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
- 94% of 10K
- Recent reviews
- Very Positive
- 96% of 60 in 30 days
- Playing now
- 86
- right now
- Steam Deck
- Verified
- Last update
- 4 months ago
- May 11, 2026
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
94% of 10,435 reviews are positive · 96% of 60 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.
Screenshots and trailer
Back to the Dawn system requirements
As published by the developer.
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.
PC version details
DRM, required accounts, controller support and Steam features.
- DRM
- None declared on Steam
- Controller
- Full controller support
- Platforms
- Windows
- Achievements
- 46
- Steam features
- Cloud saves, Family Sharing, Trading cards
Steam Deck: Verified
- 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
Multiplayer and co-op
Languages
Full audio: Simplified Chinese. Text only: English, Japanese, Traditional Chinese, Korean, Russian, Spanish - Latin America, Vietnamese.
Tags
- RPG
- Pixel Graphics
- Story Rich
- Choices Matter
- Detective
- Multiple Endings
- Strategy RPG
- Adventure
- Crime
- Singleplayer
- Investigation
- Indie
- Mystery
- Simulation
- CRPG
- Strategy
Recent updates
- May 11, 2026 · 【v2.0.0.32】Spanish (Latin America) and Vietnamese localization + Bug Fixes
- Mar 5, 2026 · 【V2.0.0.31】New Chinese Voice-over and Bug Fixes
- Nov 6, 2025 · 【v2.0.0.29】Bug Fixes
- Oct 31, 2025 · 【v2.0.0.29】Bug Fixes and Optimizations
- Sep 12, 2025 · Exciting Developments: More console ports + Korean localization【V2.0.0.28】
3 DLC available.
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