- The Quarry serves as a spiritual successor to the original Until Dawn.
- Development for Until Dawn 2 was reportedly shelved due to conflicts between Supermassive Games and Sony.
- The Quarry shares the signature interactive horror gameplay and branching narratives.
- Expect high replayability with significant consequences for player choices.
- Both games are renowned for their atmospheric horror and diverse character interactions.
The Legacy: Until Dawn and Its Spiritual Successor
The original Until Dawn, released in 2015, captivated players with its unique interactive horror experience. Developed by Supermassive Games, it stood out as a PlayStation exclusive, offering a choose-your-own-adventure style narrative where every decision could lead to life or death for its cast of characters. While fans eagerly awaited an official Until Dawn 2, the highly anticipated sequel never materialized. Instead, Supermassive Games went on to create The Dark Pictures Anthology and, later, The Quarry, which many consider to be the true spiritual successor to Until Dawn.
The Quarry offers a similar interactive horror experience to Until Dawn, focusing on player choices and their impact on character survival, making it a must-play for fans of the original.
Video Highlights:
- The Quarry is recognized as a spiritual successor to Until Dawn.
- It features the same atmospheric horror and decision-making gameplay.
- The game is available on multiple platforms, unlike the original Until Dawn.
The absence of a direct sequel for Until Dawn has been a topic of much discussion among fans. Reports suggest that a falling out between Supermassive Games and Sony, the original publisher of Until Dawn, played a significant role in this. This led to The Quarry being developed as a standalone title, albeit one that carries the distinct Supermassive Games horror DNA.
Development Crossroads: From Until Dawn 2 to The Quarry
The journey from a potential Until Dawn 2 to The Quarry is a fascinating tale of creative differences and publisher relationships. According to former Supermassive employees, The Quarry originally began as a prototype for Until Dawn 2, funded by Sony. However, after the prototype was completed, Supermassive reportedly attempted to shop the concept around to other publishers, which angered Sony. This ultimately led to the project being rebranded as The Quarry, with funding eventually coming from Google (for its Stadia streaming service at the time).
This strategic shift meant that while The Quarry retained the core gameplay mechanics and narrative structure that made Until Dawn so popular, it could not formally be connected to the Until Dawn series. This explains why The Quarry felt so similar to Until Dawn but was not part of The Dark Pictures Anthology, Supermassive's other multiplatform horror series.
The decision to develop The Dark Pictures Anthology as a multiplatform series reportedly strained Supermassive's relationship with Sony, contributing to the shelving of Until Dawn 2.
Here's a comparison of the development paths:
| Aspect | Until Dawn | The Quarry (Original Pitch) | The Quarry (Final Release) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Developer | Supermassive Games | Supermassive Games | Supermassive Games |
| Publisher | Sony Computer Entertainment | Sony (prototype), then other publishers | 2K Games |
| Platform Exclusivity | PlayStation 4 exclusive | Intended for PlayStation | Multiplatform (PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S) |
| Original Concept | Interactive teen horror | Direct sequel to Until Dawn | Spiritual successor to Until Dawn |
| Relationship with Sony | Strong partnership | Strained, eventual falling out | Independent from Sony |
| Release Year | 2015 | 2022 (as The Quarry) | 2022 |
Gameplay Evolution: Shared Mechanics and Enhanced Features
Both Until Dawn and The Quarry excel in delivering choice-driven narrative horror experiences. Players' decisions, big or small, directly impact the story's progression and the survival of the characters. This high degree of player agency and replayability is a hallmark of Supermassive Games' design philosophy.
Key Gameplay Mechanics Comparison:
| Feature | Until Dawn | The Quarry |
|---|---|---|
| Player Choice | Central to the narrative, impacts character fates | Central, extensive branching paths, deep consequences |
| Butterfly Effect | Core mechanic, small choices have large impacts | Expanded system, more visible consequences |
| Quick Time Events | Frequent and critical for survival | Present, often intense, can lead to instant death |
| Character Roster | Diverse group of teenagers, each with traits | Diverse group of camp counselors, more nuanced development |
| Atmosphere | Cabin in the woods, psychological horror | Summer camp, classic slasher film vibes, supernatural elements |
| Replayability | High, to explore different outcomes | Very high, due to numerous paths and endings |
The Quarry built upon the foundation laid by Until Dawn, refining the interactive drama and enhancing the cinematic quality. The game’s setting, a summer camp, provides a fresh yet familiar backdrop for the classic slasher horror tropes, while incorporating its own unique supernatural twists.
