The gaming world changed forever when Until Dawn burst onto the scene in 2015, redefining what interactive horror could be. With its butterfly effect system, where every choice had genuine consequences, and cinematically beautiful graphics that blurred the line between games and movies, it created a new standard for narrative-driven horror experiences. If you've finished Until Dawn and are hungry for more spine-chilling decision-based adventures, you're in the right place.
Let's begin our journey through the best choice-driven horror experiences gaming has to offer in 2025.
The Quarry
- Developer: Supermassive Games
- Platform: PC (Steam), PlayStation 4|5, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One
- Release Date: 10 June 2022
Developed by Supermassive Games, the same studio behind Until Dawn, The Quarry is perhaps the closest spiritual successor you'll find. Set in Hackett's Quarry summer camp, this teen-horror adventure features:
- A star-studded cast including David Arquette and Ariel Winter
- 186 unique endings based on your choices
- Enhanced graphics utilizing Unreal Engine 4
- More streamlined gameplay mechanics while maintaining depth
- Optional movie mode for those who prefer to watch the story unfold
- Local and online multiplayer options
What sets it apart: The Quarry builds on Until Dawn's foundation with improved accessibility options and more nuanced character relationships.
Heavy Rain
- Developer: Quantic Dream
- Platform: PC (Steam), PlayStation 3|4
- Release Date: 18 February 2010
Heavy Rain stands as a groundbreaking interactive drama that revolutionized narrative-driven gaming. Like Until Dawn, it masterfully weaves multiple character perspectives into a gripping thriller, but takes a darker, more grounded approach.
The game follows four protagonists whose lives intertwine in the hunt for the Origami Killer, a serial murderer who drowns his victims during extended periods of rainfall. What sets Heavy Rain apart is its mature storytelling and innovative "interactive film" mechanics, where every decision, no matter how small, can lead to drastically different outcomes - including the death of main characters. While Until Dawn embraces teenage horror movie tropes, Heavy Rain delves into the psychological trauma of loss, redemption, and moral ambiguity. Quantic Dream's attention to detail, from the rain-soaked environments to the subtle facial animations, creates an atmospheric experience that keeps players on edge throughout its roughly 10-hour journey.
Detroit: Become Human
- Developer: Quantic Dream
- Platform: PC (Steam), PlayStation 4
- Release Date: 25 May 2018
Detroit: Become Human shares Until Dawn's DNA of branching narratives but ventures into more philosophical territory. Set in a near-future Detroit, this interactive drama follows three androids questioning their programmed existence. Like Until Dawn's butterfly effect system, players' choices ripple through the story, but instead of teen horror tropes, Detroit tackles themes of consciousness and civil rights. Every decision shapes not just individual character fates, but the future of human-android relations. With stunning visuals, multiple playable characters, and countless possible endings, it elevates the choice-driven gameplay that Until Dawn helped popularize.
Beyond: Two Souls
- Developer: Quantic Dream
- Platform: PC, PlayStation 3|4
- Release Date: 8 October 2013
Like Until Dawn's supernatural elements, Beyond: Two Souls weaves paranormal activity into its core narrative, but takes a more personal approach. Following Jodie Holmes and her ethereal companion Aiden throughout her life, the game blends supernatural thriller with emotional storytelling. While Until Dawn focuses on survival horror decisions, Beyond explores the intimate bond between a girl and her mysterious spirit companion. The nonlinear storytelling and motion-captured performances from Ellen Page and Willem Dafoe create a cinematic experience that emphasizes character development over horror, though both games share DNA in their interactive drama roots.
The Dark Pictures Anthology
This series of standalone horror games offers shorter but equally intense experiences:
Man of Medan
- Developer: Supermassive Games
- Platform: PC, PlayStation 4|5, Switch
- Release Date: 30 August 2019
Created by the same developers as Until Dawn, Man of Medan kicks off The Dark Pictures Anthology with familiar horror DNA but on a ghost ship setting. Like its spiritual predecessor, players guide multiple characters through a terrifying night where choices determine their survival. However, while Until Dawn trapped players in a snowy mountain lodge, Man of Medan confines them to a claustrophobic WW2 vessel. The game innovates with multiplayer options - both online and local co-op - allowing friends to experience the branching horror together, something Until Dawn fans wished they had.
Little Hope
- Developer: Supermassive Games
- Platform: PC, PlayStation 4|5, Switch
- Release Date: 30 October 2020
Following Man of Medan, Little Hope continues The Dark Pictures Anthology but draws closer to Until Dawn's formula by returning to a fog-shrouded, isolated town. Similar to Until Dawn's wendigo mythology, Little Hope weaves historical witch trials into its horror narrative. Both games trap their characters in a nightmarish location where past atrocities fuel present terror. However, while Until Dawn maintained a straightforward timeline, Little Hope plays with temporal shifts, connecting modern-day protagonists with their 17th-century counterparts through an intricate plot that challenges players' perceptions.
