Back to the Dawn
by Metal Head Games · 17 Jul, 2025
32 downloads
About the Game
Back to the Dawn (动物迷城)
A gripping prison escape RPG woven with crime, corruption, and hidden agendas. Step into a maximum-security facility where every inmate has a past—and a plan. You'll have to fight to survive, investigate, and ultimately break free before the time runs out.
Uncover a scheme that threatens more than just your life—it could bring down the entire city. In this thrilling adventure, choices matter, and escape is your only salvation!
Choose between two protagonists — Thomas, a reporter caught in a web of lies, or Bob, an undercover agent sent deep into the prison system. Each storyline delivers over 20 hours of engrossing mystery, where your every choice matters. Navigate a prison ruled by three powerful gangs, interact with 47 uniquely crafted inmates, and uncover layers of intrigue through dozens of memorable NPCs.
With over 100 handcrafted quests, multiple escape routes—each with its own risks and rewards—several possible endings, and more than 500,000 words of gripping narrative, Back to the Dawn delivers a deeply replayable RPG unlike anything you've experienced.
Thomas the Fox is a journalist caught up in a dark conspiracy and who got thrown into a maximum-security prison for not playing ball. Working with your attorney friend on the outside, you must collect evidence to save yourself and the city from grave danger!
Bob the Panther is an undercover agent who has never failed on any of his missions, but he is growing exhausted of this line of work and wants out. But a personal tragedy drags him back for one last job in prison. Experience a hardboiled tale of betrayal, vengeance, and truth!
You’ll encounter all kinds of challenges as you explore your new environment. But will you be a model prisoner and just try to keep your head down, or will you leave a trail of chaos and destruction in your wake? It’s all up to you.
Meet a colorful cast of inmates in your prison, each with an interesting story to tell. You can either make them your friends or fight, bully and rob them into submission. Will you be part of a gang or a cunning lone wolf? Pick a side!
Are you a tough guy who lets his fists do the talking, a thief who hides in the shadows, or perhaps a smooth talker who manipulates the scene? Develop your skills, craft tools to suit your style, and climb your way from “new fish” to “top dog.”
In a place built to break you, your sharpest weapon is your creativity and cunning. Every inch of Boulderton Prison might hold the key to your escape, from your prison cell to the infirmary, to the sewers and even the rooftops. Can you break free?
Screenshots
14 images
Version Information
Steam Patch Notes
Official update history
Hello inmates,
As usual, thank you everyone for your support and feedback!
Here are the details of this update:
Optimization:
Added Chinese voice-over. You may enable and disable it in \.
Bug Fix:
Fixed an issue where skipping TV programs on the 2nd floor of the lobby could cause save file corruption.
Fixed an issue where character positioning was incorrect after selecting "Restart" after failing a Ultimate Fight match.
If you come across any issues, please let us know by filling out our bug report form. Your feedback is crucial in helping us improve the game and ensure your prison escape experience is as smooth and thrilling as possible.
Hello inmates,
As usual, thank you everyone for your support and feedback!
Here are the details of this update:
Bug Fix:
Adjusted the speed of auto-advance of English text
Fixed the bug in the dialogue log and the controller selection
If you come across any issues, please let us know by filling out our bug report form. Your feedback is crucial in helping us improve the game and ensure your prison escape experience is as smooth and thrilling as possible.
Hello inmates,
[img src="{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/41416966/fd5d183ff77393ed3973bb05725a4a0662c4bac5.jpg"]
Thank you everyone for your feedback and support! Back to the Dawn is participating Spiral Up Publisher Sale, and you can enjoy a 10% discount on the game! The discount will last till 7th November so be sure to catch it while you can. Don't say we didn't warn you!
Below are the details of this update:
Optimizations & Adjustments:
Added auto-play for conversations, with adjustable playback speeds in \.
Added chat history, allowing you to view the last three days of conversations in the \ tab on the main interface.
Increased speed for boxing matches from 2x to 4x.
