Over 90% of positive Steam reviews speak volumes: fans of gripping narratives shouldn’t overlook this immensely impactful prison escape.
When a book, series, film, or – indeed, you anticipated it – a video game starts with the main character being incarcerated in a high-security prison, it’s a strong bet that they are innocent. Such is the premise of Back to the Dawn, a widely praised RPG. What sets it apart, however, is that the protagonists are not human. Metal Head Games and Spiral Up Games plunge you into a world that initially appears delightful, adorned with charming pixel art and anthropomorphic animal figures, but underneath lies a brutal prison existence filled with deceit and peril. Encircled by dubious personalities and a system that prefers you hush, you struggle for survival while attempting to establish your innocence.
On Steam, Back to the Dawn boasts an impressive 92% positive reviews from over 5,000 gamers. The two-year early access phase was exemplary with numerous updates, culminating in the release of the final version 1.0 on July 18—and it’s truly outstanding.
Behind Swedish Veils
At its core, Back to the Dawn intertwines role-playing and life simulation, ingeniously fusing elements of survival simulation, stringent resource management, and intricate social dynamics. You embark on your journey with a significant choice: Will you pick Thomas the Fox, a journalist entangled in murky dealings, or Bob the Panther, an undercover operative on a perilous mission?
Each character brings their unique narrative with over 20 hours of gameplay, branching into different conclusions based on your choices. The prison is not a mere confinement; it is bustling with over 40 distinct animal inmates and a myriad of additional NPCs. Each possesses their routines, traits, preferences, and aversions.
Cultivating connections with these figures is essential. Not only do they unveil new story segments, but they also provide special skills and insights that can aid your survival and escape. A vital aspect of the game is the careful management of your daily time, akin to Persona games, alongside your resources like hunger and money, and various physical attributes. The game applies pressure: you have 21 in-game days, after which you must restart. Every choice you make carries significance and immediate or ultimately far-reaching repercussions. A refined character development system allows you to tailor your skills and even create alliances with the different prison factions. And indeed, there is a turn-based combat mechanism. However, it is often wiser to evade combat whenever feasible.
However…
With two distinct characters, over 100 quests, numerous escape routes, and diverse endings, Back to the Dawn promises between 30 and 60 hours of gameplay. The game is explicitly crafted for multiple playthroughs, supported by an ingenious memory feature that aids you in learning from your missteps and refining your strategies in subsequent attempts.
The engaging story and exceptional writing make it easy to look beyond the amusing appearances of the animal dwellers and into their depths, igniting genuine excitement for their narratives. Furthermore, much of the dialogue is humorously crafted. But take heed, you will need a solid grasp of English, as the more than 500,000 words of text have not yet been translated into German.
The time constraint is another element that may be intimidating initially. Additionally, the learning curve is steep, which is fittingly harsh for a prison-themed game. Nevertheless, for the final release, the developers have introduced a Game Modifier Toolkit alongside the secondary storyline campaign. This tool allows you to adjust how much damage the protagonists can inflict and sustain in combat, for instance.
Editor’s Final Thoughts
Back to the Dawn is a hidden gem I didn’t have on my radar for quite some time. Yes, it’s challenging at the outset – a second try is practically necessary just to comprehend how to utilize my limited time to progress the narrative. But sticking with it pays off with one of the most gripping and fulfilling prison break experiences since the early seasons of Prison Break. Through investigative efforts, strategizing, and shrewdly influencing guards and fellow inmates, I’m inching ever closer to my objective. The dialogue is superbly crafted, and the bonds formed in prison feel authentic and significant. You’re not merely escaping; you become inextricably involved in the dramas of the other inmates. The only downside: to truly grasp their experiences, proficiency in English is a must.
The post It’s rare to come across a story as exciting as Back to the Dawn – and this prison thriller has two of them! appeared first on Global Esport News.