Back to the Dawn is a very unique adventure game that mixes RPG elements with a prison simulator. The game was available in early access for a long time on PC and has gradually expanded to other platforms, with the latest being the Nintendo Switch 2. It features beautifully animated pixel art in a 3D style and offers a lot of customization and replay value. However, it is not very beginner-friendly and can feel intimidating for newcomers.
The story takes place in Boulderton Prison, located in a city that is basically similar to the one in Zootopia. It is a world where anthropomorphic animals run society. A major shift is happening with the election of a new mayor, while politicians are corrupt to the core. There are clear parallels to the animated Disney hit Zootopia. The game features multiple playable protagonists, including Thomas, a fox journalist with his own goals, and Bob, a black panther who works as an undercover cop, giving off shades of Infernal Affairs. Bob is trying to uncover the main suspect behind a larger conspiracy, while Thomas ends up in prison after being wrongly framed for trying to publish a report that could expose corrupt politicians.
At the start of the game, there are a lot of choices to pick from, and honestly, they felt overwhelming at first. Since the story is shaped by the player’s choices and also by a timer that counts down alongside an in-game calendar, it can feel like a lot to manage. The game is as much a time management RPG as it is a story-driven adventure. Each day is divided into time periods such as morning, work, lunch, and evening. Money is important for performing many tasks in the game, and building relationships with other characters is just as important. Almost every NPC you meet in the game can become a friend.
If we talk about all the systems, Back to the Dawn can feel like an overly complex game. At least at the beginning. However, once the basics are established, most objectives and tasks start to feel routine. The game also has an RPG-style stat system that focuses on four core skills: strength, agility, intelligence, and charisma. All of these are important, since improving them can unlock unique choices or lead to different outcomes in the story. The game adds even more customization through perks called specialties and abilities.
Some actions in the game are determined by a dice roll, which reminded me of Baldur’s Gate 3. For example, if you choose Thomas the fox at the start, your first objective is to make a phone call to the lawyer. To do that, you need to convince the NPC using the phone to step away, and the outcome depends on a dice roll. If the roll fails, you can try again, but not without consequences. The game also includes several minigames that are needed to earn money, such as laundry, ironing, and sorting, which fit the theme of prison work.
One of the unique aspects of Back to the Dawn that I enjoyed was how the game runs strictly on a timer. There are 21 in-game days to complete the main objectives. For Thomas, this means getting in touch with the lawyer and building a case that can get him out of prison without charges. The game also makes things easier for newcomers by offering four different difficulty modes. The default mode provides items that help players reach the desired ending more easily. An additional Champion difficulty can be unlocked after finishing the game once, which adds to the replay value.
The Switch 2 port runs well from what I have played, and it also looks great. I am not sure about the exact performance or technical specs, but they hardly matter since the game is not very resource-heavy. I did find the UI a bit messy, especially at the start, when it is hard to understand everything. There is a lot of information on the screen through the UI, and while most options have shortcuts assigned to them, it is not as intuitive or user-friendly as using a mouse. The game asks players to push through the opening hours, which are the hardest. Once the routine is established, the pacing and gameplay start to open up a lot more.
Back to the Dawn really shines because of its replay value and the promise of multiple endings. There are different ways to approach each objective, which gives a level of freedom that many modern games often miss. While the game stumbles a bit early on and has a steep difficulty curve, things do get easier as you spend more time learning about the world and befriending the NPCs. It is a solid release for the Switch 2, and the mix of handheld and docked play makes it easy to recommend and enjoyable over time.
Back to the Dawn Game Information
- Price: $34.99
- Publisher: Clouded Leopard
- Developer: Metal Head Games
- Platform: Switch 2 (Reviewed)
- Disclaimer: A review code was given by the publisher
