Until Dawn's PS5 Launch Is A Even Bigger Failure Than Concord

The PS5 remaster of Until Dawn has experienced a notably lackluster reception, with player engagement falling far short of expectations. Data from over 3.1 million active PSN accounts, sourced from GameInsights, reveals that Until Dawn has registered one of the weakest debuts for a Sony game in recent years. Despite the original game's popularity on PS4, the remastered edition has failed to generate significant interest among the PS5 player base, leading to disappointing launch figures.

Compared to other recent releases, Until Dawn's performance appears even more troubling. Its debut saw 28.6% fewer players than Concord, a title that was so poorly received that Sony withdrew it from digital storefronts just two weeks post-launch. Moreover, Until Dawn attracted 98.5% fewer players than The Last of Us Part II Remastered, which remains the most successful single-player PS5 game of 2024. In contrast, Astro Bot, which debuted in sixth place on the list of top single-player PS5 games of the year, amassed a player count 95.5% larger than Until Dawn.

Several factors may have contributed to the remaster's underwhelming performance. The game received minimal promotional support, with marketing efforts limited to a few trailers. Sony may have overestimated the remaster's appeal based on the original game's success, or possibly prioritized other concurrent releases, such as the highly anticipated Silent Hill 2 remake, which was also launched as a PS5 exclusive. Furthermore, the decision to retail Until Dawn at a full AAA price point, while The Last of Us Part II Remastered offered a more affordable $9.99/£9.99 upgrade option, may have deterred potential buyers.

The game’s debut has not only missed the top 10 single-player PS5 games of 2024 but has been met with reactions of bewilderment, given its heritage as a well-regarded PS4 horror title. Nevertheless, there remains the possibility of a resurgence in player interest in the coming weeks, as post-launch updates could address technical issues such as frame rate performance.

Until Dawn may not have met initial expectations, but its inclusion on any list of essential horror games for the PS5 remains warranted. As the title gains further updates and visibility, it may still find a broader audience and achieve the recognition anticipated by its devoted fanbase.