Sony’s January 2024 State of Play brought thrilling news for horror game enthusiasts: “Until Dawn,” the acclaimed 2015 interactive horror game, is set to receive a remaster. This announcement, confirming weeks of speculation, also aligns with the development of a live-action “Until Dawn” movie, further expanding the franchise’s reach.
The remastered version’s trailer tantalized fans with visually enhanced snippets, showcasing iconic elements from the original game such as a hot tub scene, a mysterious wet footprint on a hardwood floor, and an eerie dollhouse. Notably, it included a glimpse of Hayden Panettiere’s character, reminding fans of the game’s star-studded cast, which also featured Rami Malek before his rise to fame.
Scheduled for release in 2025, the remastered “Until Dawn” is set to launch on PlayStation 5 and PC. While the exact release dates for both platforms remain unconfirmed, it’s clear that Ballistic Moon is at the helm of development.
The Revival of a Horror Classic: Until Dawn Remastered
The PC version, rumored to be in the capable hands of Virtuos, an outsourcing studio known for its work on significant titles like “The Outer Worlds,” “Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order,” and “Horizon Zero Dawn,” promises to bring the horror experience to a wider audience.
This remaster coincides with the exciting news of an “Until Dawn” live-action film. Directed by David F. Sandberg, known for his work on “Lights Out” and the “Shazam” movies, the film represents the latest endeavor in the line of PlayStation Productions projects.
This initiative has already seen success with the adaptation of “The Last of Us” into a critically acclaimed show and is set to include upcoming TV adaptations of “Horizon Zero Dawn” and “God of War.”
From Game to Screen: The Expanding Universe of Until Dawn
“Until Dawn” originally captured the essence of a slasher movie in an interactive game format, where players control the fate of eight friends trapped in a mountain lodge during a blizzard. The game’s branching narrative, influenced by player choices and quick-time events, can strengthen relationships, lead to dire consequences, or even result in a character’s demise.
The game’s unique approach to storytelling and gameplay, combined with its cinematic quality, earned it a dedicated fanbase. Since its initial release as a PlayStation 4 exclusive, developer Supermassive Games has expanded its portfolio with similar interactive horror titles, including in-universe spinoffs and the 2022 release “The Quarry,” a spiritual successor to “Until Dawn.”