PS5 Getting Prison Break RPG with 94% Positive Reviews

An award-winning pixel-art game called Back to the Dawn is set to arrive on PlayStation 5 in October 2026. Many compare its in-depth, branching story to Disco Elysium, while its level of freedom is so extensive that Back to the Dawn could almost be considered a borderline life simulation.

Developed by indie studio Metal Head Games, Back to the Dawn is already available on most major platforms, including Xbox, Switch, and PC via Steam, where it holds a Very Positive rating from over 10,000 reviews. PS5 players who enjoy prison break RPGs will now also get the chance to experience its critically acclaimed gameplay and story.

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Back to the Dawn Gameplay Features

Different endings
Multiple ways to escape the prison
Two different playable characters with distinct stories: Thomas the Fox and Bob the Panther
Dozens of in-game side activities
Lots of side quests
Relationship and friendship mechanics
Gangs and affiliates
Character skills and specializations
New Japanese and Chinese voice acting

Publisher Clouded Leopard Entertainment has confirmed that Back to the Dawn is coming to PS5 on October 22, 2026. The release will be accompanied by a limited-edition physical box in select regions, while the rest of the world will receive the digital version on the PlayStation Store. While Back to the Dawn currently carries different price points across Steam, Microsoft, and Nintendo eShop, the PS5 digital edition is set to cost $34.99 USD.

Scratch & Peek

Identify the cover art while scratching off as little foil as
possible.

Back to the Dawn is one of the most replayable games in its genre, thanks to its multiple playstyles and endings. Each playthrough can feel different, with RNG-driven elements and player choices that significantly alter the course of events. Metal Head Games’ pixel-art RPG contains so much content that some reviews even note its sheer number of choices can feel overwhelming for certain players.

Players have a 21-day countdown in each playthrough to achieve the protagonists’ goal of escaping prison. However, Back to the Dawn‘s gameplay offers complete freedom in how that goal is achieved, whether through a careful stealth-based escape plan, bribing guards, or even forming a romantic relationship that can help enable the break. Failure is also an option, and many players reportedly do not complete the mission in their first playthrough.

Despite its cute art style, which can be compared to many cozy life simulation games, Back to the Dawn is an intense RPG with a relatively steep learning curve. Players’ daily prison routine is highly immersive, with mandatory activities like labor and time outside the cell that can influence gameplay in many ways. There is also a dice-roll mechanic that affects the outcome of certain player choices, adding another layer of unpredictability to the game’s already complex narrative.

Developer Metal Head Games is also working on DLC for Back to the Dawn, which appears set to shift the game’s tone with a supernatural, fantasy theme. Not much is known about the additional content, other than that it will make Bam the Gray Cat a playable character. The DLC does not yet have a release date, but it will likely arrive sometime after the PS5 edition launches.