(Photo : Sony, Supermassive Games / Screenshot taken from official website)
The remake for Supermassive Games' Until Dawn game just launched and had a troubled opening as it received a "Mixed" reviews summary on Steam.
The latest release is available on PlayStation 5 and PC and has experienced various technical issues and a low player count. The remake of the 2015 title introduces updated visuals and various improvements and changes.
Until Dawn Remake's Troubled Launch
The Until Dawn remake launched on Oct. 4, 2024, and had a price tag of $59.99 and had no option for a discount for players who already owned the original game. This was what many players were not particularly happy with.
This was seen with how the Until Dawn remake debuted to a peak concurrent player count of just 2,607 players on Steam. Other single-player PlayStation games that went to PC generally performed much better, according to IGN.
One example of this is Ghost of Tsushima, which reached 77,154 concurrent players, and God of War which reached 73,529 concurrent players. Another title is Spider-Man with 66,436 concurrent players on Valve's gaming platform.
The troubled launch of the Until Dawn remake marks the latest commercial flop that Sony has experienced following its disastrous time with its hero shooter Concord. The extremely low player count is also giving out reports of various issues inside the game itself.
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Some players have criticized the remake for looking "way worse" than the original title that it is supposed to be an improvement of. They argue that the latest release stipped away the base game's atmosphere just to chase its so-called realism, The Gamer said.
Another factor for the development is the Until Dawn remake's lackluster marketing campaign. Ever since it was revealed earlier this year, the developers have barely shared any trailers or tried to market the game outside of official PlayStation channels.
Various Issues and a Low Player Count
The troubled launch of the remake marks another not-so-great sign for PlayStation's upcoming remasters efforts. Another title that many fans are divisive about is Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered.
The latter is certainly more popular than Until Dawn and is what led to it being more marketed than the horror survival title. However, the sheer lack of people who are interested in a remake of the Horizon Zero Dawn, which is widely available and well-received, could lead to the remaster facing similar troubles.
Until Dawn's story follows eight characters who have to survive on Blackwood Mountain as they wait for the next day's dawn. Players will be forced to make decisions throughout the night that will influence the story. These will also affect the characters' relationships with one another, according to Game Rant.
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