Back to the Dawn

Over the course of 90 hours and 9 playthroughs, I can finally say that I'm "done" with this game for the time being...until they release Bob's campaign for free in a little over a week from now, which is my cue to start all over again! Needless to say, I've thoroughly enjoyed my time with this game so far, and am super excited to go on another journey in this beast of a game, both narratively and mechanically. I don't really know where to start when it comes to all the little things I appreciate about this game. Yes, there is a 21 day time limit that can be stressful to work around, but I have no idea how something like this could exist without some sort of "end" to it all. The developers worked extremely hard to make each day feel special with the announcements, prisoner conversations, and events that happen on a daily basis. There is Thomas' story that has to naturally progress, and my god, don't even get me started on all the subplots and shenanigans that the other inmates (ALL 46 of them) get themselves in that are developed over the 3 week period. I find the attention to detail on display staggering, especially when it comes to how consistent each inmate's interactions feel with their personality and backstory. The game is definitely meant to be played and appreciated to its fullest on subsequent playthroughs; there's no way you'll see everything on your first time around. Personally, I loved the feeling of being able to point out all the little nuances in the conversations I was eavesdropping on after knowing each prisoner's story from bonding with them before. It was so cool seeing all the hidden irony, sadness, complexity, and foreshadowing in some of these interactions. The type of shit that will make you point at the screen and say, "So THAT'S what they meant!". Even if I'm in the minority in how I enjoy and hyperfixate on these small details, I think anyone can appreciate the effort that went into spinning this intricate web between all the inmates in their interpersonal relationships and how they behave. To focus a bit on the gameplay side of things, the player is given so many options when it comes to how they decide to survive, escape, and tackle challenges within the story. There's NG+ which allows you to carry over skills and rapport, and the game has an extremely comprehensive online database (super fun to browse btw, there's so much fucking flavor text that you'll never see) created by the devs which make future playthroughs not feel like an absolute slog to get through. The dice rolling mechanics never feel unfair in my opinion, since you're allowed to reroll and there are tons of ways to artificially boost your stats through equipment, items, and skills. Most of the difficulty that you'll experience will come from a lack of skills, or a lack of game knowledge. It can feel really rewarding to overcome quests and checks that you had a difficult time with just because you know what's coming and can handle it better than before. There are so many other things that I want to talk about like the writing, the main story, or even just Thomas being a super fun protagonist to play as, but you'll have to experience those things for yourself. If any of this interested you even a little bit, please just try the game. The developers have put so much love into it and are even releasing Bob's campaign for free, which has probably already dropped by the time you read this review. I expect it to be on the same level of quality as Thomas' campaign, which was already amazing. Critiques about the in-game time limit and difficulty can definitely sound scary from an outsider perspective, but they are integral to the experience and can absolutely be overcome. Don't even worry about having to escape on your first playthrough, I didn't! My biggest piece of advice is to not rush and truly get to know your fellow inmates. If all goes well, for better or worse, Boulderton Prison will start to feel like a second home to you. To conclude, Thomas is the fucking GOAT. Obligatory link to the Back To The Dawn Database (this saved my life on multiple playthroughs): https://back-to-the-dawn-data.vercel.app/en Listing some gripes I had with this game: - The romantic interests in this game feel kind of half-baked both mechanically and narratively? There are two in Thomas' campaign, but neither feel like they're given enough interactions with Thomas in order to make their relationship with him that deep. To elaborate: [spoiler] Mechanically, why does Beth not have any exclusive items that you can buy from her with affection points like Maggie? And it's medicine that you can just as easily buy from other inmates. I get that you have to date her in order to do Hakuna's bond quest and break into the infirmary (or you can just bond with Jimmy), which only feels useful for The Tower escape and nothing else. On future playthroughs, I never found much of an incentive to get with her unlike Maggie who can mail me some useful equipment and items. I really like Maggie, but it's kind of criminal how her bio never gets updated once Thomas repairs his relationship with her while Beth gets like 9 pages worth of backstory, especially when Maggie is made out to be such an important person to him. It's nice how Maggie is an option when it comes to The Sun escape, which provides her with some much needed scenes with Thomas, but it isn't enough in my opinion. Even "chatting" with Maggie just brings you to a black screen and her rapport goes up. There's so much material to work with when it comes to the "funny stories" that Thomas would tell her, like have you seen the shit that happens on a daily basis at Boulderton??? I feel like the nail in the coffin for me was when I first saw the post-credit cheating scene, which only happens when you decide to date both Maggie and Beth. Hilarious in a vacuum, but it made me realize that neither Maggie or Beth get their own individual post-credit scene. Why not? They created an entirely new post-credit scene (with two variations), new outfits for the three respectively, and the setting of Downtown just to use it once. It just feels like a missed opportunity to me (I also just want to see Maggie/Beth spending time with Thomas without the threat of death...)[/spoiler] - NG+ carries over all the profiles of the inmates you've gotten to know, along with their stories and gift preferences which is great. However, this doesn't apply to other NPCs like the guards and people outside the prison, whose profiles are wiped when you start a new playthrough. I never realized how much I had been missing out on when I checked the database to see that the game DOES update the profiles of these NPCs depending on your actions in the story which is so cool, but you'll likely never notice it in-game. This is a shame, especially for characters like [spoiler] Gomez, The Devil, and all the characters from the Four Corners.[/spoiler] I get that they're supposed to update as you progress through the story, but what if you've already seen it all and just want to reread their bios and stuff? You'll never see some of these characters again since they're exclusive to certain escape routes which most players won't repeat. - Carrying over the rapport system to the other NPCs can be kind of deceptive sometimes. It makes sense when rapport has a tangible effect on interactions with them, like with Billy and Owen. Other times, it just feels like an indicator of how your choices made them feel. As far as I know, there is no benefit to raising or lowering Bruce's rapport (please correct me if I'm wrong about this), and he's one of the most important NPCs in the game. There are also some NPCs who you will never be able to raise rapport with. It's even weirder when you have the option to "Chat" with NPCs, which is something you can only do once and never again to raise rapport (free flavor text?).

