Stamina: Hold Triangle+Circle+L1+R1 at any time.
- Increase Character Height: Hold Circle+Square+X at the campfire scene.
- Unlock Secret Character: Hold L2+R2+Triangle+Circle+Square at the laundry room scene.
- Enter Debug Mode: Hold L1+R1+Square+Triangle+Circle+Up on the D-pad at the beginning of the game.
- Disable Scene Transitions: Hold L2+R2+X+Circle+Square at any time.
Until Dawn: Easter Eggs
- Saw Reference: The "Choose Your Own Adventure" style of gameplay, where players’ choices affect the outcome of the story, is reminiscent of the Saw film franchise.
- The Cabin in the Woods: The overall premise of a group of teenagers spending a weekend at a secluded cabin and being hunted by a supernatural entity bears similarities to The Cabin in the Woods.
- Ash vs. Evil Dead: The chainsaw is a signature weapon used in the Evil Dead franchise, and it appears as a collectible item in Until Dawn.
- Silent Hill: The setting of the Sanatorium is reminiscent of the eerie and abandoned hospitals found in the Silent Hill video game series.
- The Shining: The twins in Until Dawn, Jessica and Beth, are dressed in blue and pink, echoing the Grady twins from The Shining.
- Freddy Krueger: The character of Peter Washington is portrayed by Kevin Bacon, who played the infamous horror villain in the Nightmare on Elm Street series.
- Scooby-Doo: The character of Sam Giddings is a horror movie aficionado, and he often makes references to Scooby-Doo.
- The Blair Witch Project: The shaky camera footage and documentary-style presentation in certain scenes are reminiscent of The Blair Witch Project.
- Outlast: The psychological horror elements and emphasis on stealth gameplay are similar to the Outlast video game.
- John Carpenter’s The Thing: The creature’s ability to mimic human forms is a nod to the shape-shifting creature in John Carpenter’s The Thing.
Until Dawn: Behind the Scenes
"Until Dawn: Behind the Scenes" chronicles the making of the interactive horror game, "Until Dawn." The documentary features interviews with the game’s developers, including Creative Director Will Byles and Lead Writer Larry Fessenden. It provides an in-depth look at the game’s unique approach to storytelling, character development, and cinematic presentation.
Until Dawn: Interview with the Developers
- Supermassive Games’ Creative Director talks about the inspiration and development process behind the horror game.
- The game is heavily influenced by classic horror films such as The Evil Dead and Friday the 13th.
- The developers wanted to create a game that was more about atmosphere and suspense than action and gore.
- The game’s branching narrative and multiple endings allow players to have a unique and personalized experience.
- The developers spent a lot of time on the game’s characters and relationships, which they wanted to be realistic and believable.
- The game’s cast of actors includes Hayden Panettiere, Peter Stormare, and Rami Malek.
- Until Dawn was a critical and commercial success, and it is considered to be one of the best horror games of all time.
Until Dawn: Video Game Adaptation
Until Dawn: Rush of Blood is a video game adaptation of the popular horror video game Until Dawn. The game is a first-person shooter in which players take control of eight different characters who are trapped in a haunted asylum. As they explore the asylum, players must fight off waves of enemies, including zombies, werewolves, and vampires. The game also features a branching storyline that allows players to make choices that will affect the outcome of the game. Until Dawn: Rush of Blood was released in 2018 for the PlayStation VR headset.