Back to the Dawn

The mechanics have a learning curve to get used to but I love that this game has its own thing going on! This game is challenging and it feels rewarding when you reach the point of thriving. The storyline is plenty captivating and full of drama. Each NPC is unique with its own backstory and the ability to befriend them to learn about what landed them in prison was really fun. There are multiple endings that have you going back to replay to find out what happens. I really enjoyed Back to the Dawn, as someone who normally sticks with cozy RPGs this was a nice little dark humor prison game adventure to go down.

Absolute cinema: First: I LOVE the game design in general, that paperZD like effect of 2D characters and 3D enviroment. It just makes it so much better than if the whole game felt 2D Second: The story itself is just great, I wouldn't change a thing. It has multiple endings which just makes me play longer and not just finish it and that's it. Third: In general fun gameplay, having to use my brain to get all the needed items, trade, bond and learn abilities. Took me so long to get everything for the best ending. All in all I saw not a single issue other than the game crashing a few times, but I think that was because I played for six hours nonstop.

this game really surprised me. It can be listed as one of my favorite indie games. The CRPG format will make you unable to resist exploring the entire prison, but it's quite difficult to fully explore it on the first attempt. So this will be a very addictive looping game over and over again.

OMG! This game is way better than I thought it was going to be. I just finished my first playthrough. 17 hours. That alone was worth the price but apparently there are multiple endings and different escape routes. There were definitely things/route leads I came across that I barely scratched the surface. I don't wanna spoil one of the endings, but it had one of the coolest easter eggs in it. It was so cool! This isnt one of those "technically multiple endings but 99 percent of the playthru is going to be the same" I chose to play as a sneaky fox and stole stuff and resold for profit. Never really fought. I was in the process of joining one of the 3 prison gangs but never finished that route. Next playthrough I want to be a strong bully fox and kickass, extort people, join a gang, etc. There is so much more content that I want to experience my 2nd time through. That, along with a hole different charecter to play as yet to come once this is out of early access, this game is 100 percent worth the price. I think I got this game on sale awhile ago and just got around to playing it now, but It is still well worth it at full price. PS. Don't eat the pizza left outside of the hotel rooms at furcon. Uwu

Amazing Game! Good story writing, lots of interesting in-depth characters, fun and varied gameplay mechanics to keep things interesting. Good amount of initial challenge without being overwhelming, even the sound track is pretty bumping. I've only made it through a few playthroughs of thier Fox Character (Thomas) which was a stand alone game by itself and there's another character's story (Bob). The amount of content here is sure to keep you entertained for a very long time. This is better than any big budget company game I've played in a long time and it's not ridiculously over-priced like those games. All in All 11/10

love love love this game, great main and side character development/story and the fact there's another character to play besides Thomas the fox?! mind blowing. Haven't played the game in a while but super excited about bob the panther. A must buy if you like DND but in prison.

excited for the full release! some instructions are a bit unclear (or I'm just too dumb to figure out the minigames right away), but otherwise the story is really well written, the characters are interesting, and the general gameplay loop is quite fun.

Thank you for created "Reed's will never forget" and "We Finally Meet" scenes, one is very funny and the other is heartwarming and sad. The game also took me NG+3 for it to finally see "Justice" ending which it's beautiful. But....you almost gave me a heart attack for Rob's selection, which is understandable that he's not ready to be playable yet. Now that out of the way, i'll continue on Benie's route plus the "tower escape" route or whatever that is IDK because i hasn't start yet

I randomly found this game and wasnt really sure what to expect...sheesh. I really enjoyed it. This game has so much to do! I didnt escape the jail because I was so busy trying to do a bit of everything I could find and by the time I got a hang of what the best course of resource/time management was, it was far too late lol. There is a lot to do and so much story its pretty amazing. Im glad I didnt really get too far in many of the ways to escape and just spent time in learning on what does what and how things work for real attempts in the future and this time managing time/goals. The story depth is amazing, I recommend this game to anyone looking for a jail/escape/crime game. One of the most amazing games i've played in YEARS I was hooked haha

This Game is Really Good But The Time Limit Is Becoming A problem Because of that I Hope The Developer Added A GameMode That Got No Time Limit Also ( I Hope The Dev To Make The Main Character Able To make A gang)