Both Until Dawn and The Quarry are designed for multiple playthroughs. The intricate branching narratives mean that players can experience vastly different outcomes by making alternative choices, keeping the gameplay fresh and engaging.
The Future of the Until Dawn Universe
Despite the lack of a direct Until Dawn 2 from Supermassive Games, the franchise is far from over. A remaster of the original Until Dawn is currently in development by a new studio, Ballistic Moon, and is slated for release on PS5 and PC later in 2026. Furthermore, Sony is actively planning a movie adaptation of Until Dawn, indicating a strong desire to continue expanding the series.
This renewed interest suggests that an official Until Dawn 2 could still happen in the future, potentially from a different developer or with Supermassive Games repairing its relationship with Sony.
Until Dawn Remaster
- Developed by Ballistic Moon
- Coming to PS5 and PC in 2026
- Aims to modernize the original experience
Until Dawn Movie Adaptation
- Planned by Sony
- Indicates ongoing franchise investment
- Could pave the way for future game sequels
The departure of Supermassive Games' co-founders, Pete and Joe Samuels, in early 2024, and the appointment of Robert Henrysson as the new CEO, might also open new avenues for collaboration. A new leadership could potentially mend the past relationship with Sony, making an Until Dawn 2 from Supermassive a possibility once more.
Achieving All Endings: A Player's Guide
Navigating the complex narratives of games like Until Dawn and The Quarry to achieve specific endings requires careful planning and precise execution of choices. Players often aim for "everyone survives" or "everyone dies" runs, showcasing the depth of the games' decision-making systems.
Before starting a new game, consider what type of ending you want to achieve. This will help guide your decisions throughout the story.
Understand the Butterfly Effect
Every choice, no matter how small, can have unforeseen consequences later in the game. Pay attention to the "Butterfly Effect" warnings.
Character Relationships
Maintain positive relationships between characters. Strong bonds often open up new dialogue options or rescue opportunities.
QTE Mastery
Practice and master Quick Time Events (QTEs). Failing a critical QTE can lead to immediate death for a character.
Exploration and Clues
Thoroughly explore environments to find clues and totems (in Until Dawn) or evidence (in The Quarry). These can provide vital information or unlock new choices.
Learn from Mistakes
Don't be afraid to restart chapters if a critical character dies prematurely, especially if aiming for a specific ending.
Checklist for Survival Runs:
Survival Essentials:
- Always choose the safest dialogue options.
- Avoid risky exploration unless absolutely necessary.
- Keep weapons and defensive items readily available.
- Complete all QTEs perfectly.
- Protect vulnerable characters at all costs.
Frequently Asked Questions About Until Dawn 2 and The Quarry
Q: Is The Quarry officially Until Dawn 2?
No, *The Quarry* is not officially *Until Dawn 2*. It is considered a spiritual successor developed by Supermassive Games, sharing similar interactive horror gameplay, but it is not a direct sequel due to reported conflicts between Supermassive and Sony regarding the *Until Dawn* IP.
Q: Why was Until Dawn 2 never made by Supermassive Games?
Reports suggest that Supermassive Games and Sony had a falling out after Supermassive attempted to shop around the prototype for what was intended to be *Until Dawn 2* to other publishers. Sony was also reportedly upset about Supermassive releasing *The Dark Pictures Anthology* on multiple platforms.
Q: Will there ever be an official Until Dawn 2?
While Supermassive Games is not currently working on an official *Until Dawn 2*, Sony is planning a movie adaptation and a remaster of the original game is being developed by Ballistic Moon. This indicates a continued interest in the franchise, so an official sequel is still possible in the future, potentially from a different studio or if relationships are mended.
Q: What are the main similarities between Until Dawn and The Quarry?
Both games feature choice-driven narratives where player decisions significantly impact character survival and story progression. They share a strong emphasis on Quick Time Events, atmospheric horror settings, and a diverse cast of characters whose fates are in the player's hands. Both also offer high replayability to explore different outcomes.