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Without a Dawn

Without a Dawn

PC
Released

Release Date: May 19, 2025

Adventure, Horror, Visual Novel, Indie Games, Experimental/artistic, Singleplayer

A visual novel set in a style of a psychological horror, made by the developer behind Distraint series. The visual aspect of Without a Dawn was inspired by the ASCII technique. We play as a woman who ventures into the cabin in the wilds to try and overcome her inner demons.

9.6

Steam

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Ratings
[0:58] - Gameplay Trailer Videos: 1
Screenshot Images: 8
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Without a Dawn is a psychological horror presented as a visual novel production. The development of this game was done by Jesse Makkonen - an independent Finnish developer, who has thought-provoking adventure games under the Distraint brand in his portfolio.

Story

In Without a Dawn we play as a woman who decides to escape from civilization and hide in a remote cabin to silence her restless thoughts. The protagonist quickly realizes that instead of improving her condition, staying in this place only deepens her problems. To make matters worse, she begins to be haunted by disturbing visions, and the line between fiction and reality seems to blur.

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Platforms:

PC Windows

PC Windows

Developer: Jesse Makkonen

Publisher: Jesse Makkonen

Age restrictions: 16+

Similar Games:

Undertale

World of Horror

OMORI

Features

System Requirements

System Requirements for Without a Dawn Video Game:

PC Windows

PC / Windows

Minimum System Requirements:
Dual Core 2 GHz, 2 GB RAM, graphic card 512 MB, 100 MB HDD, Windows 7.

Ratings

Game Ratings for Without a Dawn Video Game.

96%

STEAM Score

All Reviews: Very Positive (437)

STEAM
User Reviews Summary generated by AI

The main pros of the game

  • Art and Visual Style: The pseudo-ASCII art style is frequently praised for its uniqueness and beauty, creating a haunting atmosphere that enhances the storytelling.
  • Sound Design: The game features an effective and immersive soundtrack that complements the visual elements and heightens the emotional impact.
  • Emotional Depth: Many reviews highlight the game’s ability to evoke strong emotions and resonate with players, particularly those who have experienced mental health struggles.
  • Thought-Provoking Themes: The narrative explores dark and complex themes related to mental health, anxiety, and existential dread, prompting reflection and discussion.
  • Short, Impactful Experience: The game is designed as a brief experience (around 30 to 60 minutes), providing a concentrated narrative that sticks with players long after completion.

The main cons of the game

  • Illusion of Choice: A significant number of reviews criticize the game for presenting choices that ultimately do not impact the story, leading to frustration and a feeling of being railroaded through the narrative.
  • Short Length: While some appreciate the concise nature, others feel that the game is too short and lacks substantial content or replayability, making it hard to justify its price for some players.
  • Ending Tone Shift: The transition to a post-game message from the developer is viewed by some as jarring and detracting from the emotional weight of the story.
  • Limited Gameplay Mechanics: The game is described as more of an interactive story than a traditional game, with minimal interactivity and puzzles, which may not appeal to all players.

The features or elements that are missing from the game according to users

  • More Meaningful Choices: Players express a desire for choices that have genuine consequences or lead to different outcomes, enhancing player agency and engagement with the narrative.
  • Expanded Story or Content: Some reviewers wish for a longer experience with more depth in the story, character development, or additional pathways and endings to explore.
  • Voice Acting: While the game supports voice acting, some players feel that including it would elevate the experience and make the narrative more engaging.
  • Deeper Lore or Background: A few reviews mention the lack of lore or world-building, suggesting that more context could enrich the experience and provide a fuller understanding of the protagonist's situation.

Summary

  • Overall, "Without a Dawn" is well-received for its artistic execution and emotional depth, but it faces criticism regarding its gameplay structure and narrative choices.

Summary generated on:

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