When Until Dawn was originally released in 2015, it quickly became a cult favourite, offering gamers an anxiety driven, choice-based horror experience with a story inspired by slasher films. The 2024 remake, from British studio Ballistic Moon, revisits this classic with a complete visual overhaul using Unreal Engine 5, gameplay updates and expanded lore. While it doesn’t completely change the story or gameplay, it improves an already great game with modern updates.
Secrets of Blackwood Mountain
The heart of Until Dawn remains the same: eight friends gather at a secluded lodge on Blackwood Mountain, and over the course of a terrifying winter night, they must survive supernatural threats while uncovering dark secrets about the location. The butterfly effect mechanic, which lets your decisions drastically shape the story, is still at the core of the gameplay. Every choice matters, from dialogue options to life-or-death decisions, making it easy to replay the game and experience new outcomes. In that sense, the remake remains faithful to the original formula.
However, the remake introduces improvements in pacing and cinematography, blending the fixed camera angles from the original with a more modern, over-the-shoulder third-person view during certain segments. These changes offer a new level of immersion, making exploration feel more engaging while preserving the tense, cinematic feel that Until Dawn is known for.
A Tale of Survival and Sacrifice
The narrative of Until Dawn hasn’t changed, and that’s a good thing. The story is still an engaging mix of supernatural horror and psychological thriller, with each character facing their own personal demons. The branching storylines and butterfly effect system make each playthrough different from the last, and even after multiple playthroughs, it’s hard to experience every possible outcome.
The game does a great job of creating tension. It kept me on edge with jump scares and psychological horror elements. And the anxiety induced constant looming threat of losing a character due to a wrong decision had me constantly biting my nails. There were multiple times where I questioned choices I made, second-guessing my attempts to save all the characters. There was one decision that still gets me—whether to save Mike or run for help. I chose to run, thinking it would give me more time, but that choice cost me Mike’s life. The guilt and remorse stuck with me through the rest of the game. And, it really shows just how impactful even the smallest decisions can be. It’s a testament to the strength of the writing and game design.
As for replay value, the Until Dawn 2024 remake encourages multiple runs with its branching paths, hidden collectibles, and character-driven storylines. The additional dialogue options and new totems add even more depth to the story, making each playthrough feel fresh.
Fresh Features and Deeper Choices
In terms of gameplay, Until Dawn sticks closely to its original mechanics but introduces a few quality-of-life improvements. The infamous quick-time events (QTEs) are still present. They feel more forgiving this time around, with clearer prompts and a slightly longer window for inputs. This makes the game more accessible, especially for new players who might not be familiar with the genre’s QTE-heavy style.
The 2024 remake also adds new collectibles, hidden lore, and expanded dialogue options, giving longtime fans more to uncover. These extras help flesh out the world of Until Dawn, making each playthrough feel like a more complete experience.
As a longtime fan, I thought I knew every inch of Blackwood Mountain. But, the additional collectibles encouraged me to dig even deeper into the lore. One hidden totem I found showed me a terrifying premonition of what might happen if I took a certain route—and it was enough to make me rethink my strategy entirely. It’s these moments that really make the remake feel fresh, even if you’re familiar with the original.
However, while the remake offers a smoother and more polished gameplay experience, some of the original’s minor flaws persist. The pacing can still drag in certain sections, especially during slower moments of exploration, and the fixed camera angles, while iconic, can feel awkward at times. But for the most part, these are minor complaints in an otherwise well-crafted update.
Elevating the Horror Experience
Where the Until Dawn 2024 remake really stands is its amazing visuals. The original Until Dawn on PS4 was already impressive with its facial capture and realistic character models. But, trust me, this remake takes things even further. Thanks to Unreal Engine 5, Until Dawn now has ray tracing, dynamic lighting, and weather effects. These elements really help to create a heavy, tense feeling on Blackwood Mountain. Whether you’re walking through dark forests or checking out the old, snowy lodge, the details pull you further into the game.
Character models in the game also look better than the original. Facial animations are smoother, and characters’ expressions during critical moments of fear, anger, or relief are much more lifelike. Something new that I thought that was really cool is that the character’s injuries evolve over time. The snow clings to clothing, blood dries into wounds, and the overall visual quality makes this game much more immersive than the 2015 original.
One of my favourite moments was during a tense chase sequence through a snowstorm. The way the light refracted off the snowflakes made it hard to see, and the wind howled, adding to the disorienting feel. It felt like the mountain itself was closing in, which made my choices feel even more stressful. These improvements show how much love and attention went into making this game feel modern, without losing the heart of the original experience.
Until Dawn (2024) delivers a haunting, thrilling adventure with updated visuals and subtle gameplay enhancements
Until Dawn (2024) is a near-perfect remake that stays faithful to its roots while updating the experience for modern audiences. The visual improvements are nothing short of stunning, and the subtle gameplay enhancements make it more accessible without taking away from the original’s charm. Whether you’re a returning fan or someone experiencing Until Dawn for the first time, this remake delivers a haunting, thrilling adventure that’s well worth your time.
While some minor pacing issues and dated gameplay elements still linger, they’re far outweighed by the new layers of immersion and graphical fidelity. Until Dawn has never been more terrifying—or more beautiful.
For die-hard fans of the 2015 original, the new story details and extra choices make it worth playing again. But if you want something completely different, the main story is mostly the same. So, it might not feel like a good purchase unless you really want to experience it again with these updates.
Until Dawn (2024)
Summary
Until Dawn (2024) gives a fresh look to the 2015 PS4 horror classic. It uses Unreal Engine 5 beautiful graphics, smooth animations, and an eerie atmosphere. While the main story and gameplay remain pretty much the same, the updates make it feel new, especially for fans of choice-driven horror. If you loved the original, the new details and choices are worth checking out, but the core story is still mostly the same.
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