Until Dawn PS5 Review: A Terrifyingly Mediocre Horror Experience

The experience of playing Until Dawn on PS5 left me unexpectedly speechless. In an era flooded with remakes and remasters, it’s becoming increasingly uncommon to find wholly original content. Ironically, PlayStation has taken the lead in producing what many would call “unnecessary remakes,”even though the PS4 generation was celebrated for its inventive titles.

That’s not to imply that all PlayStation remakes have been substandard. In fact, I enjoy several released so far, notably Bluepoint Games’ remake of Demon’s Souls, which was a significant reason I purchased a PS5 last year.

Regrettably, the latest remake from PlayStation Studios did not impress me at all. In all honesty, Until Dawn on PS5 left me feeling rather underwhelmed and somewhat disappointed. While this remake features a few commendable elements, the overall experience feels lackluster, unrefined, and ultimately just mediocre.

Until Dawn PS5: An engaging horror journey hindered by technical and artistic flaws

Visuals, presentation, and audio

Right from the start, Until Dawn on PS5 felt somewhat deficient, with a new menu design that lacks the charm of its PS4 predecessor. Although visually acceptable, those familiar with the PS4 version will notice a significant difference. The main menu of the PS4 features a subtle blue tint that complemented the game’s eerie atmosphere.

Character models in the remake are a "hit or miss" (Image via PlayStation) — Character models in the remake are a “hit or miss” (Image via PlayStation)

However, that appealing tint is absent in the remake, replaced by a generic grey/white backdrop. Beyond the menus, the remake fails to capture the intensity of the original, especially regarding character designs. While character models exhibit greater detail and texture, they seem to lack the artistic flair that made the original compelling.

Characters such as Rami Malek’s Josh Washington and Hayden Panettiere’s Sam Giddings appear markedly different from their PS4 portrayals, and not in a favorable way. At times, these characters even come across as robotic and plasticy, which was an unexpected disappointment for a “remake.”

On a more positive note, the remake boasts significantly enhanced lighting. While it doesn’t seem to utilize ray tracing, it does implement improved Global Illumination (GI), which lends a lifelike quality to various scenes.

Additionally, the camera angles in the remake are greatly improved. Moving away from the distant “Resident Evil”style, the new over-the-shoulder perspective enhances immersion. Yet, despite these changes, the controls remain nearly identical to those in the original.

3D Audio adds a ton to the game's atmosphere and immersion (Image via PlayStation) — 3D Audio adds a ton to the game’s atmosphere and immersion (Image via PlayStation)

When it comes to audio, much like the visual components, it’s a mixed experience. On the bright side, the inclusion of 3D Audio is a fantastic enhancement. Furthermore, new ambient sounds in exploration segments significantly elevate immersion.

However, not all aspects of the audio design hit the mark. The remake offers a soundtrack that largely pales in comparison to the original PS4 version. For instance, the opening music has been altered, though not for the better. Personally, I still favor the original soundtrack from the PS4 version.

Gameplay and progression

Turning to gameplay, the core experience of Until Dawn remains largely unchanged. The game continues to be a narrative-driven horror experience that revolves around player choices and their repercussions. Improvements include clearer cues for the story choices and the removal of those awkward pauses between scenes where players make decisions.

Gameplay remains mostly the same, with a few minor tweaks (Image via PlayStation)

This remake feels much more fluid than its predecessor on PS4, likely due to enhanced fidelity and the benefits of the PS5’s SSD. The updated stats screen that tracks player choices and their outcomes is a welcomed addition for Trophy hunters like myself. While I may not pursue the Platinum Trophy for this remake, I know it won’t be a taxing endeavor if I choose to do so soon.

However, if you were hoping for significant gameplay alterations, you may be disappointed. Until Dawn on PS5 remains a narrative-centric experience with minimal traditional gameplay features. It stays true to the point-and-click style of the PS4 original, albeit with a fresh look and a few enhancements.

The shortcomings

In the case of Until Dawn on PS5, it is slightly longer than usual, but for justified reasons. A consistent expectation with PlayStation’s first-party titles is unmatched quality, regardless of which studio is behind the game.

The third-person camera is a good addition, despite the underlying technical issues in the remake (Image via PlayStation)

While there are exceptions like Days Gone and The Last of Us Part 1 on PC, most PlayStation launches tend to be technically sound. Unfortunately, that’s not the case with Until Dawn on PS5, as it joins the list of exceptions.

Upon starting the game for the first time, I experienced an immediate crash back to the dashboard. While this didn’t instill confidence, I attributed it to a temporary glitch. However, crashes persisted throughout my initial eight-hour playthrough, totaling around a dozen interruptions.

In addition to crashes, I also faced various visual glitches, stuttering issues, and gameplay bugs. Furthermore, I encountered stuttering after extended play sessions, reminiscent of issues I faced with another UE5 title, Black Myth Wukong.

The performance struggles of this game on PS5 have me concerned about how the upcoming PC port will fare. Besides these technical troubles, I have a couple of other complaints regarding the remake. While I appreciate the addition of a new ending scene, it feels more like an attempt at sequel bait rather than a genuine effort to reward returning fans.

Some character models are a massive downgrade in the remake (Image via PlayStation)

Additionally, I find it frustrating that the remake, which could easily be labeled a “remaster,”isn’t offered as an upgrade option for existing PS4 owners. A $10 upgrade fee, akin to what is anticipated for the upcoming Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered, would have made more sense. However, as a full-priced title, this remake falls short of what I expect from PlayStation.

It is truly disappointing to see Until Dawn rebooted in such a troubled state. Beneath all the technical and artistic issues lies an engaging and, dare I say, enjoyable narrative that I believe horror enthusiasts would appreciate. Few games capture horror as effectively as Until Dawn, and this remake could have introduced new players to this captivating story.

In conclusion

Until Dawn on PS5 is terrifyingly mediocre (Image via PlayStation)

While Until Dawn on PS5 features positives—such as the impressive 3D Audio implementation and some minor gameplay tweaks—the overall package fails to meet the high standards expected from PlayStation’s premier titles. This remake is riddled with technical challenges and does not significantly enhance the experience when compared to the PS4 version.