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Until Dawn review on PS5

October 10, 2024

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When Until Dawn debuted back in 2015 on PS4, it changed the way gamers experienced interactive horror. The mix of player-driven choices, unpredictable outcomes, and Hollywood-style production made it stand out in a sea of slasher games. Fast forward to 2024, and British studio Ballistic Moon has taken on the daunting task of remaking the cult classic.

Utilizing Unreal Engine 5, the remake offers a complete graphical overhaul, expanded lore, and subtle gameplay improvements. But does it live up to expectations, especially for those of us who were around for the first release?

Until Dawn details

Platform(s): PlayStation 5 and PC
Developer(s): Ballistic Moon
Publisher(s): Sony Interactive Entertainment
Genre: Survival horror, Action-adventure game, Interactive film
Modes: Single-player
ESRB Rating: M (Mature 17+)

Revisiting Blackwood Mountain – same thrills, more depth

Until Dawn’s core story remains as haunting as ever. You’re back on Blackwood Mountain, where eight friends gather for a reunion, only to face supernatural threats and unravel long-buried secrets. The butterfly effect system, which allows every decision to alter the outcome, is still the game’s centrepiece. It feels like nothing has changed in this department, and that’s a good thing—after all, it’s this branching narrative design that gives Until Dawn its near-limitless replayability.

One thing that did surprise me, however, was how the expanded lore deepened my experience. I found myself piecing together more intricate details about the mountain’s past and the eerie events leading up to the group’s fateful night. In one playthrough, I stumbled upon a journal that revealed disturbing facts about the lodge’s previous occupants, adding a new layer of dread to my already tense playthrough. These added bits of lore aren’t earth-shattering, but they do make the story feel fuller for longtime fans.

Tension and choice-based gameplay

As for gameplay, there’s a comforting familiarity to the mechanics. Quick-time events (QTEs) are still a major part of the experience, though they’ve been tweaked to be slightly more forgiving. If you had problems with the short response times in the original, this is a welcome change. The QTEs still keep you on edge, but with clearer prompts, I made fewer accidental slip-ups.

One of the game’s more significant improvements lies in the additional collectibles and expanded dialogue options. These additions provide more insight into the character’s motivations and the history of Blackwood Mountain. I found myself replaying certain chapters just to uncover every hidden secret—whether it was a lost letter or a cryptic totem that gave me a premonition I wasn’t sure I wanted to see. These new elements feel like small but meaningful enhancements that reward your exploration.

However, this expansion also has its drawbacks. During one scene in the basement, I spent far too much time backtracking just to pick up a collectible I had missed earlier. It momentarily broke the flow of the game, and I felt like it was more about checking boxes than adding to the experience. While the additions add replay value, they can sometimes pull you out of the tension-filled narrative.

Balancing new and old

The challenge of any remake lies in balancing nostalgia with innovation, and Until Dawn walks that line well. If you have already played the original version on PS4 multiple times, the game’s core narrative might not be enough to justify a full-priced purchase. Aside from the visual improvements and expanded lore, the game doesn’t drastically alter the original story or gameplay mechanics. If you loved the original, you’ll enjoy revisiting Blackwood Mountain, but don’t expect a brand-new experience.

One thing that did frustrate me was how certain parts of the game, especially the slower-paced exploration moments, still drag a bit. While the expanded cinematography helps fix some of these issues, there were times when the game seemed like it was stuck between being a movie and a game. It works during the tense, high-stakes scenes but feels less polished during the quieter moments.

An immersive,evolved horror experience

Graphically, Until Dawn looks great. The dynamic lighting, ray tracing, and advanced weather effects heighten the sense of dread in a way that the original never could. Snowstorms feel suffocating, casting shadows in such a way that you’re constantly expecting something—or someone—to leap out from behind the trees. The character models, too, have seen a major improvement. Faces are more expressive, and the new injury progression system means that wounds stay visible, adding realism to every near-death encounter.

I remember one particular moment when I was playing as Sam, running through a blizzard. The improved snow and wind effects made it incredibly hard to see, and I almost missed an important totem because of how disoriented I felt. It’s the kind of moment where the technical improvements really pay off, drawing you further in and making you feel the cold and terror along with the characters.

Is Until Dawn on PS5 worth the purchase?

If you have never played Until Dawn before, then Until Dawn on PS5 is absolutely worth your money. The game feels fresh, immersive, and full of heart-stopping moments. The combination of atmospheric horror, detailed character development, and multiple story outcomes ensures that the game will have you coming back for more.

However, for fans of the original on PS4, it’s more of a mixed bag. The enhanced graphics and new lore are certainly enticing, but with no major story changes, it’s not a completely different experience. If you’re looking for something drastically new, you might find yourself a bit disappointed. But if you want to relive those terrifying choices in a more modern, polished package, this remake delivers exactly that.

In short, Until Dawn on PS5 may not reinvent the wheel, but it reinforces what made the original great while adding just enough new content to make the trip back to Blackwood Mountain worthwhile.

Pros	Cons
Gorgeous visuals, thanks to Unreal Engine 5.	Minor gameplay updates might not justify a full replay for fans of the original.
Branching story lines keep the narrative fresh and unpredictable.	Slow pacing in some exploration sections drags the momentum.
Tense atmosphere, mixing jump scares and psychological horror.	Fixed camera angles can feel outdated and awkward.
The butterfly effect system makes every decision impactful, adding depth and replayability.