House of Ashes
- Developer: Supermassive Games
- Platform: PC, PlayStation 4|5
- Release Date: 22 October 2021
House of Ashes evolves the formula pioneered by Until Dawn by transporting players from snowy peaks to underground caverns of Iraq. While Until Dawn pitted teenagers against wendigos, House of Ashes sees hardened soldiers facing ancient Sumerian monsters. Both games excel at building tension through creature encounters, but House of Ashes adds military combat dynamics and explores deeper themes of war and prejudice. The game maintains the series' signature branching narrative but ups the action quotient, blending survival horror with military thriller elements while retaining the cinematic quality that made Until Dawn a standout.
The Devil in Me
- Developer: Supermassive Games
- Platform: PC, PlayStation 4|5
- Release Date: 18 November 2022
The Devil in Me concludes the first season of The Dark Pictures Anthology by drawing inspiration from real-life serial killer H.H. Holmes, much like how Until Dawn reimagined wendigo folklore. While Until Dawn trapped teens in a mountain lodge, this entry confines a documentary crew in a modern recreation of Holmes' "Murder Castle." Both games master environmental storytelling, but The Devil in Me leans into more realistic horror, replacing supernatural threats with intricate death traps and a human killer. It also innovates on Until Dawn's formula by adding inventory management and simple puzzle mechanics.
Life is Strange: True Colors
- Developer: Quantic Dream
- Platform: PC, PlayStation 4|5, Xbox, Switch
- Release Date: 10 September 2021
While Until Dawn mastered choice-based horror, Life is Strange: True Colors channels player decisions into a more intimate, supernatural drama. Following Alex Chen, an empath who can visualize and absorb others' emotions, the game trades jump scares for emotional depth. Both titles feature young protagonists uncovering dark secrets, but True Colors swaps Until Dawn's survival horror for small-town mystery. Instead of racing to stay alive, players use Alex's psychic abilities to unravel the truth behind her brother's death, creating a narrative where emotional connections matter more than physical survival.
Oxenfree II: Lost Signals
- Developer: Night School Studio
- Platform: PC, PlayStation 4|5, Switch, Android, iOS
- Release Date: 12 July 2023
Like Until Dawn's supernatural horror, Oxenfree II: Lost Signals weaves otherworldly elements through its narrative, but opts for retro-styled 2D presentation over photorealism. While Until Dawn focused on teen survival horror tropes, Oxenfree II follows Riley's return to her hometown to investigate mysterious radio signals. Both games feature timeline manipulation, but Oxenfree II embraces it as a core mechanic through its radio-tuning system. The game builds on the original's naturalistic dialogue system while exploring deeper themes of time, loss, and belonging – creating a more contemplative horror experience than Until Dawn's visceral thrills.
The Walking Dead Series
- Developer: Telltale Games
- Platform: PC, macOS, PlayStation 3|4, Switch, Android, iOS
- Release Date: 10 September 2019
While Until Dawn revolutionized teen horror gaming, The Walking Dead pioneered emotional choice-driven narratives in the zombie apocalypse genre. Like Until Dawn's butterfly effect system, player decisions ripple throughout the series, but the stakes feel more personal as you guide Lee and Clementine's surrogate father-daughter relationship. Both games force players to make split-second decisions that determine survival, but The Walking Dead emphasizes moral choices over quick-time events, creating gut-wrenching moments where there's often no "right" answer. Every choice carries the weight of human connection rather than just physical survival.
Finding Your Perfect Until Dawn Alternative
After thoroughly exploring the landscape of choice-driven horror games in 2025, it's clear that while nothing exactly replicates Until Dawn's unique magic, several excellent alternatives exist depending on your specific interests.
If You Loved Until Dawn's Horror Elements
Focus on The Dark Pictures Anthology or The Quarry. These games maintain the perfect balance between supernatural threats and psychological horror while letting your choices determine who lives and dies.
If You Preferred the Choice Mechanics
Detroit: Become Human or Heavy Rain offer the most sophisticated choice systems, with incredibly detailed branching paths and consequences that ripple throughout the entire story.
If You Want Something More Modern
The Quarry and Life is Strange: True Colors offer the most up-to-date graphics and gameplay mechanics, taking full advantage of current-gen hardware.
If You're on a Budget
Oxenfree II and older titles like Heavy Rain (remastered) provide excellent value while maintaining high quality storytelling and choice-driven gameplay.
The interactive horror genre continues to evolve, and each of these games brings something unique to the table. Whether you're looking for pure horror, complex narratives, or cutting-edge graphics, there's never been a better time to explore these engaging, choice-driven experiences.
Enjoy~
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