this game really surprised me. It can be listed as one of my favorite indie games. The CRPG format will make you unable to resist exploring the entire prison, but it's quite difficult to fully explore it on the first attempt. So this will be a very addictive looping game over and over again.

Amazing Game! Good story writing, lots of interesting in-depth characters, fun and varied gameplay mechanics to keep things interesting. Good amount of initial challenge without being overwhelming, even the sound track is pretty bumping. I've only made it through a few playthroughs of thier Fox Character (Thomas) which was a stand alone game by itself and there's another character's story (Bob). The amount of content here is sure to keep you entertained for a very long time. This is better than any big budget company game I've played in a long time and it's not ridiculously over-priced like those games. All in All 11/10

This Game is Really Good But The Time Limit Is Becoming A problem Because of that I Hope The Developer Added A GameMode That Got No Time Limit Also ( I Hope The Dev To Make The Main Character Able To make A gang)

Back to the Dawn is a surprisingly deep and richly immersive prison escape RPG that places you in the role of Thomas the Fox, a wrongfully imprisoned journalist trying to navigate—and eventually break out of—a brutal maximum-security prison populated entirely by anthropomorphic animals. Developed by Metal Head Games and published by Spiral Up, the game combines stealth, RPG mechanics, and social simulation into an experience that is both compelling and filled with meaningful choices. While currently in Early Access, it already offers a solid narrative foundation, a wide range of gameplay systems, and a strong sense of atmosphere. What makes Back to the Dawn stand out is the amount of freedom it gives the player. The prison is more than just a setting; it’s a dynamic sandbox full of opportunity and danger. Whether you decide to go solo, ally with prison gangs, or play the quiet manipulator, the choices you make have consequences that ripple throughout the experience. The game includes over 100 quests, branching dialogues, and multiple endings, ensuring that no two playthroughs feel the same. You can specialize your character in combat, stealth, or persuasion, and each path offers a distinct way to approach escape plans and social interactions. The moment-to-moment gameplay is a mix of survival, planning, and social engagement. You’re required to follow daily routines—like working in the laundry room, lifting weights, or attending roll call—which simultaneously help you earn currency, improve stats, and avoid suspicion. Yet beneath this structure is a layered progression system involving crafting, skill development, and relationship-building. The game’s systems interlock well: resources are limited, NPCs can help or hinder you, and opportunities to break free require patience and strategy. Visually, Back to the Dawn boasts a distinctive pixel art style that’s brought to life with vibrant lighting effects and smooth animations. The prison is detailed and atmospheric, with areas like the infirmary, sewers, library, and cafeteria all contributing to a sense of lived-in realism. The characters themselves—ranging from smug gang leaders to quirky cellmates—are filled with personality and charm, despite the game's often grim tone. The art style strikes a balance between cartoonish and gritty, making the world feel both accessible and dangerous. A major highlight is how the game blends humor with tension. Even as you’re plotting an escape, you might find yourself cooking meals through a quirky mini-game, brushing your teeth to maintain hygiene, or mediating a dispute between rival inmates. These little moments add depth and texture to the experience, making the prison feel like a real community with its own rhythms and hierarchies. The developers have also integrated realistic mechanics such as managing hunger, energy, and morale, which keep you grounded even as you work toward big-picture goals. Multilayered character interactions play a vital role in shaping your journey. You’ll meet over 40 inmates, each with unique personalities, affiliations, and agendas. Earning trust or intimidating others can