Until Dawn Remake on PS5: A Disappointing Debut Compared to Concord

No one asked for a Until Dawn remake, yet fans still have one. Most hoped the remake would deliver a fresh feel on the PlayStation 5. However, upon its release, the game struggled to garner the attention it deserved, particularly compared to Sony’s other remake releases, like Demon Souls. The original release quickly became a classic for PlayStation 4 players. While it would never be considered one of the greatest games ever, it succeeded in one of the most difficult genres. Selling 4.03 million copies as a horror game is no small task. Sadly, no one cares about that remake, and that is likely why it has fewer players than Concord.

According to True Trophies, the player count for Until Dawn on PlayStation 5 upon launch is one of the worst that the console has seen this year, and is somehow 28.6 percent smaller than even Concord’s player count at launch. The gamer points out, “Until Dawn is admittedly doing better on Steam than Concord did, though it only managed a peak player count of 2,607 while launching on a new platform for the first time. That still isn’t great.”

The Origins of Until Dawn

Until Dawn was initially launched in 2015 as a horror game where players’ decisions dictated the outcome. Set in an isolated mountain lodge, the story follows a group of friends who are hunted by a terrifying killer. The game garnered a strong fanbase due to its blend of psychological horror, decision-based gameplay, and compelling narrative. Players’ choices would affect the characters’ survival, giving the game high replayability.

However, the truth is that this title never needed a rerelease. PS4 games do not need a PS5 remaster or remake. While the improved graphics are noticed, they are not worth another $60. It is hard to figure out exactly who this remake is for. I can only assume that they were trying to capture a new audience instead of converting the old one. Maybe the thought process was that if they announced a remake, it would capture headlines and garner interest from a fanbase that did not know about the original.

If that was the goal, they where better off simply releasing a DLC and paying a bunch of streamers to play the game. Regardless, that is not what they did, and now here we are.

Expectations vs Reality: The PS5 Remake

I would love to say that expectations for this game were high, but no one really cared. While I am sure some people were excited about the graphic boost, it was never going to be enough. People are starting to get tired of the rehash. We see it everywhere now. In music, in movies, and most of all in video games. When people wear the term remake for remaster, they immediately think of a cash grab. While some remakes are nothing short of amazing, there have been too many failed attempts. For every final fantasy remake, there is a Saints row. For every resident evil, there is a GTA.

A big contributing factor to Until Dawn’s lackluster debut is the technical issues that plagued the remake. Players reported experiencing frame rate drops, glitches, and other performance problems that impacted the gameplay experience. For a game as immersive as Until Dawn, these issues are particularly detrimental. The immersive horror experience relies heavily on fluid graphics, sound design, and seamless controls. Any disruption, such as frame drops, can break the tension and ruin the atmosphere.

Sony has not been shy about acknowledging these issues, though they have not yet issued a large-scale patch to resolve them. The poor performance was unexpected for a PS5 title, and as a result, many players were left disappointed. Many prefer the PS4 version because they believe it runs better.

Comparison to Concord’s Launch

Sony is still reeling from the disaster launch of Concord. While Until Dawn is nowhere near that scale of disaster, the flop still sucks. It is estimated that the original 2025 version had a budget of about 50 to 90 million. It is unclear how much the remake costs, but I would say it is not that far off. On the bright side, it could have cost you $200 and the acquisition of a studio.

While Until Dawn may not be facing the same fate as Concord, the comparison underscores just how far the game has fallen short of expectations. As I have said earlier, Reports indicate that the Until Dawn remake saw 28.6% fewer players than Concord and 98.5% fewer players than The Last of Us Part II, a standout Sony release in the same genre of narrative-driven games.

What Went Wrong?

Thus, let’s ask the big question. What went wrong here? Several factors likely contributed to the disappointing debut of Until Dawn on PS5:

Firstly, Competition from Other Titles. The gaming market is saturated with releases, and Until Dawn faced stiff competition from other, newer games. This makes it harder for the remake to capture attention, despite its established fanbase. Secondly, Technical Issues. As mentioned earlier, technical problems played a significant role in the game’s poor reception. Performance issues in a next-gen remake are especially disappointing for players expecting a flawless experience.

Then, there is also a comparison between the original version and the remake. When fans feel that they get a better experience on the previous gen version, you will not convert them. Most agree that the graphical difference is noticeable. However, is that difference enough when you are struggling with a smooth experience?

Where Does Until Dawn Go from Here?

Despite its rough start, Until Dawn still has potential. The core of the game remains engaging, and with the right updates and patches, the technical issues could be resolved. If Sony listens to fan feedback and improves the game’s performance, it could still regain momentum. Additionally, Until Dawn could benefit from strategic marketing. The nostalgia factor is a powerful tool, but it needs to be leveraged effectively. In the end, they are better off marketing the title to new players. Nostalgia is great for a title with 10 million plus players, but with 4 million sales, it might not be enough.

The Until Dawn PS5 remake was supposed to be a triumphant return for one of Sony’s most beloved horror titles, but its launch has been met with disappointment. Lower player numbers than the ill-fated Concord, technical issues, and the unexpected superiority of the original PS4 version have all contributed to the game’s underwhelming debut.