By Theresa Afful

If you’re interested in interactive drama that focuses on horror, you should check out Until Dawn. First released in 2015,it was recently remastered and released in earlier this month for PC and PS5. Don’t believe the negative Nellies (I was one before I played).

The artwork was surprisingly amazing and matched or enhanced the earlier release. Decisions affect your path in the game. In fact, this aspect reminded me of the Life is Strange series, also a decision-based game where every choice counts. I loved how human-like all the characters looked and how smoothly their facial expressions moved, making the scenes and plot more effective. It made me feel like I was with each character as they faced each danger. Because of the difference in each character’s personality, I was able to connect and I saw myself getting attached to these characters. 

The writing was breathtaking and mind-blowing. These eight young adults have to survive “until dawn” in and around the Blackwood Mountain lodge while their lives are being threatened by a psychopath and a local monster referred to wendigos. According to Native American legends, wendigos are formed when you eat human flesh while you are at the point of starvation. 

I continually appreciated the fact that every single decision you make could affect the characters and story. A main theme of the game is the butterfly effect – every choice you make can have far-reaching consequences. I also loved how before a chapter you would be taken to an interactive scene where you talk to a therapist. As you keep proceeding with the game and chapters, you can see a change in his demeanor and a change in his office.

The music in the game is enchanting. Whenever I heard music being played I knew it was gonna be good. I would catch myself dancing along to the songs. Every single one of the songs used in the game fits the theme and vibe, which I’m impressed by because some games struggle to do this. The sounds used make the game suspenseful, especially when getting chased. The intensity literally scared me.

When I got the game I doubted that it was going to be good. I mainly thought Until Dawn was going to be just loud jump scares and suspenseful music. But I became invested in trying to save all the characters and make the best choices I could. It was an intense experience.

The new addition of totems lying around dealt danger, death, loss, guidance, or fortune. Each totem that you find would give you a glimpse into the future, a chance to either stop the future event or prepare for the worst. While playing, I found a death totem that belonged to Emily but I was able to avoid her death. I loved how when getting chased you would have to press a certain button before it’s too late and if you slip up, it could result in the demise of one of the teens.  

But I hated the parts where you would have to hold the controller still because I would be holding it still yet it would say that I moved. Because my goal was to save all the characters I would have to do the same scene multiple times. Another thing I hated: when I thought my choice would have a positive impact, it sometimes made things more difficult and annoying. For example, as Emily hangs from a watch tower that is about to fall, Max has a choice to try and grab and save Emily or to jump off. Obviously, all the weight would be on one side with two of them on one side. It would cause the tower to fall. So I chose to jump down, thinking that Max would try to help Emily after getting down. But instead after jumping down, the entire thing fell with Emily still on it. I was devastated because I thought I killed her. But later it was revealed that she was alive, and I breathed a sigh of relief.  I would recommend playing the game at night if you want to immerse yourself in the fun of fear that’s present throughout. 

Until Dawn is an amazing drama horror game that you should check out if you haven’t played the PS4 version. Even if you don’t like horror games, trust me when I say this: you’re going to get hooked on the many stories told via one-hour chapters. It has one of the best soundtracks I have ever heard in a horror game and a diverse range of characters that you could bond with. The many twists left me shocked and amazed. 

Bronx resident and NYVGCC intern Theresa Afful is finishing first year of high school after graduating Mott Hall III middle school.

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