Horror games like Until Dawn represent creative and innovative ideas that can make a simple premise seem compelling. The gameplay elements keep the audiences on edge as they anticipate whatever horrors are lurking ahead.
Why Do People Like Horror Games Like Until Dawn?
The logic behind people hesitating to move forward in a horror game like Until Dawn is that people fear the unknown. Also, if a horror game’s got you scared, it’s done its job magnificently.
Until Dawn is a gaming experiment within the horror genre that fans will enjoy. The game’s premise is like a cringe-fest teen drama regarding interaction and dialogue between the main characters. However, the scares, atmosphere, and tension that builds up with each scene is a masterclass in storytelling.
The timed window for choices and how each decision impacts the narrative brings a sense of high stakes, which the developers executed superbly. There are multiple endings in Until Dawn, each determined by who has survived from the main cast, if any. All characters may be dead at the end of the game, or everyone is alive; the possibilities are many.
The moral dilemmas and how each person’s selflessness or selfishness plays a part in their survival is another aspect explored in games like Until Dawn. Going through a harrowing experience of facing supernatural creatures and psychotic murderers shapes the protagonist’s personality.
People love games like Until Dawn because of their scary monsters, who show up when you least expect them. In Until Dawn, players face the terrifying Wendigo that stalks the characters. The creature has frightening physical features and agile reflexes with powerful limbs and sharp claws. The Wendigo’s growl is menacing and intimidating; players should bail if they hear it.
Other Horror Games Like Until Dawn
Okay, now that we’ve established why people like Until Dawn, people often ask us if there are similar games. We tell them, of course, there are! Today, we’ll dive into 7 of the best alternatives to games like Until Dawn.
Let’s begin!
7. The Callisto Protocol
Okay! For the first title on our list of games like Until Dawn, we have a newcomer that few people liked, meaning it’s underrated. We’re talking about The Callisto Protocol, the sci-fi epic with brilliant horror elements incorporated into the game.
The creators of Callisto Protocol talked about the game as the spiritual successor of the original Dead Space. The similar space setting is also a dead giveaway, but that’s where the differences end. The Callisto Protocol has an entirely different environment, with the Black Iron Prison situated on the moon of Jupiter, the titular Callisto.
The protagonist, Jacob Lee, is a space ferryman who plans on retiring after his last delivery to the space prison. Things go haywire, and he becomes stranded due to a pandemic that turns the inmates into rabid, flesh-eating monstrosities. He fights them off while receiving support from an independent organization against the Black Iron Prison. The conflict escalates when the Prison Warden and his underlings attempt to silence Jacob, creating a solid, engaging premise.
As for the gameplay of The Callisto Protocol, players familiar with classic Dead Space control schemes and mechanics will feel at home. The third-person action helps create a cinematic feel as the infected prisoners mutate and come after Jacob. The weapons are diverse enough that the gameplay isn’t repetitive, and melee encounters are intensely entertaining when players kill enemies.
How Is The Callisto Protocol Similar To Horror Adventure Games Like Until Dawn?
The Callisto Protocol is an excellent choice for players who want to experience a game with a similar feel but in a vastly different setting to Until Dawn. Both titles have protagonists who deal with messy situations and operate in a grey area. In Until Dawn, the character’s it’s possible to make characters’ personalities selfish but have redemption for them. Similarly, in The Callistor Protocol, Jacob is aware of the unethical acts in the Black Iron Prison but later openly opposes the Warden.
Another comparison point for the two titles is that they have quick-time events. For better or worse, players deal with the game mechanic. In our experience, the QTEs are well worth it because they’re intense and well-paced in both games.
The apparent similarities make it easy to see why The Callisto Protocol is similar to games like Until Dawn.
6. Fatal Frame: Maiden Of Black Water
Ritualistic ceremonies involving sacrifices are never a good sign. So when the offering doesn’t happen, the constant danger of ghosts haunting automatically rises. If this sounds intriguing, congratulations! You’ve got excellent taste for horror stories (like us!) Also, it’s the premise of Fatal Frame: Maiden Of Black Water.
