Key Takeaways
- Visuals Shine, Gameplay Stagnates: Beautiful upgrades are undermined by sluggish controls and few mechanical improvements.
- Price Over Performance: With no upgrade path and frequent crashes, the cost outweighs the benefits.
- Skip or Wait for a Sale: Unless you’re a die-hard fan, the original version remains the better value.
The 2024 Until Dawn remake is a classic case of style over substance. Built from the ground up in Unreal Engine 5 by Ballistic Moon, it certainly looks like a premium PS5 experience—but beneath the new coat of digital paint lies a game nearly identical to the 2015 original. Unfortunately, what’s missing are meaningful improvements to gameplay, performance, or value.
Visually Revamped But Mechanically Familiar
There’s no denying that Until Dawn’s mountain setting and cast of doomed teens look better than ever. Enhanced textures, lighting, and subtle environmental flourishes like dynamic snow effects add a cinematic layer of immersion. Yet, when it comes to how the game plays, it’s almost a one-to-one copy of its predecessor.
The original’s fixed camera has been replaced with an over-the-shoulder perspective à la Silent Hill 2 Remake, offering more freedom to explore. However, the change dilutes the cinematic tension and turns Until Dawn into a clumsier survival-horror hybrid. Worse, the sluggish character movement and removal of the run feature make exploration feel like a chore.
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Performance Woes and Questionable Design Choices
While the graphics have been significantly upgraded, the game pays the price with inconsistent frame rates and a troubling crash rate—some players reporting half a dozen crashes before the game’s halfway point. In a narrative-driven horror experience, such interruptions are particularly immersion-breaking.
Gameplay tweaks like the new totem-inspection mechanic feel unnecessary and even frustrating. What was once a simple and satisfying collectible system has become a fiddly, multi-step process that slows pacing without adding value.
No Upgrade Path, High Price Tag
Perhaps the biggest scare comes from the price. This remake costs over four times as much as the original Until Dawn, which still runs smoothly on PS5 thanks to backwards compatibility. Unlike other Sony titles like Horizon Zero Dawn or The Last of Us Part II, there’s no upgrade path for returning players. For a game that adds almost nothing new, that’s a tough pill to swallow.
Final Verdict
The 2024 Until Dawn remake looks stunning and remains a fun, blood-soaked love letter to horror cinema—but that’s where the praise ends. With barely any meaningful improvements, disappointing performance, and a sky-high price tag, this remake feels more like a missed opportunity than a revitalized classic.
Disclaimer: The information in this article is for general purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. The author’s views are personal and may not reflect the views of GameDegen.com. Before making any investment decisions, you should always conduct your own research. GameDegen.com is not responsible for any financial losses.
