Within the past few years, many people had thought that horror in video games was officially done and over with. Resident Evil channeled their energies up until recently to a more action-esque horror game. The cancelling of PT and Allison Road has been leaving most horror game fans wondering if we are ever going to get that kind of game that quenches our horror cravings. Some also felt that it would not make a comeback because the market was not being user friendly to games of this genre.
Then horror gems such as the demo PT and Outlast have continued to show us that horror games still do have a place in the gaming community, if they are done well. Until Dawn is one of those games. As a game that is filled with great characters, a very original story, and immersive game play it’s hard to not give Until Dawn a good review. What I like about this game is that it doesn’t try to be a recreation of something else, rather they have influences, develop on them, and make them better.
Another thing this game is not based on is jump scares, which for me is good thing. I have seen too many games whether indie or company published, that rely on this as the answer to a horror games problems. Though an impactful element when it comes to the genre itself, too many causes not only boredom but also causes a slight tad bit of an annoyance. So I for one was glad that the development team Supermassive decided to move away from this painfully common notion in horror or survival horror gaming. Though there are jump scares theywere carefully planned out and used tastefully.
Something else to applaud about this game are the third person camera angles. Anyone that has played and loved the camera angles in the first Resident Evil game will understand this point. It does wonders for creating a scary atmosphere in this game. It also creates more of a story telling element as it creates a bonding relationship between you, the character, and the decisions that you make for that character as to whether they will live or die. Though this could be my own personal opinion, I do not feel that this could have given the same results in a first person experience.
The decision making elements in this game are what really makes it stand out. Like The Walking Dead video game series, the decisions you make reflect what happens in the story. However The Walking Dead doesn’t necessarily have things such as zombies weighing down the reality factors of the game. The characters feel very realistic and the decisions actually make you pause and think about the characters you must save in the game. Some characters are less then desirable, while some very likable. To ones that have played the game I’m sure you know the characters that I am talking about. The decisions you have to make in the game do not play favorites though, which makes the game even more realistic.
Even when you believe you are making the right choices, there are always consequences to whatever you choose. The game places the lives of human beings in your hands, as the characters try to get away from a killer who seems like they are willing to do just about anything to make sure everyone dies. Friends vacation back to Blackwood Hills sometime after a character Josh’s sisters Hannah and Beth have mysteriously disappeared on the same grounds.
The games environments makes for an amazing immersive experience in itself as the graphic fidelity is extremely detailed and true to nature itself. What makes this game stand out also above most of the survival horror games is the replay value, as there are many possible endings packed into a 7 to 8 hour game. For the horror movie and game geek, this is the right game to play and for all the right reasons. The characters are great whether you like them or not, the graphics and story are stunning, and the replay value on this game creates an innovative and personal experience as none of the play through are exactly the same.
The game is already out for all that wish to take this scary and terrifying journey through Blackwood Hills, find the answers to all of its secrets and quite possibly have everyone make it out alive.