Я редко пишу отзывы, большая часть игр вызывает у меня скуку или неприятие, но эта сильно зацепила. Сначала я хотел написать большой детальный обзор, а потом мне не хватило символов... Здесь столько всяких рутов и неочевидных путей, что я играя сутками не открыл и половины, поэтому опишу основные детали, которые могут вас отпугнуть или наборот привлечь, всё что является минусом для меня - может быть плюсом для вас! И да на игру есть аж целых два русификатора. - Игра безумно красивая и сценически поставлена просто прекрасно (обзор пишется до арки пантеры Боба, которую обещают сделать ещё более кинематографичной), особенно если вы любитель пиксельного стиля с вкраплениями изометрии в духе ретро-приставок. - Сюжет будет весьма прямолинеен, если вы не будете облизывать каждый угол. Но если будете - вас наградят кусочком истории и вы посмотрите на сюжет по-новому. - В самом начале весьма сложно понять, что куда и как, но после первой ходки у вас будет чёткое понятие чего вы хотите от игры. И она вам это даст. - Игра поощряет разные стили прохождения, есть NG+, что позволяет не гриндить те же самые перки и это просто прекрасно! - У меня возникали проблемы с пазлами, но это просто я тупой, благо можно выучить перк, который всё сделает (ну почти) за вас! - Истории персонажей вызывают эмоции, каждый зверь в игре - живая личность и дружба с ним позволяет узнать об их судьбе и даже поучавствовать в ней! - Воровская жизнь нелёгкая, но её надо придерживаться... - рекомендую скорешиться с Бэмом, если вы такой же клептоман, как я! 10 отсидок из 10!

✔️ Early Access Review 🕒 Hours Played: 70 Hrs 📅 Reviewed on: 06/05/2025 Back to the Dawn is one of those rare indie gems that completely took me by surprise. What begins as a prison survival RPG with anthropomorphic animals quickly unfolds into a deep, atmospheric, and emotionally gripping experience that rivals—and sometimes surpasses—many big-budget titles. You play as Thomas the Fox, a TV reporter who ends up in a maximum-security prison after being framed for getting too close to the truth. He’s not a fighter or some action hero—just a smart, resourceful journalist trying to survive a brutal environment. That vulnerability is what makes his story hit so hard. You shape who he becomes through every decision—whether he stays true to his principles or adapts to the harsh rules of prison life. The mechanics run surprisingly deep. You have full control over how you build Thomas, with core stats like Strength, Agility, Intelligence, and Charisma influencing everything from dialogue options to crafting success and combat performance. These stats unlock different paths and playstyles, making each playthrough feel fresh. On top of that, there’s a robust skill system, where you can train in everything from stealth and hacking to fighting and crafting. Whether you spend your days studying in the library, pumping iron in the yard, or sneaking through restricted areas, you're always progressing. Crafting plays a vital role too—you can build weapons, tools, and even contraband items using scavenged materials, giving you a creative edge in both survival and escape strategies. Everything in the game—from working jobs and doing favors to exploring hidden tunnels—feeds into a gameplay loop that feels rewarding, tense, and full of meaningful choices. It’s not just about building numbers; it’s about adapting to the world and deciding what kind of prisoner you want to be. What really makes Back to the Dawn special, though, are the characters. The prison is full of over 40 unique inmates, each with their own motivations, alliances, secrets, and personality. They’re not just quest givers—they evolve, react, and remember. Some may become allies. Others enemies. By the time you reach the end of Thomas’s story, you’ll feel like you’ve lived through something—and not just played it. The atmosphere is incredible, with a gritty, grounded tone and a prison environment that feels alive and oppressive in all the right ways. The music, lighting, and visual style build an immersive experience that really pulls you in. With the 1.0 version launching this July, we’ll finally get the full story of Bob the Black Panther, a second playable character with his own arc and perspective. If Thomas’s story is any indication, Bob’s campaign is going to add even more depth and replayability to an already excellent game. 💬 To the developers: I sincerely hope this isn't the end. This game has all the potential in the world to grow—through DLC with new protagonists, expanded content, or even a full sequel. You’ve created something truly unique here, with meaningful depth, great writing, and real emotional weight. Back to the Dawn is one of the most original and impressive indie RPGs I've played in years—and I can’t wait to see where you take it next.

I haven't finished it but right off, really well done atmosphere, interactions, minigames, and story. I checked for thumbs down and it seems people were mad that they could lose the entire game, which to me just makes it much better and engaging than if I were guaranteed a win just for playing.

Its good prison game (I want Lisa ROMANCE NFSW ESCAPE ROUTE NOW!!!!)

One of the best games i've ever played!