76
MONSTER
As Dusk Falls is an original interactive drama from INTERIOR/NIGHT that explores the entangled lives of two families across thirty years. Starting in 1998 with a robbery-gone-wrong in small town Arizona, the choices you make have a powerful impact on the characters’ lives in this uncompromising story of betrayal, sacrifice and resilience. Drive the lives and relationships of multiple characters in a decades-spanning story told across two intense books.
Game analysis
Monster Scorecard
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Story and Narrative
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85
Praised for its non-linear storytelling, emotional depth, and branching choices, As Dusk Falls dazzles with layered narratives and moral complexity, though critics cite clichés, uneven pacing, a disjointed second act, and an unsatisfying ending that detract from its ambition.
SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR STORY
Story Score
85
Positive Reviews (80-100)
81%
Mixed Reviews (50-79)
16%
Negative Reviews (0-49)
2%
Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the story and narrative.
TL;DR
story and narrative
Praised for its non-linear storytelling, emotional depth, and branching choices, As Dusk Falls dazzles with layered narratives and moral complexity, though critics cite clichés, uneven pacing, a disjointed second act, and an unsatisfying ending that detract from its ambition.
Gameplay Mechanics
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68
As Dusk Falls dazzles with a gripping narrative and innovative choices but falters as gameplay feels shallow, repetitive, and overly reliant on clunky mechanics—prioritizing story over substance.
SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR GAMEPLAY
Gameplay Score
68
Positive Reviews (80-100)
16%
Mixed Reviews (50-79)
76%
Negative Reviews (0-49)
8%
Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the gameplay mechanics.
TL;DR
gameplay mechanics
As Dusk Falls dazzles with a gripping narrative and innovative choices but falters as gameplay feels shallow, repetitive, and overly reliant on clunky mechanics—prioritizing story over substance.
Graphics and Visual Design
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77
As Dusk Falls’s art style is a bold, cinematic gamble—painterly visuals and motion-comic flair earn praise for emotional depth and uniqueness, but stiff animations, technical flaws, and jarring contrasts leave some frustrated, splitting opinions between artistic ambition and execution gaps.
SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR VISUALS
Visual Score
77
Positive Reviews (80-100)
42%
Mixed Reviews (50-79)
56%
Negative Reviews (0-49)
2%
Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the graphics and visual design.
TL;DR
graphics and visual design
As Dusk Falls’s art style is a bold, cinematic gamble—painterly visuals and motion-comic flair earn praise for emotional depth and uniqueness, but stiff animations, technical flaws, and jarring contrasts leave some frustrated, splitting opinions between artistic ambition and execution gaps.
Music and Sound Design
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79
Critics hailed As Dusk Falls’ sound design and score as atmospheric masterpieces, with Forest Swords’ music praised for deepening emotional beats and immersive storytelling—though some called it blandly functional and noted audio hiccups.
SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR SOUND DESIGN
Sound Score
79
Positive Reviews (80-100)
68%
Mixed Reviews (50-79)
30%
Negative Reviews (0-49)
2%
Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the music and sound design.
TL;DR
music and sound design
Critics hailed As Dusk Falls’ sound design and score as atmospheric masterpieces, with Forest Swords’ music praised for deepening emotional beats and immersive storytelling—though some called it blandly functional and noted audio hiccups.
Voice Acting
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83
As Dusk Falls’ voice acting is a masterclass in emotional resonance, with standout performances by Elias Toufexis and Jane Perry that breathe life into static visuals, though uneven delivery and technical hiccups in some dubs slightly dim an otherwise stellar show.
SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR VOICE ACTING
Acting Score
83
Positive Reviews (80-100)
75%
Mixed Reviews (50-79)
23%
Negative Reviews (0-49)
1%
Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the voice acting.
TL;DR
voice acting
As Dusk Falls’ voice acting is a masterclass in emotional resonance, with standout performances by Elias Toufexis and Jane Perry that breathe life into static visuals, though uneven delivery and technical hiccups in some dubs slightly dim an otherwise stellar show.
Technical Performance
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62
As Dusk Falls delivers a compelling narrative but stumbles on technical execution: Xbox Series X/S shines with smooth gameplay, PS5 lacks console-specific polish, PC grapples with frame drops, and Xbox One faces glitches—yet core mechanics keep it afloat.
SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR TECHNICAL PERFORMANCE
Tech Score
62
Positive Reviews (80-100)
9%
Mixed Reviews (50-79)
73%
Negative Reviews (0-49)
18%
Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the technical performance.
TL;DR
technical performance
As Dusk Falls delivers a compelling narrative but stumbles on technical execution: Xbox Series X/S shines with smooth gameplay, PS5 lacks console-specific polish, PC grapples with frame drops, and Xbox One faces glitches—yet core mechanics keep it afloat.
Replay Value
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78
As Dusk Falls dazzles with a branching narrative that rewards replayability through bold choices, diverse outcomes, and a sprawling story tree, but its refusal to let players skip dialogues, hollow decision impacts, and repetitive pacing undermine its potential—yet its multiplayer depth and hidden secrets still make it a compelling, if flawed, journey.
SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR REPLAY VALUE
Replay Score
78
Positive Reviews (80-100)
53%
Mixed Reviews (50-79)
46%
Negative Reviews (0-49)
1%
Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the replay value.
TL;DR
replay value
As Dusk Falls dazzles with a branching narrative that rewards replayability through bold choices, diverse outcomes, and a sprawling story tree, but its refusal to let players skip dialogues, hollow decision impacts, and repetitive pacing undermine its potential—yet its multiplayer depth and hidden secrets still make it a compelling, if flawed, journey.
Overall Verdict
76
MONSTER
OVERALL SCORE DISTRIBUTION
Monster Score
76
Positive Reviews (80-100)
63%
Mixed Reviews (50-79)
36%
Negative Reviews (0-49)
1%
Based on analyzing all available reviews that scored and critiqued the game.
TL;DR
A masterclass in narrative-driven gaming, As Dusk Falls dazzles with rich character arcs, emotionally charged writing, and immersive voice acting, but falters under uneven pacing, a disjointed second act, and gameplay that feels overly passive. While its flaws—technical glitches, a lackluster ending, and simplified mechanics—hold it back from greatness, its bold storytelling and replayability cement it as a must-try for fans of interactive drama, even if it falls short of revolutionizing the genre.
76
MONSTER
Reviews
141 reviews found100
PlayStation Universe
Mar 11, 2024
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
As Dusk Falls is a beacon of narrative excellence, setting a new standard for interactive dramas with its compelling storytelling, character development, and innovative visuals.
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100
Xbox Tavern
Jul 18, 2022
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
As Dusk Falls is a stellar example of the narrative adventure genre, with a fantastic cast of characters, twists and turns, and a stunning art style and soundtrack. It is one of the best examples of the genre and one of the best titles of the year so far.
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100
Impulsegamer
Aug 1, 2022
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
The reviewer praises As Dusk Falls, stating that there is almost nothing to dislike about the game. It is described as exceeding expectations and bringing something new and refreshing to the table.
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95
Wccftech
Jul 18, 2022
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
As Dusk Falls is a fantastic game with an intriguing story, excellent gameplay, and beautiful visuals. It may have some minor issues with choices not matching the player's expectations, but overall, it is highly recommended.
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92
Impulsegamer
Mar 29, 2024
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
The game is highly recommended for fans of the interactive adventure genre, praised for its engaging story, character depth, and unique presentation, making it a standout title.
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90
GameSpot
Jul 18, 2022
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
As Dusk Falls is an instant classic in the narrative adventure genre. It tells a complete and excellent story, with nuanced characters and dialogue options. It leaves room for a sequel and explores under-explored themes in video games.
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90
IGN Brasil
Jul 19, 2022
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
As Dusk Falls é uma obra-prima de narrativa ramificada, com uma experiência envolvente tanto para jogadores solo quanto em grupo. A combinação de uma história intensa, escolhas significativas e um design visual único faz dele uma recomendação forte para fãs do gênero.
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90
TheXboxHub
Jul 26, 2022
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
As Dusk Falls is a confident debut game with superb storytelling and a satisfying narrative experience. It is recommended for fans of Life is Strange and Telltale games who want more generous reactions to their choices.
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90
The Loadout
Jul 18, 2022
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
As Dusk Falls is a captivating narrative-focused game that grounds itself in human experiences and captures the hallmarks of prestige TV with its acting, writing, and style. It is one of the best interactive adventures of the year.
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90
GameSkinny
Jul 19, 2022
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
As Dusk Falls is a stellar entry in the interactive narrative genre with a gripping story and excellent performances.