Will she survive the horror or die young?Image: ZVG
review
The specially interactive horror game Until Dawn receives a revamped new version to coincide with the gloomy autumn and Halloween seasons. But is it really worth playing again?
In 2015, we were particularly impressed by the PlayStation 4 game Until Dawn: like a classic horror film, we accompanied a group of teenagers who were being hunted in isolation by a deranged killer. Who can survive the joy, and who must leave the stage bloody? At various points, we're allowed to take our fate into our own hands and send characters on specific story paths.
The whole thing looked so real that we almost didn't notice that we were actually playing an extremely passive role in this video game and being sent from one level to the next. But that didn't matter to us as the atmosphere of the film really captivated us and delighted fans of the genre. Nearly a decade later, a new version of the horror thriller has been released, aiming to once again transport us into the world of interactive cinematic gaming.
Nothing bad can actually happen in this beautiful mountain panorama.Image: zvg
a fearful heart
This story alone is enough to warm the hearts of slasher fans: A year ago, drama occurred in a snowy mountain cabin, resulting in two young girls disappearing without a trace. Now, a group of friends from those years have gathered in the same place to commemorate the two missing men, with a formal, sexually-charged party.
But all goes to nothing as a masked killer suddenly hunts the group, and a particularly bloody confrontation ensues. Plus, something dark lurks in the snowy mountain scrub, a hermit stirs up extra terrors, and what's going on in an abandoned sanatorium near a lonely mountain cabin? The fight for survival and speculation begins.
Will this young man be the next victim?Image: zvg
no freedom to play
We played a few short chapters and switched back and forth between different group members, who of course split up and took different paths to solve puzzles and escape the killer. We control crazy stereotypical teenagers through dimly lit interiors, snowy forests or maze-like cave systems and are allowed to act in certain places, i.e. perform certain actions.
The fate of these two characters seems sealed.Image: zvg
We open doors, pick up photos and newspaper articles or approach characters to start a conversation, that is, trigger a cutscene. There is little freedom to play. To do this, we can choose answers and decisions during the dialogue, which can have a huge impact on the fate of the character.
That's the special charm of Until Dawn that still resonates today: the vast number of different paths and endings that await us. The basic dramatic structure, the mystery in the background, is the same every time you play, but the characters' fates and different relationships with each other make you want to play again after the end credits roll.
New, beautiful graphics
Of course, the new version has a modified appearance, with more realistic facial features and animations, but it doesn't show an incredibly huge difference compared to the original, which was so good and realistic that it fascinated the gaming community at the time.
Of course, indoor and ambient environments, especially snow scenes, appear more dramatic and realistic now, but they were already very prominent in 2015. By the way, there are no new areas, story sections or anything like that. At least the soundtrack was rearranged and interpreted.
The new version is designed to have a better look.Image: zvg
Anyone who already knows the original is now wondering if there's a good reason to experience the horror genre again. Short answer: yes.
Personal memory?
I have fond memories of the original and can still remember how this interactive hack-and-slash game pushed all the right buttons for me. However, I forgot almost everything that might have been considered a positive effect in the first few hours of the new version. I don’t remember who the murderer was or what exactly happened in the background of this mysterious story.
It wasn't until a certain key scene that I suddenly realized that the memory came back. I once again knew who the murderer was, and what exactly happened in this snowy mountain world. But I still haven't put the controller aside. Even today, Until Dawn is still so much fun. The game is easily played through in a long night and makes good use of the rules of the genre while also making fun of them.
Some characters are annoying, and some are particularly annoying.Image: zvg
These characters are mainly notable for their Sturm und Drang phase and want to engage in sexual activity at all times, which can really keep you on the edge of your seat. When a character finally speaks for the last time, people yell on the treadmill, they're happy.
A timeless love letter to genre
in conclusion: The situation is clear: If you like horror movies and games, and want to be scared, Until Dawn will give you a lot of fun. Provided the original work is not consumed and no spoilers reach eyes and ears.
Those who have already consumed Until Dawn should carefully consider whether they are willing to spend around 70 francs to experience the same thing again. Even though the memory may be gone, the brief fun is only short-lived and after a certain point the regret will quickly creep in as all the memories will suddenly come back and then the number of games will be very limited.
Regardless, Until Dawn itself remains a very atmospheric horror game that attacks your nerves often and forcefully, is sometimes surprising in its content, and plays beautifully on the genre keyboard. The game did that well back then and still does it well today.
Until Dawn is available for Playstation 5 and PC. Approved for ages 18 and over.
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