As Dusk Falls

The opinions of the critics regarding the Story of As Dusk Falls are overwhelmingly positive. Many critics praised the game for its engaging narrative, well-developed characters, and exploration of heavy themes. Press Start Australia commends the story for being grounded and steeped in Americana, with a weaving narrative and fleshed-out characters. IGN Spain highlights the non-linear narrative structure, which turns the story into a puzzle that players solve as they progress, inviting replayability. Gamepressure applauds the clever writing that keeps the player entertained, while Metro GameCentral describes it as a tense and dramatic interactive movie with superbly realized characters. The majority of critics, including GameStar, GameSpew, and Digital Trends, emphasize the gripping drama between two families spanning multiple generations. However, there are some criticisms mentioned by a few critics. New Game Network notes that the second half of the story falls flat and includes too many filler scenes. GamingBolt mentions that some plot beats feel contrived, and Twinfinite expresses disappointment with the ending. Worth Playing also highlights the second part of the story feeling disjointed and poorly earned, with unsatisfying twists and moments. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that the Story of As Dusk Falls is a highly engaging and well-written narrative. The game effectively explores themes of grief, trauma, and family dynamics, with choices that matter and impact the outcome of the story. Critics like PC Gamer and GameSpot appreciate the quality writing, well-defined characters, and the emotional weight of the decisions made. The narrative is often described as gripping, tense, and thought-provoking. While there are some minor criticisms, the majority of critics found the story to be captivating and praised its ability to tackle complicated themes with sensitivity and maturity.

The opinions of the critics regarding the gameplay of As Dusk Falls are varied, but there are some positive aspects that stand out. Many critics appreciate the emphasis on choice-driven gameplay, with dialogue options and decision-making being the primary mechanics. The choices in the game are often described as impactful, with consequences that shape the story and relationships between characters. Critics like Checkpoint Gaming and GameByte highlight how the choices in As Dusk Falls have a greater impact on relationships, making players think about how they want their characters to act. The branching narrative structure and the ability to view different outcomes also contribute to the replayability of the game, as mentioned by Game Informer and TheSixthAxis. The multiplayer features, such as voting on decisions or playing with friends, are seen as interesting twists that add depth to the gameplay experience, according to Game Informer and WellPlayed. However, there are also negative aspects of the gameplay that critics point out. Several critics, such as Digital Trends, GameSpot, and Twinfinite, mention clunky controls and dull quick-time events as drawbacks. The controls, especially when using a mouse-pointer for decision-making, are criticized for being strange and cumbersome by AusGamers. Dexerto and Guardian mention cheap moments that undermine the player's efforts, while Twinfinite criticizes the lack of consequences for failing quick-time events. Some critics, like GamesRadar+ and GameSkinny, find the gameplay mechanics to be barebones and lacking depth. The limited interactivity and control over the characters are also mentioned as weaknesses by The Games Machine and GamingTrend. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that As Dusk Falls offers a choice-driven gameplay experience with impactful decisions and branching paths. The emphasis on dialogue options and decision-making is praised, as it allows players to shape the story and relationships between characters. The multiplayer features and the ability to view different outcomes add to the replayability of the game. However, there are criticisms regarding clunky controls, dull quick-time events, and the lack of depth in gameplay mechanics. While some critics appreciate the simplicity and fitting nature of the gameplay mechanics, others find them lacking in variety and creativity. Despite the mixed opinions, the majority of critics acknowledge the gripping and occasionally tedious experience that As Dusk Falls offers, as mentioned by EGM.

