As Dusk Falls Review: Is It Worth Playing?
Reviewed by TheTechVerdict Editorial · Last updated Sep 7, 2026 · Methodology
Metascore
via Metacritic
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About As Dusk Falls
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.
What is As Dusk Falls?
As Dusk Falls is an interactive drama at the crossroads of cinematic storytelling and video game choice mechanics. Developed by Interior/Night, a studio founded by former Quantic Dream creative director Caroline Marchal, it is a narrative experience first and foremost.
The game unfolds across two distinct timelines, beginning in 1998 with a fateful encounter at a remote Arizona motel. The story intertwines the lives of two families: the Walkers, a multi-generational clan travelling to start a new life, and the Holts, three brothers on the run after a botched robbery.
A tense hostage situation serves as the catalyst for a decades-spanning tale of consequence, family loyalty, and the ripple effects of a single night's decisions. The premise is the game's strongest asset, presenting a grounded, character-driven scenario that feels more akin to a prestige television drama than a typical video game epic.
The focus is squarely on human drama, moral ambiguity, and the weight of choice rather than action or puzzle-solving. It is a multi-platform title, available on Xbox consoles, PC, and through Xbox Game Pass, with a distinct emphasis on both solo and group play.
Gameplay
The gameplay of As Dusk Falls is almost entirely dedicated to narrative progression and decision-making. Players experience the story through a series of static, painterly scenes. Interaction is minimalistic: you will point and click to examine minor details, engage in quick-time events during moments of tension, and make frequent, often time-sensitive choices.
These decisions range from mundane dialogue options to critical moral dilemmas that can drastically alter relationships and plot trajectories. The core mechanic is the choice wheel, and its execution is both the game's greatest strength and a potential source of friction.
The Choice Wheel
The game excels at presenting choices that feel genuinely consequential and devoid of obvious 'good' or 'bad' paths. The branching narrative is impressively complex, with the game tracking a web of decisions that affect character fates across the entire 30-year saga.
The learning curve is non-existent; the barrier to entry is purely one's engagement with the story, not any mechanical skill. However, the actual moment-to-moment 'play' can feel passive. The quick-time events are simple, and the exploration is limited. This is not a game about challenge or mastery, but about observation and deliberation.
Multiplayer Voting
A unique and celebrated feature is its integrated multiplayer, which allows multiple players - either locally or online - to vote on decisions using their smartphones. This turns the experience into a compelling, debate-driven social event. The depth here is entirely narrative; you are playing for the story branches and the arguments they spark, not for mechanical depth.
Who is As Dusk Falls for?
As Dusk Falls is unequivocally for players who prioritise story over traditional gameplay. It is an ideal title for a more casual audience or for those who enjoy narrative-driven experiences like those from Telltale Games, Quantic Dream (Detroit: Become Human), or Supermassive Games (The Dark Pictures Anthology).
It distinguishes itself with a more mature, grounded tone, closer to a slow-burn thriller novel or TV series. It is also a fantastic game for social play. The multiplayer voting system makes it a perfect choice for a games night with friends or family who may not typically play video games, as the input method is simple and the drama is immediately engaging.
For the solo player, it offers a thoughtful, choice-heavy experience where your personal morality will be tested. It is less suited for hardcore gamers seeking mechanical complexity, constant action, or open-ended exploration. This is a directed, linear narrative at heart, despite its branching paths.
Graphics and Performance
The visual style of As Dusk Falls is its most striking and divisive feature. Interior/Night employs a unique hybrid technique, using motion-captured performances overlaid with a stylised, painterly art style. Characters resemble moving illustrations or animated oil paintings.
This artistic choice is bold and largely successful in creating a distinctive, dreamlike atmosphere that sets it apart from the more common 'digital actor' approach of its peers. It emphasises the storybook quality of the narrative, though some may find the disconnect between realistic motion and abstract visuals jarring.
Technical Performance
On a technical level, the game is undemanding. The scenes are largely static with minimal animation outside of the character performances. On PC, it runs exceptionally well even on modest hardware, with no notable performance issues or bugs encountered in our playthrough. The load times are brief, and the interface is clean.
The sound design and voice acting, however, are where the presentation truly shines. The score is subtle and effective, and the vocal performances are uniformly excellent, delivering the nuanced script with conviction that sells the emotional weight of the story.
Value for Money
As Dusk Falls is structured into two 'Books,' each comprising several chapters. A single playthrough from start to finish will take most players between 6 to 8 hours. However, the game's value is intrinsically tied to its replayability.