influence how information is shared, what resources are available, or whether you’re betrayed when it matters most. There's a heavy emphasis on social dynamics, which makes Back to the Dawn feel more like a living RPG than a scripted stealth game. Despite being in Early Access, the game already shows remarkable polish. However, it’s not without its issues. The learning curve can be steep at first, especially when juggling multiple systems like stat management, crafting, and navigating the prison's politics. Some mechanics still need balancing—particularly around resource scarcity and difficulty spikes—and the one-save system can make mistakes punishing. Yet these are relatively small concerns in what is otherwise a well-thought-out and highly replayable experience. Looking ahead, the developers plan to add even more content, including a new story campaign and additional areas, characters, and escape methods. With regular updates and community engagement, Back to the Dawn is poised to become one of the standout indie RPGs in its niche. In summary, Back to the Dawn is a creative and intricately designed prison RPG that blends tension, strategy, and storytelling into a unique experience. It rewards thoughtful play and experimentation, offering a prison setting that feels both authentic and engaging. With strong writing, stylish presentation, and a wide variety of ways to shape your character’s journey, it's already a standout—even before its full release. Fans of narrative-driven strategy games, stealth RPGs, or just rich sandbox experiences will find plenty to enjoy in this promising title. Rating: 9/10

I bought the game during a discount event on Steam and honestly, I didn't know what to expect. The design of the game, combined with the story of a prison break in a world of animals, piqued my initial interest. So I began my first playthrough (and certainly not my last). From the first hour, I was immersed in the game world. Although the game was in Early Access at the time, you could immediately feel the love from the developers and the great potential of the game. With Thomas as the (currently only) starting character, you embark on an unknown and visibly dangerous journey through prison life in Boulderton Prison. You have a total of 21 days not only to escape from the aforementioned prison but also to investigate a conspiracy. Every decision you make is crucial for the outcome that awaits you. And after the first run (like in real life), you think that you could have done it differently and better. But unlike in life, you can actually do it differently in the game. Every new run reveals new elements of the game that you hadn't discovered in previous rounds. The game is designed to fail, then restart, and gain new experiences – and I really like that. Because even after 20 or 40 hours, it doesn't get boring, and with the soon-to-be-released new character Bob, you will get to explore entirely new journeys. Once in the game, I found it hard to detach myself from the screen – and that defines an excellent game for me. It captivates you from the very first minute and is so multifaceted in its story that boredom is impossible. So, for those who enjoy role-playing games or want to take a look into this genre, I wholeheartedly recommend Back to the Dawn. The beginning may seem difficult or frustrating for some, but the charm of the game lies in not being discouraged by defeats but rather accepting them and learning from them. Only then can one fully enjoy this game.

So good! 40 hours for first play through and not even play the second character yet, some more it still in early access

love love love this game, great main and side character development/story and the fact there's another character to play besides Thomas the fox?! mind blowing. Haven't played the game in a while but super excited about bob the panther. A must buy if you like DND but in prison.

excited for the full release! some instructions are a bit unclear (or I'm just too dumb to figure out the minigames right away), but otherwise the story is really well written, the characters are interesting, and the general gameplay loop is quite fun.

Reminds me of escapist and I already enjoyed that, AND THE CHARACTERS ARE FURRIES, SIGN ME UP!

游戏是好游戏，但被小游戏恶心到了