The opinions of the critics regarding the Graphics and Visual Design of As Dusk Falls are generally positive. Many critics praise the unique and striking art style of the game, with several mentioning the use of hand-painted still shots and painterly images to capture the raw emotion of the actors' live-action performances. The combination of real-world actor photos with a mix of 2D and 3D elements creates a visually stunning experience. Critics like CGMagazine and Dexerto specifically mention the beautifully animated still frames and the level of detail in the artwork. The use of static character images against occasionally animated backgrounds, as mentioned by COGconnected and Checkpoint Gaming, allows players to focus on the expressions and words of the characters, enhancing the emotional impact of the story. The motion comic-style presentation, as described by Digital Trends and GameSpot, keeps the story moving at a good pace and adds a unique visual element to the game. However, there are some negative opinions regarding the art style of As Dusk Falls. Some critics, such as Player 2 and Post Arcade, mention that the motion comic style can hinder immersion in the story and feel jarring, especially during action-packed scenes. The animation style of still-frame images with in-frame animation, as mentioned by Metro GameCentral, may not be to everyone's taste. The use of real actor photos combined with a slightly cartoonish filter, as described by JeuxActu, may divide opinions. Some critics, like Hardcore Gamer, mention that the stills of characters lose their charm and feel awkward and lacking in polish. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that the art style of As Dusk Falls is unique and visually appealing. The combination of static character images and animated backgrounds creates a motion comic book-style effect that enhances the storytelling. The use of hand-painted still shots and painterly images effectively conveys the emotions and expressions of the characters. While there are some criticisms regarding the animation style and its impact on immersion, the majority of critics appreciate the distinct visual presentation of the game. The art style, although subjective, is generally seen as a strength and a key aspect of the game's identity.

The opinions of the critics regarding the Sound Design and Music of As Dusk Falls are generally positive. Many critics praise the voice acting performances, with some highlighting specific actors for their outstanding work. GameSpew and God is a Geek both commend the voice acting, stating that it adds to the overall quality of the game. Impulsegamer goes further to describe the voice acting as perfect and indistinguishable from a single take. New Game Network specifically mentions the strong voice acting for the entire cast, singling out the performance of the character Vince Walker. TheSixthAxis also praises the sound design, mentioning that it creates a nineties atmosphere with background music and dialogue. However, there are a few critics who have some negative feedback regarding the voice acting. Player 2 criticizes it for being hamfisted and wooden at times, with characters sounding flat or disinterested during intense story moments. SomosXbox mentions that the voice acting, particularly in the dubbing, is not always the best at conveying the intended emotions. They also note that the voice-over with unsynchronized animations can be unsettling and sometimes unclear who is speaking. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that the voice acting in As Dusk Falls is generally well done and enhances the overall experience of the game. The positive feedback from critics such as GameSpew, God is a Geek, and Impulsegamer supports this sentiment. The sound design, as mentioned by TheSixthAxis, is also praised for creating a specific atmosphere. While there are some criticisms regarding certain aspects of the voice acting, the majority of critics appreciate the performances and the impact they have on the narrative.

The overall sentiment regarding the voice acting in As Dusk Falls is overwhelmingly positive, with the majority of critics praising the performances and considering them to be of high quality. Many critics highlight the strong vocal performances that match the quality of the writing, with CGMagazine noting that the actors' performances are expertly captured and form instant emotional connections with the cast of characters. Game Informer mentions that the conversations come across as natural, thoughtfully written and acted, and emotionally fraught. The voice actors are commended for making each character believable and likable, as mentioned by GameSpew. Additionally, the performances and well-written dialogue are described as understated and convincing, with Jay's character delivering inner turmoil with subtlety and plausibility, according to GamesHub. However, there are some mixed opinions regarding the voice acting in As Dusk Falls. GameByte mentions that while some actors deliver outstanding dialogue and performances, others are less influential. Player 2 criticizes the voice acting for being hamfisted and wooden at times, with characters sounding flat or disinterested during intense story moments. Post Arcade mentions that while characters are mostly well-voiced, they tend to feel shallow and fall into stereotypes. SomosXbox highlights that the voice acting, particularly in the dubbing, is not always the best at conveying the intended emotions. Despite these mixed opinions, the negative aspects of the voice acting seem to be overshadowed by the positive feedback from the majority of critics. In conclusion, the voice acting in As Dusk Falls is widely praised by critics, with the majority considering it to be of high quality and enhancing the overall experience of the game. The performances are described as high-quality, expertly captured, and adding to the emotional depth of the characters. While there are some mixed opinions regarding certain aspects of the voice acting, the positive feedback from critics such as CGMagazine, Game Informer, and GamesSpew supports the overall consensus that the voice acting in As Dusk Falls is excellent. The strong vocal performances, combined with well-written dialogue, contribute to creating believable and relatable characters, making As Dusk Falls a standout title in terms of voice acting.

