You'll love it if:
- You’re a fan of horror games where your choices shape the story
- You enjoyed the original Until Dawn or other Supermassive Games titles
- You appreciate stunning visuals, immersive sound, and atmospheric tension
- You love the blend of cinematic storytelling and survival horror
Not for you if:
- You’re looking for a fast-paced, action-heavy horror game
- You don’t enjoy quick-time events (QTEs) or decision-based gameplay mechanics
- You’re hoping for significant changes in gameplay compared to the original
It’s hard to believe it’s been nearly a decade since Until Dawn first gripped PS4 players with its unique blend of interactive storytelling and classic slasher-film tropes. For many, it was more than just a game; it was a cinematic horror experience where every choice could lead to either survival or death.
Fast-forward to 2023, and the Until Dawn PS5 remake brings us back to Blackwood Mountain, but with a host of upgrades. The question is: Can this iconic horror title still send shivers down your spine, or is it merely a nostalgia trip dressed up in next-gen visuals? Let’s dive in.
TL;DR
The Until Dawn remake on PS5 sticks to its roots while delivering a stunning visual and technical upgrade that breathes new life into the beloved horror title. With cinematic visuals, improved sound design, and DualSense-enhanced gameplay, the dread and tension of each decision feel more immersive than ever. While some gameplay mechanics feel a little dated, the experience is still gripping, especially for newcomers. If you’ve been waiting for an excuse to revisit Blackwood Mountain—or meet its horrors for the first time—this is it.
Until Dawn Story – A Reunion Full of Regret
Choices That Shape Your Fate
For those unfamiliar with the original, Until Dawn follows a group of friends who return to a mountain lodge a year after a tragedy tore them apart. They hope to find closure, but instead, they find themselves fighting for survival. Players control various characters, making choices that influence the story, who lives, and who dies. As in many horror films, each choice leads you down a path that can quickly turn deadly
The narrative is deeply rooted in the slasher genre, pulling inspiration from everything from Friday the 13th to Scream. But what sets Until Dawn apart from your typical horror movie is its intricate decision-making mechanic. It’s not just about running from danger—it’s about how you handle tense situations and whether you can outthink the game’s psychological twists. And let’s be real, your characters are going to make some dumb decisions along the way—it’s a horror staple. The real thrill is that you get to decide just how bad those decisions are.
Building Tension Through Character Interactions
The PS5 remake retains this same gripping narrative but adds a bit more depth, particularly in the prologue. The expanded introduction gives Beth and Hannah’s tragic story more emotional weight, making their fates more devastating. This subtle enhancement makes the choices you’re forced to make later feel even more consequential. Fans of the original will appreciate how well this version preserves the game’s tension while adding a fresh layer of emotional investment.
If you’ve played The Quarry, you’ll recognize a similar branching decision system that Supermassive Games has perfected. However, where The Quarry leans into campy fun, Until Dawn keeps things dark and serious, sticking more closely to traditional horror themes. Both games excel at making you second-guess every choice, but Until Dawn’s atmosphere feels even more claustrophobic, enhancing the sense of dread at every turn. Here, every breath and every decision feel like they’re leading you one step closer to either salvation or inevitable doom.
That said Until Dawn’s emphasis on choices makes for a game that rewards replays. The butterfly effect mechanic ensures that even small decisions can lead to dramatic changes later on, giving you different endings based on who survives. This gives the game some serious legs, especially if you’re someone who likes to test out different story outcomes. Whether you manage to save everyone or end up with all eight characters in body bags depends entirely on your decisions.
Until Dawn Visuals – Slasher Horror Meets Stunning Cinematics
If the original Until Dawn was already cinematic, the PS5 remake is the full-on IMAX version. The game has been rebuilt using Unreal Engine 5, and the difference is immediately noticeable. From character models to lighting, the entire visual package feels like a horror film come to life. The facial animations, in particular, stand out, with subtle expressions like a twitch of fear or a flicker of uncertainty adding to the overall tension. When characters are in peril, you feel their fear—often reflected in tiny details like the way their eyes dart around in panic.
