Until Dawn Review

The original Until Dawn holds a special place in my heart. Released in 2015, it marked the beginning of Supermassive Games’ signature style—cinematic horror adventures with branching narratives driven by player choice. So, when I heard that Ballistic Moon, under the watchful eye of Supermassive, was remaking this classic, I had mixed feelings. Was it necessary? After spending roughly 12 hours reliving the terror on Unreal Engine 5, my thoughts are just as conflicted. While this remake is undoubtedly the best version of Until Dawn, its close adherence to the original and full-priced standalone status make me question its existence, even though I enjoyed it from beginning to end, just as I did in 2015.

Without a doubt, the first thing you’ll notice is that Until Dawn (2024) looks phenomenal. The move to Unreal Engine 5 has worked wonders, elevating the game to a visual standard befitting modern consoles. The detailed facial animations and more realistic character models breathe life into the star-studded cast. I couldn’t help but be awed by the nuances in facial expressions, especially in high-stakes emotional moments. Watching Hayden Panettiere’s Sam or Rami Malek’s Josh grapple with fear and despair felt more immediate, more human.

Just like the character models, the environments, too, have been completely overhauled. The snowy mountaintop lodge feels colder and more foreboding, while the claustrophobic mines have an oppressive darkness that genuinely made me hesitate before venturing deeper. The lighting is a standout feature—dimly lit hallways glow with the flicker of old lamps, and the shine of blood against the cold stone is sickeningly realistic. And yes, the gore has been cranked up. Death scenes are visceral in ways that will make even horror fans wince.

Unfortunately, the visual splendor isn’t without its faults. I encountered strange framerate stutters during some of the more intense sequences. It wasn’t game-breaking, but it pulled me out of the experience at moments where immersion was most critical. Hopefully, a patch irons these out soon.

If you played the original, you’ll find that Until Dawn (2024) is essentially the same game. The story remains untouched—a group of teenagers reuniting a year after a tragedy on a remote mountain, only to be hunted by both supernatural and very human horrors. The branching narrative system, where every choice can lead to life or death, still excels at creating tension. Even knowing the plot, I felt the same gnawing dread every time I had to make a critical decision.

The game still rewards exploration. Scouring the lodge and its surroundings for clues and totems is as satisfying as ever, and these collectibles give you glimpses of backstory or warnings of what’s to come. That said, some items have been relocated, which threw me off when I was expecting to find a clue in its original spot. It’s a small change but adds an element of surprise for returning players.

One thing that struck me on this replay is just how well Until Dawn nails the first two-thirds of its runtime. The tension builds beautifully, with the constant sense that something is watching you. The scares feel earned, relying on atmosphere and clever framing rather than cheap jumps. However, just like the original, the final act loses some of this edge as it leans harder into action and exposition. While this is a minor gripe, it’s a reminder that not all of the game’s issues can be fixed by better graphics.

Here’s where the remake stumbles: its purpose. The original Until Dawn still holds up remarkably well. Its graphics, while dated by today’s standards, are serviceable, and its gameplay feels largely timeless. The remake’s improvements—stunning as they are—don’t fundamentally alter the experience. As a result, it’s hard to justify the full price tag for a game that, at its core, hasn’t really changed a whole lot.

Adding to this conundrum is the lack of an upgrade path for owners of the original. It’s frustrating that loyal fans who’ve already supported the franchise don’t have a discounted way to experience the remake. Considering the timing—just ahead of the Until Dawn movie adaptation set to release next year—it feels more like a marketing push than a genuine attempt to reintroduce the game to a new generation.

That said, if you’ve never played Until Dawn, this remake is absolutely the definitive way to experience it. The improved visuals, smoother controls, and enhanced atmosphere make this the best entry point for newcomers. But for those of us who were there in 2015, the question remains: was this necessary?

What this remake does well, however, is remind us of Until Dawn’s importance in gaming history. It was the game that put Supermassive on the map and paved the way for titles like The Dark Pictures Anthology and The Quarry. Many of its core features—branching choices, collectible-based exploration, and cinematic presentation—became staples of the studio’s subsequent work. Playing the remake, I was struck by how well these mechanics still hold up. It’s a testament to how ahead of its time the original was.

The choice-and-consequence system remains one of the best in gaming. Every decision you make feels meaningful, and its ripple effects are felt hours later in unexpected ways. The remake doesn’t mess with this formula, and for good reason—it’s still incredibly satisfying to watch your choices either save or doom your characters. Few games manage to capture this level of player agency, even now.

Final Thoughts

Ultimately, Until Dawn (2024) is a fantastic game, but one that struggles to justify its existence. It’s a faithful recreation that looks and plays better than ever, yet it feels unnecessary given how well the original has aged. For newcomers, this is a must-play—a visually stunning horror experience that still delivers genuine scares and gripping tension. For returning players, it’s harder to recommend at full price, especially without an upgrade option.

Still, I can’t deny that I had a great time revisiting this mountain of nightmares. Ballistic Moon and Supermassive have crafted a love letter to one of the best horror games of the last decade. While I might question the timing and intent behind this remake, there’s no denying the sheer quality of what’s on offer here. If you’ve been curious about Until Dawn but never took the plunge, now is the perfect time to experience it. For the rest of us, it’s a nostalgic trip that—despite its flaws—is worth taking for one more night of terror.

A PS5 review code was provided by the publisher for the purpose of this review.

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