Back to the Dawn Escapes Early Access Today on Steam and Xbox Series X|S

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Back to the Dawn Escapes Early Access Today on Steam and Xbox Series X|S

Critically-acclaimed prison break immersive sim now available with two full storylines and a launch discount

July 18, 2025 – Back to the Dawn, the pixel-art prison survival RPG from Metal Head Games and Spiral Up Games, breaks out of Early Access today with a major 1.0 update and simultaneous launch on Steam and Xbox Series X|S.

Alongside its console debut, the full release introduces the Black Panther Arc, a bold new narrative path with fresh quests, characters, and a darker moral lens, meaning that while returning players can dive deeper into the world they already know, the 1.0 release also offers new players the definitive way to experience Back to the Dawn, on PC or console, with all content available from day one.



Set in the corrupt walls of Boulderton Prison, Back to the Dawn combines stealth, strategy, and social survival in an environment where every inmate has a history — and every decision matters. Players can now choose between two equally deep storylines:

Thomas the Fox, an investigative journalist framed for exposing a political conspiracy, must dig for the truth while plotting his escape.

NEW: Bob the Panther, an undercover cop forced to live among the very criminals he once hunted, now must survive without blowing his cover — all while investigating a conspiracy that could shake the prison to its foundations.

The new Black Panther Arc adds fresh content and story developments to Back to the Dawn. Bob’s storyline includes new areas, characters, and choices that expand on the game’s focus on trust and survival. While Thomas is focused on proving his innocence, Bob is doing whatever it takes to survive in a world full of lies and shifting alliances. Their journeys are different, but both come with serious risks.

The 1.0 release also includes numerous content and quality-of-life upgrades. New quests, hidden locations, and expanded systems make this the richest version of Back to the Dawn yet — all fully optimized for gamepad. With a 92% positive rating on Steam, the game has earned praise for its richly detailed world, reactive storytelling, and distinct tone that blends tension, humour, and unpredictability.

Back to the Dawn is available now for $19.99, with a 15% launch discount during its first two weeks.