Lately, there has been a rise in interactive horror games like The Quarry, a branching story involving a cast of teenagers desperately trying to survive a horror setting. The game has frightened players everywhere, and each horrifying choice leaves viewers and gamers alike fearing for its incredibly varied set of characters.
But The Quarry isn't the first in the genre, and it certainly didn't kick it off. In fact, the game that The Quarry is the spiritual successor of happens to have just as many terrifying choices. Still, like in any branching game, some choices in Until Dawn are considerably more important than others.
Run and Hide
The essential question in any horror product: What does a person do when the killer is coming at them? When, in Chapter 5, Sam is being hunted down by a killer, each player is forced to reckon with that very question.
For players who elected to run, their fate is a gruesome one. The player character, Sam, is immediately captured and rendered unconscious by the killers, leaving fans reckoning to discover her fate for hours. Should they hide, it's considerably safer, as Sam will escape her attacker and get away safely.
Keeping The Flare Gun
In Chapter 6 of the game, players are forced to decide who should retain access to a major tool in the game: The flare gun. While this decision may seem inconsequential, it actually is the deciding factor in whether or not Matt gets to avoid one of the most brutal deaths in Until Dawn.
Should Emily hold onto the gun, she can use it to defend herself later on in Chapter 8, though players do have other options available to help keep her alive. Should she give it to Matt, if he decides to save her during Chapter 8, the flare gun will help him evade the Wendigo. Without it, Matt's an utter goner.
Dr. Hill's Questions
While answering Dr. Hill's questions won't have any effect on who lives or dies, each question impacts the psychological breakdown Josh experiences throughout his therapy sessions.
Should players declare a fear of zombies, a zombie will start appearing in his office in later chapters and Dr. Hill will slowly start appearing more zombie-like himself. Should they declare a fear of needles, Sam will later be hunted down by a killer using needles to take her out. The game even has options for players who find horror in clowns. Each fear finds some way to appear in the game, making the horror elements of the game even more tailored to individual preferences.
Keep Quiet
There's a very common trope in horror movies that involves characters doing the dumbest things possible at the worst times. Sometimes, it means leaving the car keys in their pockets while racing for escape. Sometimes, it means trying to shoot a killer without bothering to see if there are bullets in their guns.
Until Dawn involves the same type of thing by emphasizing motion as a major piece of the game. After all, with motion controls, if a player so much as twitches, it can mimic some mistakes classic horror movie characters often make. That's why, when the Wendigo comes after Victor, any noises or failed Quick Time Events can easily mean the end of the character.
Save The Squirrel
Another typical horror trope is emphasizing that only the deserving die. Characters who prove themselves to be cruel or careless often wind themselves at the killer's mercy. That's why, when presented with the chance to shoot a squirrel or leave it be, players should think twice before pulling the trigger.
Should the squirrel be killed, a terrified bird will launch an attack on Sam's face. An Until Dawn that most fans won't notice is that, if her face was scratched, Sam will be unable to avoid the killer when given the Run or Hide option. He will follow her blood trail, leaving her unable to find the clues as to his identity. Plus, it means she'll be captured, which is never particularly good.
The Twins Clues
Sometimes, gathering all the collectibles in a game can be a hassle. When the story is engaging enough, most people don't want to waste their time on the edge of a map just to scan for pigeons or coins. But, in Until Dawn, it is absolutely essential to find each and every one of the Twins Clues.
The twins that die at the beginning of the game are a mystery haunting the players. At least, unless all 20 clues are found. If they are, players will be eligible to have each character survive to see the end of the game. If not, Josh might meet his end when he fails to identify the Wendigo, leading to his death. While Josh does have one of the best deaths in Until Dawn, it's still an important decision.
Messing With A Bear Trap
It's never a good idea to mess around in a horror movie, as Mike learns throughout Until Dawn. But, if the player decides to mess with a bear trap, either Mike or his machete will pay the price. While players can choose to ignore it entirely, choosing to engage can mean his fingers get caught in the trap.
Of course, on his own and having to deal with it himself, players have two choices: Break the machete or amputate. While there are no in-game consequences for Mike losing his fingers, there are consequences for losing the machete, as it can help him fight the Wendigo later on.
How To Train Your Wolf
There are no excuses for hurting a dog in a game, and there certainly aren't for hurting a wolf. When Mike encounters Wolfie in Chapter Five, players can choose to kick the wolf or leave him be. Given how horror movies treat people who hurt animals, it's an easy guess to see the better option.
Players can choose to make amends if they kick Wolfie by offering a bone. If so, later on, Wolfie will try to protect Mike from the Wendigo. The paths branch widely, but Wolfie can either die defending Mike or reach the end of the game, which can actually earn players a trophy.
To Risk Or Not To Risk?
There's not always an easy path when the world is falling apart. When, in Chapter 4, Mike needs to rush through the forest to find and save Jessica, players encounter branching paths involving a risky shortcut or an easier (and slower) path. The decision actually decides if Jessica lives or dies.
If players choose to follow the path, they'll find that Mike is too slow to get to Jessica. If they take risky options that might just put Mike in harm's way, Mike will still survive and will manage to get to Jessica in time.
What To Do For Emily
In Chapter 8, some players may experience a branch wherein Emily was bitten by the Wendigo. If so, they will be forced to decide whether or not to shoot Emily dead to prevent her from turning into one or leave her alive to try to see what will happen otherwise.
Given that Emily does not turn into a wendigo, as it is not, in fact, a zombie, keeping her alive is probably the smart move. Of course, given that there's a trophy for either option, it might be worth a replay just to see the path where the player shoots Emily as well.
