PCGame

Back to the Dawn

Pixel-art prison escape RPG with branching routes and a deadline

Metal Head Games · Published by Spiral Up Games · Released Jul 17, 2025

AdventureIndieRPGSimulationStrategy

Reviews
Very Positive
92% of 8,912
Recent reviews
Very Positive
92% of 76 in 30 days
Players
361
daily peak, Nov 7, 2026
Steam Deck
Verified
Last update on Steam
3 weeks ago
Oct 15, 2026
Minimum PC
GTX 750ti
4 GB RAM · 3 GB disk
Full requirements

Metacritic: 81/100 (critic reviews)

What is Back to the Dawn?

A pixel-art prison escape RPG set in a maximum-security facility, where you play as either a jailed journalist or an undercover agent. Explore the prison, take on quests, befriend or fight inmates, and craft tools as you investigate a conspiracy and plan an escape before time runs out.

For you if...

  • +you enjoy branching crime stories with different endings
  • +you like planning around prison routines and inmate relationships

Not for you if...

  • −you want unlimited time to explore without risking failure
  • −you prefer clear directions over working out quest requirements

What players say

92% of 8,912 reviews are positive · 92% of 76 in the last 30 days

Players praise the writing, distinct inmates, art, and variety of choices and escape routes. The most common complaint is that the deadline can make exploration feel rushed or cause unexpected failures; some players also find relationship-building repetitive and quest directions unclear.

Players over time

▲ +39% vs a month ago

Players online on Steam, one sample a day.

Highest since Sep 2026: 371 players on Nov 1, 2026.

Show the data
DayPlayers
Nov 7, 2026361
Nov 6, 2026220
Nov 5, 2026208
Nov 4, 2026203
Nov 3, 2026235
Nov 2, 2026198
Nov 1, 2026371
Oct 31, 2026336
Oct 30, 2026251
Oct 29, 2026223
Oct 28, 2026307
Oct 26, 2026226
Oct 25, 2026363
Oct 24, 2026255
Oct 23, 2026158
Oct 22, 2026145
Oct 21, 2026129
Oct 20, 2026145
Oct 18, 2026239
Oct 17, 2026219
Oct 16, 2026161
Oct 15, 2026201
Oct 14, 2026184
Oct 13, 2026175
Oct 11, 2026316
Oct 10, 2026210
Oct 9, 2026204
Oct 8, 2026194
Oct 7, 2026241
Oct 6, 2026219
Oct 4, 2026224
Oct 3, 2026207
Oct 2, 2026155
Oct 1, 2026141
Sep 30, 2026106
Sep 29, 2026102
Sep 27, 2026131
Sep 26, 2026126
Sep 25, 2026107
Sep 24, 202694
Sep 23, 2026162
Sep 23, 202686
Sep 22, 202646
Sep 21, 202664

How many players finish Back to the Dawn?

23% of Steam players have unlocked «Justice», the achievement for finishing the main story.

Share of everyone who owns the game on Steam, including those who barely played it. Updated weekly.

Screenshots and trailer

Back to the Dawn screenshot 1

Back to the Dawn system requirements

Minimum: GTX 750ti, 4 GB RAM, 3 GB of disk space.

As published by the developer.

Can my PC run Back to the Dawn?

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Minimum

OS
Windows 10
Processor
Intel i5
Graphics
Nvidia GTX 750ti
Memory
4 GB RAM
Storage
3 GB available space
Notes
Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system.

Recommended

OS
Windows 10
Processor
Intel i5
Graphics
Nvidia GTX 1650
Memory
8 GB RAM
Storage
3 GB available space
Notes
Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system.

Does Back to the Dawn have co-op or multiplayer?

No: single-player only, no multiplayer modes declared.

Does Back to the Dawn run on Steam Deck?

Verified Yes, Verified by Valve: it works on Steam Deck out of the box.

  • All functionality is accessible with the default controller configuration
  • Shows Steam Deck controller icons
  • In-game text is legible on Steam Deck
  • Default graphics settings perform well on Steam Deck

PC version details

DRM
None declared on Steam
Controller
Full controller support
Platforms
Windows
Achievements
46
Steam features
Cloud saves, Family Sharing, Trading cards
Languages
Full audio: Simplified Chinese. Text only: English, Japanese, Traditional Chinese, Korean, Russian, Spanish - Latin America, Vietnamese.

Does Back to the Dawn use AI-generated content?

No AI-generated content is disclosed on the game's Steam page.

Self-reported by the developer under Steam rules: it covers AI content that ships in the game, not tools used to make it. Steam page checked on Nov 6, 2026. How to filter AI games on Steam

Tags

Recent updates

3 DLC available.

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