Back to the Dawn: Things to Know Before Your First Playthrough

by

Summary

  • Manage mind, body, and satiety to survive prison and escape, prioritizing needs for food, fitness, and sanity.
  • Read books to learn essential skills for success, utilize gear to boost reading speed, and access library for knowledge.
  • Optimize interactions, engage in profitable illegal activities, use keys wisely, build strong bonds, and extort weaker inmates.

Initially appearing as a warm and inviting pixel-art game, Back to the Dawn might lead you to believe that it’s just another comfortable gaming experience. However, once you find yourself imprisoned within Boulderton Prison, the tone swiftly changes; every choice you make now carries significant consequences, potentially deciding between life, death, or a chance at liberation.

In the role-playing game known as “Back to the Dawn“, players have extensive control over their adventure thanks to a multitude of detailed mechanics. However, the vast array of objects, encounters, and characters may initially confuse or intimidate new players.

This introductory handbook provides vital advice, if you like, akin to prison etiquette, to assist you in enduring and eventually breaking free from Boulderton Penitentiary.

The following contains minor spoilers for Back to the Dawn story.

11. Put Your Mind, Body, and Stomach First

Otherwise, Prepare to Perish in Prison

As a devoted fan, I’d express that “Diving headfirst into the intricate tapestry of Back to the Dawn, it’s clear at heart, this is a survival game. Day by day, I find myself navigating through a world filled with challenging adversaries – inmates, gang members, and corrupt cops, each presenting their unique threats. Yet, amidst the turmoil, there are fundamental requirements that need constant attention: ensuring I’m well-fed, maintaining my physical health, and preserving my mental stability. In game terms, these needs are referred to as Satiety, Body, and Mind.

  • Body: Eat well, take vitamins, and maintain good hygiene.
  • Mind: Watch TV, drink some liquor, enjoy sweets, play games, and read Playpup magazines.
  • Satiety: Don’t skip meals, keep cookies in your pocket, and ask friends to share their food.

10. Be a Bookworm to Become a Beast

Books Teach You Everything You Need

As a gamer in the world of “Back to the Dawn”, I discovered that, surprisingly, pouring over countless books is key to crafting an unrivaled inmate character. These books serve as my guide, offering the vital knowledge necessary to optimize and enhance my character’s abilities – min-maxing my build to its full potential.

The library can be found inside the General Building, positioned to the right of the Gym within the Recreational Area, and it’s nestled beside a rather enigmatic Barbershop. Admission costs $20, but if you decide to become a member of the Black Claw Gang who manage the place, your entry will be free.

As a gamer, I’ve discovered that certain equipment, such as specific gaming glasses, can significantly increase my reading speed and aid me in mastering skills at a faster pace.

9. Move to a Single-Bed Cell as Soon as Possible

Let the Fox Spread His Wings

Once you’ve accumulated some Good Conduct Points, feel free to request Captain Bruce to transfer you into a private room at your earliest convenience. It would be advantageous for several reasons. Firstly, you wouldn’t need to wait for your cellmate to fall asleep before accessing the Hidden Space (the covert area behind the toilet). Secondly, you’d have more space in the Storage Locker, which will become increasingly handy as your possessions grow.

8. Don’t Let Time Fly

Be Picky About Your Interactions

Every novice player of the game “Back to the Dawn” should understand that time progresses only when you engage with a character or an item. If you’re merely exploring or observing, time remains stationary. To prevent wasting valuable days, be mindful about your choices in interaction.

Aim to break free from this prison within 21 days. Failing to achieve crucial tasks before sleeping means wasting precious hours. Essentially, it’s about beating the clock.

7. Try Some Illegal Activities, It’s Okay

But Try Not to Get Caught

Engage in clandestine betting at secretive boxing fights, which surprisingly take place on the upper level of a prison. Consider dealing with criminal associates and trading illicit goods with the local barber shop as an additional income source.

With Bam, you can learn an extraordinary skill that allows you to subtly take items from prisoners’ pockets without being detected, even from a distance. This unique talent could prove to be quite profitable.

