An Until Dawn Sequel Needs to Right One Remake Soundtrack Wrong

An Until Dawn Sequel Needs to Right One Remake Soundtrack Wrong

As a seasoned gamer with a deep affinity for narrative-driven horror games, I must say that the remake of Until Dawn has left me divided. On one hand, I appreciate the updated visuals and fresh additions to the storyline, but on the other, the absence of the iconic “O Death” intro song has been a bit of a letdown.


Over nine years have passed since its debut, and at last, Until Dawn has been remade, allowing long-time enthusiasts another chance to immerse themselves in the story with updated graphics. The developers at Ballistic Moon ensured that the remake remained faithful to the original Until Dawn narrative, while also incorporating new elements to provide a fresh take on it.

Changes in the remake of “Until Dawn” have elicited varied responses from fans, particularly with regards to its storyline. Some appreciate the fresh elements these modifications introduced to the narrative horror genre, but the omission of the classic “O Death” opening theme has sparked controversy among a portion of the fanbase.

Until Dawn Remake’s Opening Soundtrack Criticisms Explained

An Until Dawn Sequel Needs to Right One Remake Soundtrack Wrong

In its debut, the chilling American folk tune titled “O Death,” sung by Amy Van Roekel, was both the opening and closing number for the game Until Dawn. This melody establishes an atmospheric tone as it depicts a conversation between a dying individual and death, making it fittingly ominous for a game where characters could meet their demise if poor choices are made. Notably, Supermassive Games incorporated various renditions of “O Death” in The Dark Pictures Anthology, another collection of choice-based games that explore supernatural and psychological subject matters.

The original name for the song “O Death” is “A Conversation With Death.” In the games “Until Dawn” and “The Dark Pictures Anthology,” revamped versions of “A Conversation With Death” are used, but these versions belong to different music genres. As a result, it was necessary to adjust the title of the song for these adaptations.

In the remake of the game “Until Dawn,” Ballistic Moon opted for a different opening song called “Out of the Shadows” by Mae Stephens instead of the original “O Death.” Similar to “O Death,” this track addresses the theme of death, but it focuses more on individuals either challenging their destiny or accepting their end. Although “Out of the Shadows” shares the same eerie quality and effectively establishes the atmosphere for “Until Dawn,” many fans were taken aback and felt let down that “O Death” was replaced, as some believe the new soundtrack falls short in comparison.

Video game remakes often feature new soundtracks instead of the original due to complications with music licensing, preventing some songs from being included. The price of acquiring these licenses can fluctuate and increase based on the number of copies sold post-release. As one of the top-selling PlayStation 4 games at launch, the licensing cost for “O Death” in a remake of Until Dawn might have been beyond budget due to its popularity.

It appears Ballistic Moon hasn’t spoken publicly about why “O Death” wasn’t included in the remake of Until Dawn. Although the high cost of music licensing could potentially be a factor, it’s also plausible that they opted for a different song to distinguish the remake from the original.

Until Dawn Still Has Time to Bring Back “O Death”

As a passionate gamer, I’ve just learned some exciting news that’s got me all pumped up! It appears there might be a sequel to the gripping horror game, Until Dawn, in the pipeline, thanks to Firesprite – a studio owned by Sony. There have been whispers about a sequel for quite some time, given Until Dawn’s impressive sales figures, but this is the first concrete hint we’ve had of a developer being involved with the project.

In light of the mixed reviews for “Out of the Shadows,” there’s speculation that the upcoming sequel to “Until Dawn” could win over fans by incorporating a fresh rendition of the song “O Death.” This move would carry on the tradition set by Supermassive Games in the original “Until Dawn” right up until their latest project, “Dark Pictures.” Furthermore, it’s an effective method to stir feelings of nostalgia among longtime fans, as “O Death” has become a renowned track in horror gaming.

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2024-10-10 17:06