Undawn might have crossed your radar in recent weeks, especially with the cinematic trailer featuring none other than Will Smith. Pitching itself as a classic survival game with a twist, the hype around this project has been palpable. However, as you delve deeper, the initial excitement may ebb away into a sense of disappointment. This game, crafted by LightSpeed Studios (Makers of PUBG Mobile), may not exactly match up to your expectations.
In the lines that follow, we aim to evaluate Undawn objectively, without any bias against the developers. But here’s a caveat for those short on time – Undawn, in essence, is an online survival game, albeit burdened with tedious pay-to-win mechanics. In simpler terms, it’s akin to a zombified version of PUBG. Now, let’s dig deeper.
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Undawn Release Date
Undawn is set to launch for PC and mobile devices come June 15, 2023. As of now, there are no plans for a console release, but who knows what the upcoming months might bring? Discounting the mobile version, the game stands as a PC exclusive, much like many other survival FPS games.
The official site of the game has opened up pre-registration for the June 15 launch. You can pre-register on the site for a chance to secure one of the limited invitations. The site states that over 2.5 million people have already pre-registered, a number which, to us, seems slightly overblown.
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Trailers
There’s a fair number of videos on Undawn’s official YouTube channel, although only a handful fall into the commercial trailer category. We’ve already provided the link to the cinematic trailer starring Will Smith, and you can also watch the extended version, shared by Will himself on his own channel, via the link above.
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Gameplay
Undawn is not a new project. Originally conceived as an MMORPG and under development since 2020, it’s a survival game bearing significant resemblance to PUBG Mobile. It comes complete with a loot crate and reward system, a persistent online requirement, and an overall aesthetic that screams ‘Mobile game’. Does this pose a problem? The answer to that might be both ‘Yes’ and ‘No’, depending on your perspective.
The developers have consistently stated their aim is to bring a fresh approach to survival games on mobile platforms. Given the rather dire state of the genre, there’s indeed a chance they might pull it off with more intricate mechanics. But can Undawn’s gameplay actually deliver on this?
Well, the answer to that is a bit tricky. It features a base-building system reminiscent of Fallout 4, while its graphics and technical facets lag somewhat behind PUBG Mobile. The shooting mechanics are passable but certainly don’t match up to a PC game’s standards. As for survival mechanics, they’re a long way off from rivalling DayZ. In short, Undawn isn’t quite reaching for what The Day Before has promised. Instead, it aims to provide a low-cost, convenient, and entertaining mobile gaming experience.
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Is It Worth It?
It’s hard to be optimistic based on what we’ve seen so far. If you conduct a quick search on YouTube, you’ll find all the PUBG Mobile creators promoting the game. Before you devote your precious time, do check out those videos. In our view, Undawn is simply another cash cow resembling PUBG Mobile. There’s no doubt it’ll rake in millions if it catches on, though we see the chances of that happening as slim.
However, it isn’t the sales figures or annual revenue that determine the quality of a game. For the time being, considering its mechanics, PvP system, end-game content and much more, we wouldn’t recommend Undawn. But we’ll continue to monitor this game and be there at the June 15 launch. If our views alter, rest assured we’ll report back here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Undawn Available for Android?
Yes, Undawn can be played on both Android and iOS devices as well as on PC. To grab the game for your PC, just pop over to the Steam page. For mobile devices, the game will become available for download from official stores post-June 15th. Bear in mind that an active internet connection is required to play.
Is Will Smith in Undawn Game?
Yes, Will Smith will be taking on the role of a character named Trey Jones in Undawn. He will be fully integrated into the game, including not just motion capture, but voiceover as well. It’s somewhat of a surprise that Smith hasn’t made an appearance in any game prior to this. Bearing in mind his survival tale in “I am Legend”, it’s a rather apt coincidence that his gaming debut is another survival project.
Who Owns LightSpeed Studios?
LightSpeed Studios is under the umbrella of Tencent. The original name of the creators behind PUBG Mobile was LightSpeed & Quantum Studios. However, following the acquisition, the name was streamlined and the team was expanded to concentrate on their new venture, Undawn. We too are intrigued to see the degree of success this new survival project will achieve, with a worldwide release slated for the June 15.
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