The extensive branching narrative, with multiple endings and drastically different character outcomes, actively encourages subsequent playthroughs to see how alternative choices unfold. The game features a clear timeline chart at the end of each chapter, revealing the paths not taken and explicitly inviting you to go back.
Priced as a premium narrative title, the justification depends entirely on your appetite for the experience. If you play through once and never return, the cost-per-hour may feel high compared to a longer RPG. However, if you engage with the branching paths, experiment with choices in multiplayer, or treat it like a box-set to be revisited, the content expands significantly.
Its availability on Xbox Game Pass from day one offers exceptional value for subscribers, making it a must-try on that service. At full price, it represents fair value for a dedicated narrative game fan, but the Game Pass route is the most compelling offer.
Verdict
As Dusk Falls is a compelling, mature, and technically accomplished interactive drama that succeeds brilliantly in its primary goal: telling a gripping, choice-driven story. Its unique art style, superb voice acting, and genuinely consequential branching narrative set a high bar for the genre. The integrated multiplayer voting system is a masterstroke, transforming it into a uniquely social gaming experience.
As Dusk Falls is a landmark title in narrative design, but it is not a game for everyone. It is for its intended audience: a remarkable achievement.
The stark divide between its high Metascore (88) and its more mixed Steam user rating (4.4/10) is telling. This chasm reflects the expectations of different audiences. Players approaching it as a traditional video game, expecting engaging core gameplay loops, will find it lacking - it is more visual novel than action-adventure. Those accepting it as a cinematic, choice-based narrative will discover one of the most sophisticated examples of the form.
We recommend As Dusk Falls wholeheartedly to story-focused players, to groups looking for a shared gaming experience, and to anyone with an Xbox Game Pass subscription. We would caution against it for players who require mechanical depth, constant interaction, or who are indifferent to slow-burn character drama.
Who it is for
- Story-focused players who prioritise narrative over traditional gameplay mechanics.
- Social groups looking for a shared, debate-driven gaming experience via the multiplayer voting system.
- Xbox Game Pass subscribers seeking exceptional value from a day-one title.
Who it is not for
- Hardcore gamers seeking mechanical complexity, constant action, or open-ended exploration.
- Players indifferent to slow-burn character drama or who require constant interaction.
- Those expecting a traditional action-adventure rather than a cinematic, choice-based narrative.
Frequently Asked Questions
As Dusk Falls is absolutely worth buying for fans of narrative-driven, choice-based games. Its strengths lie in a gripping, multi-generational story with exceptional writing and meaningful consequences that lead to vastly different endings. The unique art style is a bold and effective choice. While light on traditional 'gameplay,' it's a premium interactive novel experience. If you value story over action and enjoy titles like Telltale's catalog, this is a must-play, especially with its co-op features adding great replay value.
A single playthrough of As Dusk Falls takes approximately 6 to 8 hours. However, the game is built for multiple replays. Your choices drastically alter the story's path and conclusion, with the game tracking a 'story web' that reveals all possible narrative branches. To experience every major storyline variant and unlock all endings, you can expect to spend 15-20 hours or more. The relatively short runtime per playthrough encourages experimenting with different decisions.
Yes, As Dusk Falls features innovative multiplayer options. You can play locally or online with up to 8 players simultaneously. During key decisions, every player votes on the choice using their smartphone or controller, and the game follows the majority vote. This creates a fantastic social experience, debating moral dilemmas and witnessing the collective story unfold. There's also a dedicated 'Group Play' mode and a companion app to streamline the process, making it an excellent party game for story lovers.
As Dusk Falls was initially released on Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, and PC (via Steam and Microsoft Store). It is available day one on Xbox Game Pass for both console and PC, offering exceptional value for subscribers. As of now, there are no announced plans for PlayStation or Nintendo Switch ports. The game is developed by Interior/Night and published by Xbox Game Studios, making its permanent home on Xbox and PC ecosystems likely.
As Dusk Falls shares DNA with Telltale games in its choice-driven, narrative-focused design but carves its own path. It's more grounded and cinematic, focusing on realistic family drama rather than fantasy or horror. The branching is far more extensive, with a complex 'story web' showing tangible consequences. Its unique painted art style and multi-player voting system are significant differentiators. While Telltale games often feel like playing a TV season, As Dusk Falls feels like directing a tense, decades-spanning miniseries where control is genuinely shared.
Rating Summary
Game Details
- Platform
- Multi-platform
- Released
- 2022
- Price
- Free to Play