While characters are important in most games, they're vital in Until Dawn. After all, the title's gameplay is all about saying or doing things that impact those characters in question. So, good playable characters were required to make Until Dawn an enjoyable game.
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PostsThe developers excelled in this department, as all of them are either fascinating or entertaining. This makes keeping them alive all the more important. Yet, it's only natural to root for certain characters' survival more than others. They aren't all created equal, after all. Some of them are better and add more to the game than others. This is how they all stack up against one another.
Updated October 18, 2024, By Ben Jessey: A remake of the original Until Dawn game has recently been released. In celebration of that, we decided to return to our piece where we ranked all the characters to give it a bit of an update. We've tidied some things up and reevaluated our ranking a bit.
Spoilers for the plot of Until Dawn ahead
9 Beth Washington
CloseBeth is Hannah's twin sister and who you control during the initial moments of the game. She follows Hannah out into the cold after the friends prank her and is unfortunately killed alongside her sister shortly afterward.
She's more of a plot device than a real protagonist. Her purpose is to set up the main narrative and teach you how to play by being the character you control during the tutorial. That said, in her brief time on screen, you still get the idea that she is a kind person and a loving sister based on the fact she runs after Hannah. However, it's hard to rate her too highly since you barely get to know her before she dies.
8 Jessica "Jess" Riley
CloseJess is the classic arrogant and attractive popular girl who used to feature in every high school movie. Unfortunately, she is never really given the chance to evolve and outgrow this initial identity. Her introduction at the beginning of the game presents her as an insecure girlfriend to Mike, one that picks fights with his ex-girlfriend Emily with great immaturity. She is also a big supporter of the prank on Hannah, which then causes her and Beth's death.
She has little impact on the outcome of the game or any of the multiple endings. In fact, it's very easy to have a successful playthrough without her staying alive. At least, she is quite entertaining in the early part of the game when she isn't fearing for her life.
7 Ashley Brown
CloseAshley does little to help the group of teenagers survive the night. Instead, she mainly serves as a source of hysteria and panic. She can die at many points throughout the game and can always get other characters killed depending on her decisions, words, and actions.
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PostsHer emotions often get the better of her, so much so that it puts her friends and fellow teenagers at risk. So, she isn't someone you'd like to be stuck in a horror movie with. That said, she is an easy character to like. Yes, she was involved in the prank on Hannah, but she's the one who seems most guilty about it. Plus, her general politeness and kind nature are charming.
6 Josh Washington
CloseJosh is a tortured soul unable to move on from his sisters' deaths and haunted by the events that took place at the Lodge one year before the main narrative of the game. Actor Rami Malek does a superb job of bringing to light his internal turmoil and garnering sympathy for him despite the horrible actions and plans he puts in place to get back at his friends.
While he may catalyze the horrific events the group must endure, Josh’s story is heartbreaking, and he is without a doubt the most nuanced character to feature in Until Dawn. He also facilitates some of the best and hardest quick time events and decisions.
5 Matthew "Matt" Taylor
CloseWhile he isn't one of the most entertaining characters, Matt has a heart of gold and is easily one of the more likable protagonists. As Emily’s boyfriend, he shows a great capacity to protect and support her and their friends.
The biggest impact he has throughout the game is assisting Emily in restoring power to the radio tower and in calling the Rangers for help. After the tower is destroyed and the two are separated, Matt’s journey becomes largely secluded from the others and the main storyline. However, if Jess is still alive, Matt will find her in the mines and help her while they both venture through and escape to the surface.
4 Chris Hartley
CloseChris is the epitome of the nerdy guy who becomes a hero to save his friends and gets the girl stereotype. He is quick-witted, loves to make jokes, and is often seen to be getting on the nerves of the other group members. He might also get on your nerves, depending on how funny you think his jokes are.
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PostsAs Josh’s best friend, Chris's role at the beginning of the game is central to Josh's storyline. And while initially, he finds himself right in the middle of Josh’s elaborate pranks, Chris soon is thrown into the deep end and required to put his safety on the line to save his friends.
3 Emily Davis
CloseWhile she may not initially be likable and come across as an antagonistic character, Emily undergoes a great narrative arc throughout Until Dawn. When things take a turn for the worse, she proves to be very resourceful and proactive. This is a stark contrast to the woman you meet at the start of the game, who seems to want her boyfriend, Matt, to do everything for her.
What makes her such a compelling character is how she manages to navigate the horrors of the mines and mountainside on her own. While she demands protection when with her boyfriend Matt, she shows courage and independence when they are separated and shows off great survival instincts. She is responsible for radioing the rangers, ensuring she and her friends are rescued when Dawn finally arrives.
2 Michael "Mike" Munroe
CloseFirst introduced as the goofy and arrogant ladies’ man, Mike’s transformation and development throughout the game elevates him from his initial characterization. While his initial motivations for his bravery revolve around his wanting to save his girlfriend, Jess, his heroism quickly extends to ensuring all his friends are safe and that they’re able to survive the night.
Mike’s actions throughout the game and the decisions you make when controlling him can greatly impact the overall outcome and who lives or dies. He’ll often be the one forced to make the hard and important decisions, the protector of the group, and plays a key role in the quest to keep everyone alive.
1 Samantha "Sam" Giddings
CloseAs the only character not involved in their initial prank on Hannah other than Josh and Chris, Sam is immediately likable and sympathetic. Actress Hayden Panettiere does a fantastic job of portraying Sam and her unwavering morality, strength, and empathetic nature.
While she has little to do at the beginning of the game, Sam quickly becomes one of the game's main protagonists next to Mike. In particular, her relationship with Josh plays a key role in understanding his experiences and trauma after the death of his sisters. Her actions and decisions directly influence who lives and dies in the final moments of the game.
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Horror Systems 10.0/10 OpenCritic Reviews Top Critic Avg: 79/100 Critics Rec: 49% Released August 25, 2015 ESRB M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Sexual Themes, Strong Language Developer(s) Supermassive Games Publisher(s) Sony Engine DecimaWHERE TO PLAY
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