Bringing Blackwood Mountain to Life
The environments are where the PS5’s power truly shines. The snow-covered Blackwood Mountain is more menacing than ever, and the way the lighting shifts as you move through its dark corridors and dense woods adds to the feeling that something terrible is lurking just out of sight. Lanterns flicker, moonlight casts eerie shadows, and it’s hard not to stop for a second to just appreciate how good it all looks—right before you’re chased down by something trying to kill you.
Lighting That Elevates Fear
The lighting, in particular, deserves praise. It isn’t just there to make things look pretty; it ramps up the tension and contributes to the overall atmosphere. Whether it’s the cold glow of a flashlight or the warm flicker of a fire, the way the light interacts with the environment adds depth to every scene. The shadows that stretch across every room and forest trail add a sense of foreboding that makes you hesitate to move forward—even when you know the horror is inevitable.
Despite its impressive graphical upgrades, not everything is perfect. Some scenes are a little too dark, making it hard to spot critical details. A photo mode would have been a welcome addition, too—there are plenty of moments where you’d want to capture the stunning visuals. Still, even with these minor issues, Until Dawn manages to deliver an atmosphere that is as beautiful as it is terrifying.
Until Dawn Gameplay & Sound – Tension You Can Feel
While the core gameplay mechanics haven’t changed much since the original, the PS5’s DualSense controller brings a whole new level of immersion. The haptic feedback makes every heartbeat, every tremor, and every footstep feel real. You can feel the crunch of snow underfoot or the heavy thudding of your character’s pulse as they hide from danger. The adaptive triggers add even more tension, tightening in high-stakes moments to simulate the physical stress your character is going through. Whether you’re tiptoeing through a hallway or running for your life, you’ll feel the strain through the controller, which heightens the stakes of every moment.
One of the best updates is the “Stay Calm” mechanic, which replaces the frustrating “hold the controller still” moments from the original. Now, players must manage their character’s breathing during intense hiding sequences, which feels much more natural and is far less frustrating. This mechanic amps up the suspense—trying to control both your character’s breathing and your own in the process.
Immersive Soundscapes That Heighten the Horror
Sound design has always been critical to the horror genre, and Until Dawn excels in this area. The PS5’s 3D audio capabilities make every creak, distant scream, and howl of wind feel as though they’re coming from right beside you. This envelops you in the game’s world, making every encounter more unsettling.
The voice acting is as solid as ever, with Rami Malek and Hayden Panettiere reprising their roles with the same energy that made the original memorable. Only now, the audio quality makes those performances hit harder, making the tension even more palpable. Malek’s portrayal of the tortured Josh feels even more nuanced, with every line of dialogue landing with more emotional weight.
Compared to The Quarry, which lets players explore a bit more freely Until Dawn has a more confined, linear structure. The quick-time events (QTEs) can feel dated, but the heightened immersion of the sound design and visuals compensates, keeping the tension high in key moments. Sure, some mechanics may not feel as modern as we’d like, but they still deliver enough panic-inducing moments to keep you on edge.
Until Dawn Conclusion – A Bloody Good Remake
The Until Dawn PS5 remake strikes the perfect balance between preserving the elements that made the original so beloved and adding just enough new features to make it feel fresh. The cinematic visuals are stunning, the enhanced sound design creates an immersive experience, and the DualSense integration makes every heartbeat and every moment of panic feel more visceral.
Yes, some gameplay mechanics feel a bit dated, but the overall package is a thrilling, terrifying ride that’s just as gripping today as it was in 2015. If you’re a fan of narrative-driven horror, or if you missed out on the original, this remake is a must-play. Even if you’ve already braved Blackwood Mountain, the PS5’s enhancements make this return visit well worth your time.