Starring a trio of protagonists, Fatal Frame: Maiden Of Black Water creates a compelling narrative with multiple points of view. Each character’s story arc has its own identity, with overlaps that make players fully invested in seeing how things wrap. The backstories of the antagonists make the terrifying spirits seem sympathetic, which is not something many games dive into.
The game’s central location is the exotic outdoors near the fictional Hikami mountain. The spooky theme in the dark forest and the eerie air of uneasiness around every other locale make players approach the exploration cautiously. There is a wetness meter for the protagonists, a double-edged sword mechanic. High wetness results in more significant damage to the ghosts but also increases their numbers.
The gameplay of Fatal Frame: Maiden Of Black Water resembles the traits of previous installments. During exploration, the protagonists discover documents with important information and plot revelations that help move the story. Lastly, the Camera Obscura is the only defense against ghosts. Taking pictures of ghost damage them, and the titular Fatal Frame is the critical hit that eliminates the ghosts.
How Is The Fatal Frame: Maiden Of Black Water Similar To Horror Adventure Games Like Until Dawn?
Fatal Frame: Maiden Of Black Water has an incredibly engaging storyline, with possible bad and good endings for its main trio protagonists. Until Dawn is all about multiple protagonists with various endings for each of them. In this sense, both titles are highly similar.
Another reason that Fatal Frame: Maiden Of Black Water is in the same category as games like Until Dawn is the antagonists. Fatal Frame: Maiden Of Black Water has more than one, each with disfigurements and a grotesque appearance with unsettling features that make them frightening. In Until Dawn, the Wendigos are the primary threat. They’re ugly as hell, violent, sad*stic, and deceptively cunning. They goad players into making mistakes to capitalize and kill them.
With so many comparative points, it’s unsurprising that Fatal Frame: Maiden Of Black Water is a great game for fans of Until Dawn.
5. The Evil Within
The Evil Within perfectly captures the essence of survival horror and has a throwback feel to classic games of the genre. Players will find the game extremely difficult to adjust to, particularly those who like modern games with fast-paced gameplay. The Evil Within’s protagonist, Sebastian Castellanos, reacts to the game’s brutal and violent antagonists like a regular person, making him instantly relatable.
Sebastian’s flaws in the character notes found throughout the game highlight his psyche’s painful trauma, making him sympathetic and likable. Plus, Sebastian can’t overpower any boss fight. He can’t directly cause damage to most enemies and must rely on ingenuity and resourcefulness to win. The enemy corpses must be set on fire to ensure they don’t resurrect.
The mystery of the murders at Beacon mental hospital is the event that kicks off the story. Sebastian investigates with his team, only to find himself dragged into an alternate dimension. He must survive onslaughts from horrifying creatures and fend them off while finding an escape. After progression, players discover a grand conspiracy of a shadow organization, Mobius is at work. The perspective regarding the main antagonist, Ruvik, shifts from a menacing and evil person to a victim of unfortunate circ*mstances.
The enemy designs evoke fear, and their twisted physiques only make them appear menacing. The relentless pursuit from bosses is panic-inducing, and players must think on their feet to bypass them. Sometimes there are scripted sequences with QTE that up the ante with macabre surroundings closing in on players.
How Is The Evil Within Similar To Horror Adventure Games Like Until Dawn?
Until Dawn provides players with authentic survivalist gameplay with fight-or-flight responses galore. The short time window for making decisions creates a sense of urgency that drives players to choose the path forward. While The Evil Within doesn’t have choices in storytelling, the thematic survival horror setting is the same. Sebastian’s journey requires constantly moving to avoid dangerous supernatural enemies that can kill him instantly.
The Evil Within resembles Until Dawn because the two titles have unique antagonists. Wendigos from Until Dawn and the Spider-lady from The Evil Within have unpredictable movements. They both appear at different points, cranking up the intensity with each counter. Cannibalism is the source of the curse in Until Dawn, whereas Ruvik’s abuse is the cause of the havoc in The Evil Within.
Given that the two titles share many traits that are alike, it’s evident that The Evil Within is similar to games like Until Dawn.
4. Resident Evil 2 (Remake)
The game, which many people have fond memories of, gets the modern remake treatment, and the result is spectacular. Resident Evil 2 (Remake) is the quintessential survival horror game that many consider the apex example of the genre. When playing the game for the first time, players experience the depth and scope that Capcom incorporated within it.