In terms of the technical performance on Xbox Series X, the opinions of the critics are somewhat mixed. Gfinity mentions some input delay on the stick movements, but states that it doesn't significantly affect the gameplay. This suggests that while there may be a minor issue, it doesn't hinder the overall experience. JeuxActu points out the presence of minor audio and subtitle bugs, which can be seen as a slight drawback but not a major problem. On the other hand, TrueAchievements highlights a bug with low-resolution flashback cutscenes that breaks immersion, indicating a more significant technical issue. VGC, however, provides a more negative perspective, describing the controls as terrible and sluggish. This criticism suggests that the technical performance on Xbox Series X may have some notable flaws. For the PC version of As Dusk Falls, Hardcore Gamer expresses concerns about the technical performance. They mention low frame rates and a lack of proper resolution support, indicating that the game may not run smoothly or look as visually appealing on this platform. This negative feedback suggests that the technical performance on PC is subpar compared to other platforms. As for the Xbox One version, But Why Tho? highlights a few issues. They mention stuttering or abrupt transitions in the graphics, which can disrupt the immersion. Additionally, they note that it can be challenging to predict the response options and how they will sound or what the character will actually say. These technical shortcomings on Xbox One indicate that the game may not perform optimally on this platform. Overall, the critics' opinions on the technical performance of As Dusk Falls are varied. While there are some positive aspects mentioned, such as Gfinity's observation that the input delay on Xbox Series X doesn't significantly affect gameplay, there are also notable negatives. TrueAchievements' mention of low-resolution flashback cutscenes and VGC's criticism of sluggish controls on Xbox Series X highlight significant technical issues. Hardcore Gamer's feedback on the PC version raises concerns about low frame rates and resolution support. Additionally, But Why Tho?'s mention of stuttering graphics and unpredictable response options on Xbox One further suggests technical shortcomings. Therefore, it can be concluded that the overall consensus among the critics is that the technical performance of As Dusk Falls has some notable flaws across multiple gaming platforms.

The opinions of the videogame reviewers regarding the replay value of As Dusk Falls are generally positive. Many critics highlight the game's multiple endings, character fates, and branching paths as key factors that contribute to its replayability. AusGamers, for example, praises the option to replay and change the story, while Dexerto mentions the presence of hidden secrets and plot elements to uncover. The ability to explore different choices and scenarios is also highlighted by critics such as Digital Trends and GameSkinny. The collaborative and exploratory aspects of the game are appreciated by Impulsegamer, who mentions wanting to immediately play the game again after finishing it. On the other hand, some critics point out certain limitations or drawbacks to the replay value of As Dusk Falls. Checkpoint Gaming mentions that the lack of skipping scenes and the game's focus on every choice mattering can make repeat playthroughs feel like a tough grind. Inverse notes that the absence of the option to skip or rapidly advance dialogue limits the replay value. Guardian mentions that while replaying scenes to see different outcomes is mildly interesting, there is a lot of repeated material, and significant decisions don't play out until the end. Metro GameCentral also highlights the inability to skip dialogue already seen, which can make subsequent playthroughs feel drawn-out. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that As Dusk Falls offers a good level of replay value. The game's multiple endings, branching paths, and meaningful consequences are frequently praised, with many critics emphasizing the motivation to explore different outcomes and story branches. Critics such as COGconnected and Game Informer appreciate the game's multiple choices and paths, while Xbox Tavern and GamingBolt highlight the breadth of choice and consequence. The inclusion of multiplayer options, such as voting systems and support for up to eight players, is also seen as a positive aspect by critics like GameSpot and Windows Central. While there are some limitations mentioned, such as the inability to skip dialogue or the potential for repeated material, the overall sentiment is that As Dusk Falls offers a satisfying level of replayability for fans of narrative-driven games.