Games / Adventure

Back to the Dawn

Mar 5, 2026Adventure · RPGT

3.3

User rating

6 ratings

$34.99eShop

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Prices checked 14 Oct 2026

Trailers

Screenshots

Our take

Back to the Dawn offers a unique premise but doesn't quite hit the mark. While the concept of an investigative journalist navigating prison life is intriguing, the execution leaves a lot to be desired. At $34.99, you may find better value elsewhere, especially with its current user rating hovering around 3.33.

The concept of playing a framed journalist in a sprawling prison setting is compelling. However, Back to the Dawn struggles with execution. The exploration mechanics let you uncover secrets, but the inconsistent AI behavior can lead to moments of frustration. Graphics are serviceable but lack polish, especially noticeable during docked play. Load times can be long, disrupting the flow of gameplay. Comparatively, it doesn't quite match the engaging narratives found in titles like A Plague Tale, which manages to blend story and mechanics smoothly. The potential is here, but the game feels like it's still in beta.

Pros

Intriguing narrative premise that combines survival and strategy elements.
Varied environments within the prison allow for exploration and discovery.
Ability to form alliances or rivalries with inmates adds a layer of strategy.

Cons

Bugs and performance issues disrupt immersion, with noticeable lag during exploration.
AI behavior can be inconsistent, leading to frustrating encounters.
Limited combat mechanics make encounters feel repetitive.

You control a journalist navigating a sprawling maximum-security prison. Using stealth and cunning, you explore environments, gather evidence, and form alliances with inmates. The game's survival mechanics require you to manage resources and information while dealing with the ever-present threat of guards. Engage in strategic decision-making to plan your escape, but be cautious - trust is a luxury in this prison.

On Switch 2

On Switch 2, the game runs at a shaky frame rate, especially when the action ramps up, which detracts from the experience in both handheld and docked modes. Controls are responsive, but the performance issues hinder the overall enjoyment, making exploration tedious at times. The hardware's capabilities don't seem fully utilized yet.

Who it's for

Players who enjoy narrative-driven adventures with survival elements may find something to appreciate, but those seeking polished gameplay should likely skip this title for now.

About

Join Us On Discord! OPTIMIZATION TIPS FUTURE DEVELOPMENT PLAN ROADMAP About the GameIn Back to the Dawn, you play a reporter caught up in a dark conspiracy and who got thrown into a maximum-security prison for not playing ball. Gather your wits and learn how to survive in this hostile environment. Explore every inch of the prison and exploit any weakness you find. Make friends (or foes) with your fellow inmates and with their help, break out of prison. It's not just your life you are saving, but the entire city! You play the role of a framed journalist trying to survive and escape prison. Working with your attorney friend on the outside, you must collect evidence to save yourself and the city from grave danger. It's an enormous prison with lots to do and many places to explore, but make sure you follow the rules, or at least try not to get caught! You’ll encounter all kinds of challenges as you explore your new environment. But will you be a model prisoner and just try to keep your head down, or will you leave a trail of chaos and destruction in your wake? It’s all up to you. There is a colorful cast of fellow inmates in your prison, each with an interesting story to tell. You can either make them your friends or fight, bully and rob them into submission. Decide too if you want to be part of a gang or a cunning lone wolf who maneuver your way around everybody. It's tough, but hey, you are in prison! Are you a tough guy who lets his fists do the talking, a thief who hides in the shadows, or perhaps a smooth talker with some nifty hacking skills? You can be whoever you want to be in this game. Learn all kinds of skills, craft tools of various trades and go from being 'new fish' to 'top dog'! From the laundry room to the infirmary, to the sewers and even the parking lot, every inch of the place is a piece in your intricate jailbreak puzzle. Discover the secrets of each location and use them to your advantage. In your bid for freedom, your imagination will be the most powerful weapon.