The naive personality of Leon Kennedy during his amateur cop days and Claire Redfield’s braveheart efforts to find her brother are excellent points of view. Despite the swarm of zombies, both protagonists have the staunch resolve to help anyone that needs it. They are perfect foils to the corrupt Umbrella Corporation, the pharmaceutical company responsible for the zombie outbreak.
Players start with the standard weapons from the Resident Evil series, such as handguns and the combat knife. Later, players receive better firearms like a high-impact shotgun and a fast-shooting rifle. Grenades and flash bangs help in creating space to escape or strategically shoot the zombies at a safe distance. All weapons have upgrades that do increased damage, give a bigger magazine capacity, or increase the fire rate.
The Resident Evil engine has gone through a major overhaul that provides crisp animations and beautiful graphics. The cutscenes and gameplay have jaw-dropping visuals that capture the true terror of the horrific setting of Resident Evil 2 (Remake). The tyrant and his different mutated forms, in particular, make our skin crawl and have us trembling with fear simultaneously. The gameplay is linear, with a third-person perspective that helps players appreciate the fantastic atmosphere.
How Is The Resident Evil 2 (Remake) Similar To Horror Adventure Games Like Until Dawn?
Until Dawn took inspiration from Resident Evil 2’s original game, the suspenseful ambiance and shocking transformation twists are aplenty in both titles. Character motivations of the NPCs are a mystery in both games, creating curiosity for players to uncover the whole story. Plus, we can play more than one character in both games, giving a new perspective to the plot, which is fantastic.
Another common factor between the two games is that the gameplay encourages exploration. Finding notes provide backstories for subplots, and items in the environment are combinable to create makeshift weapons. Plus, the main bosses are terrifying encounters, and discovering new hiding spots help avoid them.
The mentioned similarities are more than enough to categorize Resident Evil 2 (Remake) as similar to other games like Until Dawn.
3. Darkwood
Imagine a life where nature turns sinister and takes hold of everything around you. No escape is possible; people morph into abominations that present moral dilemmas at every turn. The game we’re talking about is Darkwood, and we can’t gush enough about its themes of isolation and dread.
The gameplay of Darkwood combines open-world exploration with survival mechanics. Using stealth is almost mandatory to ensure the protagonist isn’t under attack constantly by dangerous creatures. The upgrade path in Darkwood consists of a unique skill system that imposes a negative penalty with each perk. Every new world map section has distinctive designs that make them stand apart, and there is decent enemy variety.
The musical score in Darkwood creates an immersive and soul-stirring mood that tests players’ bravery to face its many challenges. The main character wakes up without remembering how he got to wherever he is. Players learn that the forest is sentient and won’t let anyone leave, so they must explore and find an escape. The NPCs have grotesque designs, and many of their subplots alter the state of the world depending on player choices.
The nighttime in Darkwood is incredibly haunting. Players must prepare by scavenging during the day. Finding fuel for generators is of the utmost importance, so there’s power at their base to fight off the invaders. The players can convert scrap to assemble traps and oil to set up choke points to keep invaders at bay.
How Is Darkwood Similar To Horror Adventure Games Like Until Dawn?
Darkwood and Until Dawn, at first glance, appear opposite games on the surface. However, you’ll see things differently if you inspect their many common elements. For starters, the two titles have choice-based consequences that drastically alter the future direction of the story and the state of the world.
Players can easily engage in multiple playthroughs to try different playstyles in both games. Both games have thought-provoking narratives that don’t necessarily rely on traditional horror elements like jumpscares. The tension and anticipation build up before enemy encounters, and each one is memorable. Both games also require players to be quick and learn ways to adapt for survival.
With so many recurring gameplay elements and themes, we’re justified in putting Darkwood on our list of games like Until Dawn.
2. Dead Space (Remake)
Okay, we’re at the runner-up spot on our list of games like Until Dawn, meaning we’ve officially entered G.O.A.T territory. We can think of no better title than Dead Space (Remake) to usher us into the current renaissance of horror game remakes.