6. Hold on to Keys

They Can Unlock the Unthinkable

As you progress through your role-playing game with a detective theme, you’ll encounter various everyday objects that might seem unimportant at first, such as spare keys. Keep these items handy because they could prove to be quite valuable during your exploration of restricted zones. Instead of needing to pick locks manually or hack into complex security systems, you can use the keys to gain access, making your adventure easier.

At first glance, the “Cheap Key” from “Back to the Dawn” might appear worthless. However, if you keep hold of it, it eventually unlocks the liquor storage area in the Kitchen Cellar, allowing you to obtain some high-end beverages.

5. Build Bonds that Back Your Build

They Can Be Your Win Condition

Every inmate you connect with shares an exclusive talent with you. For instance, Sam the Donkey instructs you on mending damaged objects, whereas Jimmy the Giraffe imparts knowledge about the Stealth Backdoor technique, enabling you to decode electronic systems more effortlessly.

To optimize your character development, select compatible allies wisely. Prioritize forming bonds with inmates who possess useful talents that complement your desired attributes. Avoid squandering your strengths on individuals who may seem appealing but lack practical skills beneficial to your growth.

As a gamer, I know that picking the right dining buddy in the cafeteria can make all the difference. During lunchtime, I’m not shy about striking up a conversation with the fellow player sitting next to me, even if he seems like a captive audience. If our rapport is solid and fortune smiles on us, this companion might just share some extra bites from their meal, making my gaming session after lunch that much more enjoyable.

4. Pay Regular Visits to the Infirmary

Heal, Flirt, and Steal Some Pills

Essential items like painkillers, sleeping pills, and bandages are invaluable in prison, it goes without saying. However, obtaining them isn’t always straightforward. You could either pay smugglers a hefty sum of money or, if you’re resourceful, simulate illness, ask a guard to escort you to the infirmary, and discreetly acquire the supplies needed.

In the game ‘Back to the Dawn’, I need to drop by the infirmary. To do that, I chat with Billy, the muscular Bull Terrier guarding Cell Block A entrance. He’s always generous enough to give me free stuff every week! Just ask him for a ride to the infirmary, and he’ll likely escort me over right away.

Remember, Dr. Beth, who is the veterinarian at the prison, finishes work at 5:30 PM. If you want to acquire the valuable items in her room, it would be best to visit before that time, unless you already know the password. By the way, the password is connected to Beth’s birthdate, which varies in each gameplay session.

As a gamer, when she queries about the remedy I require, I’d pick pills and painkillers. This sends her scurrying out of the room for a short while, offering me the perfect opportunity to sneak a peek around and swipe some precious loot hidden away.

3. Turn on the Gift-Giving Hints in the Settings

Find Out Who Loves What with No Hassle

Navigate to the ‘Gameplay Settings’ section and toggle on the feature that provides suggestions about NPCs’ preferred presents. Once activated, you will receive helpful hints during relationship-building tasks to assist you in choosing the right gift for each personality.

To view the tips, click on the information card (which displays the NPC’s inventory and stats) and move your cursor towards the ‘Gifts’ tab located at the upper right corner. Remember that the tips might not show up immediately; you’ll need to work on building a relationship with the NPC first.

Among luxury items that are often considered contraband, such as cigarettes and certain drinks, tend to be favored by prisoners. As for non-player characters (NPCs), it’s safer to opt for risk-free choices like chocolates and cookies until you have a better understanding of their preferences.

2. Get Into the Extortion Business Early

Don’t If You Are a Moralist

Once established as a well-respected and somewhat intimidating inmate, you could exploit your power by coercing other, less dominant prisoners. This can be achieved by engaging with a fellow prisoner and demanding they hand over their possessions or money, much like Crunchy the Crocodile did to you at the outset of “Back to the Dawn“.

To become proficient at blackmail, forge a friendship with Hakuna the Warthog. He’ll show you the ‘Scarface’ skill, which boosts your chances of successful blackmail attempts.

Read More

2025-07-27 22:06