Uncanny Valley is defined as a field of aesthetic that comes into play when models or computer animations resemble life-like organisms, but don’t quite recreate the naturalistic movement and feel of the subject, thus creating a jarring effect in the viewer. It’s a hot-button topic in the video game industry, too, as developers continually poke and prod at the graphical framework with advanced motion capture and voice acting, and in upcoming PS4 horror Until Dawn, developer Supermassive is set to blow past the uncanny valley in style.
Taking cues from all of your favorite horror and slasher movies, Until Dawn follows a group of friends who retreat to a literal cabin in the woods. Peace and rural tranquility is soon upended though, and the crew find themselves hunted by a crazed psychopath. Taking control of multiple characters, players will be tasked with surviving, well, “Until Dawn,” and it’s understood that there is an inherent cause-and-effect chain at the heart of Supermassive’s game, meaning that all of your decisions will have an impact on the fate of you and your allies.
Truth be told, Supermassive’s horror has been simmering in development for quite some time, given that it was initially revealed as a PS move title. In the time that’s lapsed since its unveiling, the studio has overhauled the title entirely, drafting in a new cast of voice actors and a modelling system that takes full advantage of the PS4 architecture.
Will you survive Until Dawn? Supermassive’s PS4 horror is scheduled for release on August 25.
When eight friends are trapped on a remote mountain retreat and things quickly turn sinister, they start to suspect they aren’t alone. Gripped by fear and with tensions in the group running high, you’ll be forced to make snap decisions that could mean life, or death, for everyone involved.
Every choice you make in your terrifying search for answers – even the seemingly trivial ones – will carve out your own unique story. With spine-tingling performances from a Hollywood cast including Hayden Panettiere (Heroes, Nashville) – your actions alone will decide who survives Until Dawn.