Players of the original game will feel a mix of nostalgia and paranoia as the events of the remake occur. The isolation of series protagonist Isaac Clarke in Ishimura’s twisted space station immediately creates anxiety. Players must navigate the entirety of the Ishimura space station, which is vast, but there are also confined spaces that exude uneasiness.
Gameplay mechanics allows Isaac to use plasma weapons to attack enemies directly or at their limbs. Severing enemy limbs slows them down and provides a melee opening For Isaac to finish them permanently. The gravity module is for putting a static field around objects and even enemies to create a timed window for traversal or combat.
Dead Space (Remake) has a thrilling story that has received slight variations from the original. The gorgeous graphics make each scene feel impactful, and the facial animations portray the genuine emotions of the voice actors. The sound design is top-notch, and every echo in the distance puts players on edge. Even backtracking between the cleared sections of the Ishimura, players aren’t safe from the Necromorphs, they must tread lightly.
How Is Dead Space (Remake) Similar To Horror Adventure Games Like Until Dawn?
Right off the bat, the most obvious comparison between the two games is the supernatural threat present. In Dead Space (Remake), the necromorphs are prowling everywhere within the Ishimura, while in Until Dawn, Wendigos are also stalking everyone. Both antagonists can strike from the shadows and are deceptively agile. They have predatory instincts that make them dangerous adversaries.
Until Dawn and Dead Space (Remake) masterfully build the tension and create chilling scares. The games don’t shy away from showing gore, blood, and violence. The depiction of savage brutality in both titles isn’t for the faint of heart but is necessary to emphasize the threats players face. The developers handled the supernatural elements with the care that they made sense in both games and did not downright change the genre into fantasy.
Judging by their numerous comparisons, it’s absolutely true that Dead Space (Remake) is similar to games like Until Dawn.
1. Alien Isolation
Get ready~ We’re at the top spot on our list of games like Until Dawn. The undisputed king of adventure horror games is none other than Alien Isolation; let us explain why. The Alien franchise’s titular Alien, known as Xenomorph, is an imposing and blood-curdling horror film icon. The developers perfectly captured Alien’s essence and transitioned it to the Alien Isolation game.
The story of Alien Isolation features Amanda Ripley, a space engineer stranded on a spaceship when searching for her mother. Things worsen when the spaceship malfunctions pile up, and the Androids and hostile humans come after her. The real threat is the Xenomorph alien, the ultimate horror game antagonist, and it’s after Amanda.
The gameplay consists of crafting mechanics that require navigating the spaceship, which is tricky because the Alien is always in pursuit. Using stealth to escape the Alien is always intense and nerve-wracking. The game won’t let players kill the Alien, only make it retreat, and that too if the players progress enough to get the flamethrower. Otherwise, players must use hiding spots and remain still to hold their breath to avoid detection by the Xenomorph.
Words cannot do justice to the chills players will experience, seeing the Xenomorph up close. So play the game yourself and you’ll see why we hold it in such high regard.
How Is Alien Isolation Similar To Horror Adventure Games Like Until Dawn?
Alien Isolation and Until Dawn share similar themes that players who’ve played both games will notice. The Wendigos in Until Dawn share predatory characteristics identical to the Xenomorph from Alein Isolation. Both sad*stic creatures don’t give any opening to players, and only through timely and intelligent decision-making, plus a little luck, can players survive.
In Alien Isolation, players must focus on hiding, and no direct conflict with the Xenomorph is fully successful until the end of the game. Wendigos are also formidable foes that players can’t kill directly, and even if they do, the spirits possess someone else and they become one. Hiding from the two fierce and cunning creatures is the safest option of surviving in both games.
Both games feature cinematic kills worthy of rivaling Final Destination movies, so you know you’re in for a blood bath if a character dies. The commonalities between the two titles reflect our point that Alien Isolation is similar to other games like Until Dawn.
Final Thoughts
Phew~ that’s all for our list of horror games similar to Until Dawn. We’ve balanced out current releases with a few classics to cater to a broader player base, so there’s something for everyone. We’re not saying our personal bias didn’t have a hand in our selections, but that’s not an issue. All the listed titles are fantastic and worth playing.
Let us know your thoughts on our picks in the comments below, and share your favorites; we’d love to hear from you. If you like to see more gaming lists, check out 8 Best Platform Co-op Games Like It Takes Two.
