Until Dawn – PC Review

Until Dawn stands as a cinematic adventure that boldly experiments with the narrative gaming landscape. Supermassive Games' breakout title asks not just how to tell a video game story, but what kind of stories can be told. From its outset, the game strikes a balance between timed button prompts and full control, crafting a foundation upon which it explores various tones, themes, and genres with mixed success.

The game kicks off as a B-movie teen slasher flick, complete with cliché archetypes and a secluded mountain lodge setting. Despite these familiar elements, Until Dawn manages to draw players into the terror, making them feel complicit in the chaos. However, the game doesn't stop there. It swiftly transitions between teen horror, action movie, and psychological drama, keeping players on the edge of their seats. While these shifts maintain the game's pacing, they occasionally deflate the tension, leaving some moments feeling muddled in identity crisis.

Throughout its 10-hour adventure, Until Dawn maintains a consistent balance between open exploration and quick-time events (QTEs). The controls, featuring both standard and motion options, ensure players remain engaged. Despite a few predictable moments, the game's seemingly insignificant choices drastically impact the characters' fates. This willingness to embrace player agency, even at the cost of characters' lives, sets Until Dawn apart, offering a refreshing departure from prescribed outcomes found in other games.

Exploration in Until Dawn yields collectibles such as totems and clues, adding depth to the story. While some collectibles lack impact due to explicit story revelations, the game's captivating cast compensates. The mo-cap work delivers photorealistic facial expressions, immersing players in the characters' emotions. Although not every aspect of the game is flawless, the synergy between acting, tension, atmosphere, and gameplay results in a captivating experience. Until Dawn's experimentation with choices and their meaningful consequences elevates it among the best in its genre, offering an unpredictable and engaging adventure. Despite its occasional missteps, Until Dawn remains a thrilling journey through horror, action, and psychological intrigue.

Until Dawn proves to be an unexpected delight, especially for enthusiasts of interactive narratives. While it excels as a schlocky horror experience, it transcends the typical slasher genre with its intricate storyline, maintaining a deliberately silly tone throughout. Although occasional control issues and imperfect performance capture might cause minor frustrations, they don't overshadow the engaging popcorn flick plot. The game's standout feature, the butterfly effect, adds depth to the experience, creating a captivating narrative web. In essence, Until Dawn delivers on its promise of a ridiculous romp, providing hours of entertainment that will keep players engaged throughout the night.

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