The esteemed video game developer Supermassive Games' release ofThe Quarry, the supposed spiritual successor ofUntil Dawn, has many fans debating over which is their best game. Bothtitles follow the premise of a group of young adults getting involved with matters beyond their understanding. Presented with dangers both supernatural and not, they mustdo everything in their power to make the right decisionsand survive against unfavorable odds. Yet, despite their similarities, there are distinct contrasts betweenThe QuarryandUntil Dawn.
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The QuarryandUntil Dawnareworthy titles of the horror genreas they both build and expand on it in unique and meaningful ways. However, there is no denying that each video game possesses varying strengths and weaknesses that set them apart and individualize them. These distinctions make a difference as to whetherThe QuarryorUntil Dawnis the best. So, which of Supermassive Games' horror titles is the better? It is a difficult decision but looking at each video game’s aptitudes and shortcomings, the answer is close but clear.
7Story: Until Dawn
The QuarryandUntil Dawneach have a similar core plot but move in vastly different directions. The former follows the tale of a group of teenage counselors at Hackett’s Quarry Summer Camp who get involved with mysterious blood-drenched locals and a pack of bloodthirsty Werewolves. The latter sees a band of young adults on a remote mountain retreat fending against a masked serial killer and cannibalistic Wendigos. The similarities are glaring and typical for horror, but each narrative quickly distinguishes itself within a few hours of play.
While each video game’s story is compelling and fun, the plot ofUntil Dawnis far more detailed and engaging, featuring many twists and turns that keep players interested from start to finish. Moreover, the narrative was impressively well-paced, moving along smoothly without feeling too slow or rushed.The Quarrykept an intriguing plot line most of the way through but was a bit too cliché,utilizing predictable and boring horror tropes. The story’s pacing was unsteady as it became unexpectedly hasty or slow, especially during the climax.
6Characters: Until Dawn
The QuarryandUntil Dawneach feature a diverse cast of characters, all of which possess distinct traits and behaviors. While many of each video game’s characters fall into classic horror tropes — e.g., the mean girl and the masculine jock — they are fleshed out and life-like in many aspects. Players can recognize and distinguish the qualities and motivations of each character, allowing for an understanding of what drives them and how they fit into the plot. Even thoughThe QuarryandUntil Dawnboasts a lovable and deep cast of characters, one video game stands above the other in this regard.
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The characters featured inUntil Dawnare far more fleshed out and utilizedthan those ofThe Quarry. Throughout the narrative, players learn nearly everything there is to know about each character, no matter how significant their role is. The characters are so life-like and well-developed — Josh in particular — that players could forget that they are merely the fabrication of the video game. Contrastly,the characters inThe Quarryseem to stall at varying points in the story, failing to receive the same attention and development as those inUntil Dawn. Therefore, leaving much to be desired from each character, except maybe Laura.
5Monsters: The Quarry
The QuarryandUntil Dawneach boast horrifying supernatural monsters that will have players on the edge of their seats. The former utilizesthe classic monstrosities titled Werewolves from European folklorethat are human by day but terrifying beasts under the light of a full moon. The latter features cannibalistic humans turned predatory creatures known as Wendigos, originating from Native American legends. Both monsters follow the idea of a person turning into a horrific beast, yet they stand out from one another and serve the plots of their respective video games in unique ways. Deciding which monstrosity is better is a close and challenging debate.
Although there is an argument for why either video game’s monster is better, the Werewolves ofThe Quarryare superior for one reason. Despite being a creature frequently seen in the horror genre, Supermassive Games somehow distinguished their version of the Werewolf in a way that was unique and yet true to form. Rather than being the furry, wolf-like humanoids frequently seen in pop culture, the Werewolves ofThe Quarryare hairless and boast canine-inspired faces. These differences, in conjunction with explosive and bloody transformations, make the Werewolves stand out much more than the lanky human-like Wendigos ofUntil Dawn.
4Mystery: Until Dawn
The QuarryandUntil Dawneach have their fair share of mystery and intrigue around their story. The Hackett’s Quarry Summer Camp counselors must uncover the secrets of the Hackett Family and their ties to lycanthropy, all while gathering evidence. The young group of friends at the Blackwood Mountain Retreat must discover the identity of the serial killer and the Wendigo happenings nearby. Both video games will have players pondering the truth and aching to unravel the mysteries around the plot.
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WhileThe Quarryhas a lot of questions involving Werewolves and the Hackett family, it makes the monumental mistake of revealing its monsters too early, which is whyUntil Dawnproves more mysterious. Throughout the narrative, players believe a blood-crazed serial killer to be the real danger of the video game. Yet, the various abnormalities and unanswered questions sprawled acrossUntil Dawnhinted at something more that would not reveal itself until the later parts of the story, the vicious and supernatural Wendigos.
3Quality: The Quarry
Supermassive Games designedThe QuarryandUntil Dawnbeautifully with stunning visuals and an air of quality scarcely seen in other video games. The high degree of the graphics, environments, and motion captures turn these video games into something akin to that of a movie. WhileThe QuarryandUntil Dawnare both video games of outstanding quality, one is undoubtedly a much higher grade, albeit it is not a fair comparison.
The quality ofUntil Dawnwas impressive during its time, butThe Quarryhas the advantage of better technology for graphics, environments, and motion captures alongside a higher budget. These benefits make for an overall higher-quality video game that astonishes and captivates fans. Players can go throughThe Quarryand forget they are playing a video game as the quality is outstanding and on par with films.
2Gameplay: Until Dawn
WhileThe QuarryandUntil Dawnare both decision-making video games that play out like a movie, there are some gameplay elements in the form of gunplay and quick-time events (QTEs). These aspects make for thrilling and impactful moments that can have long-lasting effects on the story. Although the gameplay elements ofThe QuarryandUntil Dawnare similar at their core, Supermassive Games handled them very differently in each game, and for a good reason.
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Until Dawnutilizes the motion detection of PlayStation controllers, making for suspenseful and petrifying moments. This feature, in conjunction with more challenging and meaningful QTEs, makes the gameplay of this video game stand out from its spiritual successorsignificantly. While that is not to sayThe Quarrydid not have consequential gameplay, it is far less demanding and influential thanUntil Dawn, which caused many otherwise thrilling moments to fall flat.
1Verdict: Until Dawn
AlthoughThe Quarryis a fitting spiritual successor toUntil Dawn, it fails to surpass its predecessor in many aspects — even if just barely. It is an outstanding standalone video game that does not rely on the fame of Supermassive Game’s hit title, holding its own as a commendable addition to the horror genre. However,The Quarryfails to capture the qualities that madeUntil Dawnso successful, such as its thrilling story, three-dimensional characters, and suspenseful mystery. These shortcomings only worsened with the video game’s unsteady pacing that failed to build up tension, an example of this being the early appearance of the monsters.
Overall, it seems thatUntil Dawnwill remain Supermassive Game’s most successful horror title asThe Quarrywas close but ultimately did not meet its mark.Even video games from the developer’sThe Dark Pictures Anthologyhave yet to achieve the same renown. Supermassive Games may never make another video game as revered asUntil Dawn,for it was the perfect combination of varying themes that kept players enthralled and yearning for more. That is not to say it was exempt from any issues or shortcomings, yet the video game’s achievements vastly overshadow these inadequacies.
The Quarryis available on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
Until Dawnis available on PC with PlayStation Now, PS4, and PS5.
