Many fans have started expressing mixed feelings about PlayStation Studios’ recent decisions. A major point of contention has been their focus on live-service titles and the push for remakes and remasters. One such divisive announcement was the remaster of Until Dawn. Originally released in 2015 to positive acclaim, Until Dawn still holds up remarkably well today so, what exactly does a remaster bring to the table?
The challenge for the Until Dawn Remaster is to prove its value. While visual upgrades are expected, it needs more than just a fresh coat of paint to justify a €70 price tag. Our review will break down what works, what doesn’t, and ultimately help you decide if the remaster is worth buying.
Story
If you haven’t played the original, Until Dawn follows a group of friends spending a weekend at a remote mountain lodge, a year after the mysterious disappearance of two sisters. The host, Josh, invites everyone back to move on from the tragic event. But as the night unfolds, unsettling events start to occur, revealing dark secrets. The friends must survive ‘until dawn’ —or die trying.
The remaster sticks to the same core narrative as the 2015 release, though it introduces subtle new elements. There are additional conversation options and some expanded branching paths, adding depth to certain character arcs.
A key feature of the story is player choice—your decisions determine who survives. You’ll control multiple characters and face frequent choices, often deciding between an aggressive or passive response. However, not every problem can be solved peacefully, and trying to save everyone may backfire. Sometimes, the only way to stay alive is by abandoning others.
While the game doesn’t reinvent the horror genre, it excels at being engaging, suspenseful, and unsettling when it needs to be.
How much backstory you uncover depends on how thoroughly you explore. There are three key plotlines in the game: the lodge’s past, the identity of the mysterious killer, and the story of the twin sisters. These details are found through notes, letters, and documents scattered across Blackwood Mountain. Collecting them provides a richer understanding of the story and enhances your experience.
Gameplay
Beyond choosing dialogue, players guide the characters’ actions through gameplay, often involving Quick Time Events (QTEs). The QTEs are still fast-paced and challenging, but accessibility options allow you to adjust the difficulty if needed. One of the toughest sections involves staying completely still to avoid detection—on the PS5, you’ll need to hold the controller perfectly steady.
Collectibles, such as Totems, also play an essential role. These totems provide glimpses of potential future events, acting as warnings or hints for key decisions. Their placement has changed from the original game, meaning even veterans will face new challenges. The absence of specific totems that once nudged you toward safer choices adds unpredictability, making it harder to know the best course of action.
While much of the gameplay remains the same, the most noticeable improvement is in camera control. You now have the ability to adjust the camera in certain areas, adding more freedom while exploring the lodge and surrounding environments. However, there are still moments where the game locks the camera to deliver cinematic angles, enhancing the tension.
Visuals
Despite some impressive upgrades, the remaster struggles with performance. Unfortunately, the game is capped at 30FPS on PS5, which can be disappointing during exploration. While the game’s visuals are gorgeous, occasional frame rate drops detract from the experience. Hopefully, future patches will address this.
The remaster has been rebuilt with Unreal Engine 5, offering a stunning level of detail. Character models are incredibly lifelike, with visible pores and subtle facial animations. The environments are equally impressive, immersing players in the eerie atmosphere of Blackwood Mountain.
Lighting has also seen a significant overhaul. Unlike the original’s consistent blue filter, the remaster introduces warmer tones in the earlier sections of the game, creating a more dynamic visual experience. As night falls, the lighting gradually darkens, making the shift to horror more impactful. Some fans of the original may miss the perpetual blue tint, but the new lighting adds variety to the game’s atmosphere.
A standout feature of the PS5 version is its use of the DualSense controller. During critical decision-making moments, you now press either L2 or R2, with the adaptive triggers adding resistance. This small change enhances the emotional weight of your choices, making them feel more deliberate and meaningful.
Conclusion
For newcomers who missed the original, this version is a great way to experience the game. It breathes new life into the 2015 classic, despite occasional performance hiccups.
For those familiar with the original, the changes may not be significant enough to warrant a second purchase—but if you’re craving a replay, the remaster offers enough polish to make the journey worthwhile.
Until Dawn Pricing & Availability
Until Dawn is available on PlayStation 5 with a price point of €69.99. It’s also available on PC.
