Until Dawn Guide | How To Save Everyone
Here’s what you need to know if your playthrough involves saving all eight characters in Until Dawn.
Game Guide by Ornstein on Dec 22, 2024
Until Dawn is a survival horror game with a branching storyline in which every decision you make will affect the fate of eight people stranded on a distant mountain. It is difficult but rewarding to save all the characters because it requires very accurate decision-making, knowledge of QTEs, and an eye for clues and totems. This guide will take you step-by-step through each chapter and key time to make sure that everyone makes it until daybreak.
Prologue: The Washington Sisters
The adventure starts with a bad occurrence of Beth and Hannah Washington dying. Yeah, their death was needed because this part of the game gets you accustomed to the mechanics, including QTEs and choices. During this part, be sure to perform all the QTEs well and choose sensible actions as a way of getting used to the gameplay. Knowing how QTEs and branching choices work here will help you prepare for later high-pressure moments.
Chapter 1: The Reunion
A year from the prologue, the friends get together at the Washington family lodge in memory of Beth and Hannah. Most of the character introductions happen here, along with some character interactions. The major focus is on forming bonds between characters since these bonds will later influence key choices in the story.
For example, when Chris is target shooting, he should be hitting each target. It is because each of them has some point value in the later chapters where gunplay is involved. Always make choices that minimize conflict, such as choosing composed or neutral conversations. Keep the trust within the group, and this will improve the possibility of cooperation whenever desperate situations arise.
Chapter 2: Search the Lodge
This chapter involves more interactivity and the development of relationships. You will go into the lodge as Sam and solve some of the riddles in this game. Most importantly, pay attention to what artifacts you can examine because they all provide clues and totems for determining what some of the dangers ahead are. These anticipate what's going to happen later, so you can avoid deadly mistakes.
Meanwhile, Mike and Jessica approach the guest cabin. Keep Jessica safe by responding coolly to weird noises and events. At each given opportunity to investigate or brush off weird noises, choose to investigate cautiously. Succeed in the QTEs in this segment; too many failures result in an injury or death.
Chapter 3: The Guest Cabin Chase
This chapter heightens the tension as Mike and Jessica are suddenly attacked. Jessica gets carried out of the cabin due to some invisible force, and your actions play as Mike seals her fate. Once Jessica gets captured, immediately give chase, taking shortcuts along the way during QTE sequences. While shortcuts save time, they are riskier; hence, each tip should be followed to the dot to avoid failing.
If you miss too many QTEs, Mike will be late, and Jessica will die. You need to be very precise and fast here because this is one of the first moments when you have direct control over a character's fate. Jessica will live if you successfully complete enough QTEs.
Chapter 4: The Psycho's Game
The group soon finds themselves up against a mysterious figure—a madman terrorizing them with traps and obstacles. This chapter contains several key situations, most importantly for Sam, Chris, and Ashley.
During the frantic chase phase, Sam becomes the psycho's primary target. To secure her survival, complete all QTEs correctly and opt to hide when necessary. When hiding, you must remain completely motionless during the "Don't Move" phases, as any movement may result in capture. However, even if Sam is apprehended, her life is not in imminent danger.
Chris and Ashley are subjected to a psychological test. The madman forces Chris to choose who keeps their life via a fatal "saw trap." Do nothing, and the timer expires; this scene is a trap, and neither character dies. The player has to build the friendship between Chris and Ashley early in this chapter because it will affect the latter part of the game when they have to save each other.
Chapter 5: Separation
In this chapter, the group starts to split up, and it becomes much more challenging to manage and find ways to keep all the characters alive. Matt and Emily head to the radio tower to call for help while Mike searches for the madman.
While interacting with Matt, avoid aggressive speech with Emily. This mollifies her, and she is easier to work with during her decision-making portions later in the game. While examining the cliffside tower with Matt, do not try to conserve the flare gun for later; if necessary, use it on the hostiles to clear a path. When the tower collapses, complete the QTE's to save them both.
Meanwhile, Mike has to overcome hazardous areas to get to the maniac. Perform all the QTE successfully without taking too many risks. Missing most of the indications here will get him killed, so stay tuned and make rational decisions.
Chapter 6: Emily in the Mines
This chapter is very hazardous for Emily, as she splits from the group and has to face a Wendigo for the first time. Get Emily through the mines with care, successfully completing every QTE so she doesn't fall or get caught.
Throughout the entire sequence, the flare gun proves to be very useful. If Emily happens to drop it, then she has to pick it up immediately. This flare gun means potential protection against the Wendigo. If she manages to get out of the mines unharmed, then Emily survives in preparation for the subsequent chapters.
Chapter 7: The Truth is Revealed
In this chapter, the group begins to piece together the mysteries surrounding the Wendigos and the happenings on the mountain. Sam investigates the lodge's basement, learning information about the Washington family and the Wendigos' origins. Collecting these clues is critical since understanding the Wendigos' behavior influences life-saving decisions in the closing chapters.
Chris and Ashley come to another critical point- a shooting test. So, for the safety of the group and himself, make sure Chris will hit all his targets precisely. This sequence requires accuracy, so be very attentive and complete every question correctly.
Chapter 8: The Wendigos Attack
This is one of the most intense chapters, as the Wendigos start targeting the gang directly. Either way, it is now that Emily's existence depends on past choices. If she has the flare gun, she is able to fend off an attack. She will leave unharmed if all the QTEs have been successfully completed.
Matt's fate also relies on previous choices. He has to have the flare pistol to fend off a Wendigo if he has it on him in this chapter. In the case where Matt slips off the cliff, QTEs are correctly done to avert disaster.
Mike needs to get through the sanatorium and avoid the many Wendigos inside it. The sequence needs perfect QTEs, or Mike will die. When possible, take the quietest path so as not to alert unwanted followers.
Chapter 9: Preparing for the Final Confrontation
Regrouping and readying themselves for the final confrontation, every single choice weighs heavier than the last. Sam and Mike take the point of searching the lodge and setting up defenses. Keep them calm, don't show fear. Scared characters are most prone to make disastrous mistakes.
If anyone is injured, keep them as quiet and safe as possible. In the interim, while investigating, round up the remaining totems and clues to understand these Wendigos and what might be done with each of them.
Chapter 10: Surviving Until Dawn
The last chapter has a run-for-your-life kind of racing. The Wendigos fundamentally assault the lodge, putting the survivors in a life-and-death struggle. There are several "Don't Move" parts in this chapter, where one has to keep perfectly still. Any little movement results in death.
As Sam, keep the group safe. When there is an opportunity to blow something up, ensure all the characters are out of the danger area, then cause the explosion. Keep all QTEs in the escape for the protection of the characters.
General Tips for Saving Everyone
- Master quick-time events: Most of the deaths in Until Dawn come from botched QTEs. Get the habit of always keeping alert and up for prompt responses.
- Gather Clues and Totems in order to predict what's ahead and make more calculated decisions.
- Positivity between character interactions makes for a willingness to save each other at key moments.
- Compose yourself: Panic may result in poor decision-making. Take your time while thinking about dialogue options and actions.
- Replay the chapters if needed. If one character dies, for example, try replaying the chapter to correct your mistake.
Follow the guide below and read each choice in a decision, QTEs, and clue thoroughly in order to get all eight characters to live through the night. Saving all of them is exhausting, but by that point, it's actually kind of satisfying.
Also, check our Until Dawn Review and other guides below:
Editor, NoobFeed
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