As Dusk Falls | Xbox Review

Every time a new narratively-driven is released, my Spidey senses start tingling. When INT./NIGHT’s As Dusk Falls was announced, I knew I had to get my hands on it as soon as it was released. Developed by veterans of Quantic Dream and Sony, this is an extraordinary experience that is chock full of suspense, tension, and every emotion under the sun. I was shocked by how deeply this sunk its hooks into me, and it’s one of the best games I’ve played this year. You’re going to want to play this if you, like me, love a fantastic narrative experience.

Best Laid Plans

As Dusk Falls follows three groups of people in 1998: The Walker family (Vince, Michelle, Jim, and Zoey) who are moving to St. Louis after a scandal, the Holts (Tyler, Dale, Jay, and Sharon) whose crappy hand in life has forced them to turn to a life of crime, and the owners of the Desert Dreams Motel in Arizona (Joyce and Paul). The Holts and Walkers meet after getting in a car accident, while Joyce and Paul interact with everyone after they all converge onto the motel. Of course, these meetings aren’t pleasant or friendly, and a horrible series of events occurs. To spoil any more of the game’s powerful plot would be a huge disservice to the development team. 

Your decisions truly matter, and not every option is clear cut. Several times I thought I was making the best choice, only to have a tragic event occur. This makes the experience far more powerful, but also increases the replay value. I’m already itching to play through again and select different options to see how it causes the story to change. You are able to replay certain segments at the end of each of the six chapters, if you wish to. You can also see how the  majority of other players’ stories branched off.

This story is full of trigger warnings, and while a good portion of them are flashed on the screen as soon as you boot up the game, research the full list to make sure this won’t cause any emotional distress to you or anyone else who may play with you. These warnings can reveal some of the game’s biggest plot twists, but it’s better to be safe than sorry when it comes to your mental health.

Looks Aren’t Everything

The visual style is reminiscent of rotoscoped films, with a unique flair that I’ve only ever encountered in As Dusk Falls. I loved the graphics and found it easy to get into the flow of them, but it may be a turn off for some players. I still urge you to push through even if you aren’t a fan of it. The story far surpasses the visuals. The performances are also excellent, while the sound effects and soundtrack help elevate the experience.

Ground Rules

The controls are extremely simple. You don’t move any of the characters, and interactions are limited to selecting dialogue options and critical choices that affect the way your story branches off, interacting with certain objects, and quick-time events (QTEs). The QTEs are incredibly easy and so forgiving that it’s almost impossible to fail them. You’re only required to move the left thumbstick in a certain direction or to mash/tap the A button when required. There is a time limit, but even swiping in the wrong direction or pressing the wrong button won’t penalize you as long as you complete the correct action before time runs out. Sadly, there isn’t an option to increase the difficulty of these QTEs if you’re looking for a bigger challenge. I do appreciate the fact that you can turn off mashing the A button either entirely or only limiting it to tapping it if you need to for accessibility reasons, though.

Another cool addition is the ability to use your phone or tablet as a controller. I didn’t test this out, but it could certainly be helpful for some players who may not be used to playing with a gaming controller. You can play either solo or with up to eight others, locally or online. I would love to play this with friends and see how the story unfolds with the input of others.

The Final Verdict

As Dusk Falls is a powerful, unique narrative experience that sticks with you long after the credits roll. It feels like playing an interactive, gritty television series. The performances, sound effects, and score are top-notch. The branching storyline offers high replayability, and the option to play with friends and to use your phone/tablet as a controller adds another layer to the gameplay experience. The visual style won’t be for everyone, and the QTEs are far too easy and forgiving, but these are only small quibbles. I highly urge you to check this title out if you can handle the subject matter (again, check triggers before playing). It’s a wonderful experience that I won’t soon forget.

 

This review is based on a GamePass copy of As Dusk Falls. It is also available on Xbox and PC via Steam.