You can now end cooking tasks early in the kitchen.
Bug Fix:
The Charmer skill now works correctly while bonding with Chris.
Text improvements for Simplified Chinese and Korean
"Back to the Dawn X Roulette Hero" Bundle OUT NOW!
Get the Back to the Dawn X Roulette Hero" Bundle to get two wonderful animal-themed games! Buy it now to stack the discounts from the Publisher Sale with the bundle discount!
[dynamiclink href="https://store.steampowered.com/bundle/59630/_x/"]
If you come across any issues, please let us know by filling out our bug report form. Your feedback is crucial in helping us improve the game and ensure your prison escape experience is as smooth and thrilling as possible.
Hello inmates,
Thank you for your continued support and feedback!
Here are the patch notes for this update:
Optimizations & Adjustments:
Added a fast travel feature, limited to the Main Building, located next to the quick return to cell button in the lower left corner.
Optimized the Item Encyclopedia feature so that when viewing prisoners who possess a specific item, their locations are displayed simultaneously.
Adjusted the initial display of the "Leave it to Bob" option in the Boiler Room Water Pipe mini-game.
Adjusted the placement of the Kangaroo after losing money and leaving the club on the 20th day in a certain branch to make it more logical.
Added a clue for delivering multiple quest items, requiring all items to be on hand for delivery.
Adjusted the Fox's location after 21 days when Black Panther is the protagonist, so that it will vary based on the number of days since the wallet was given.
Adjusted the action switching interval for prisoners playing basketball in the exercise area, appropriately delaying the delay.
Bug Fix：
Fixed an issue with the ending scene display being incorrect;
Fixed an issue where accepting the quest "Bruce's Money Problem" after the eighth day might prevent the main storyline from progressing;
Fixed an issue where the dialog box in the Boxing Ring and while bonding with Jumbo the Elephant was partially obscured by the screen edge;
Fixed an issue where characters moving items in the narrow space of the guard room's cleaning room might cause a freeze;
Fixed an issue where triggering the Endure Challenge while holding a mop in the guard room's cleaning room could cause a freeze;
Fixed an issue where the positions of some prisoners in the nighttime relationship screen were incorrectly displayed;
Fixed an issue where some prisoners' positions were wrong after a riot;
Fixed an issue where the character information in the lower right corner of the portrait might be wrong;
Fixed an issue where the Witness roll buff still applied during nighttime prayers in the church;
Fixed an issue in Thomas' route where on the afternoon of 10th day, Bernard the Capybara's level in the recreation area was incorrect.
Fixed an issue in Thomas' route where on the afternoon of 10th day, Rudolph the Reindeer's level in the general building was incorrect.
Fixed an issue where checking Dr. Harry's window during non-riot lockdown would trigger riot-related phrases.
Fixed an issue where the pop-up window for viewing cultural artifact skills could occasionally be closed.
Fixed an issue where a blur filter could occasionally appear in certain scenes.
Fixed an issue where you could still trigger the listening function after listening to inmates who have taken laxatives and left.
Fixed an issue where Fenra's character information could occasionally appear on the Sharp Tooth Gang relationship screen.
Fixed an issue where a certain quick jump option could allow players to reach the ground level during the day.
Fixed an issue where focus points would not be restored after winning certain battles when the "Esports Legend" skill was activated.
Fixed an issue where the "Game of Kings I" skill description did not match its actual effect.
Fixed an issue where, in multiplayer 1v2 combat, after performing a super-speed action in controller mode, it was possible to continue attacking a downed character.
Fixed an issue where clicking options in the opening scene of the cafe in the Fox arc could cause a freeze.
Fixed an issue where, after the 14th day roll call, clicking options in the dialogue with Bruce could cause a freeze if the Warden's invitation to a boxing match event was triggered.
If you come across any issues, please let us know by filling out our bug report form. Your feedback is crucial in helping us improve the game and ensure your prison escape experience is as smooth and thrilling as possible.
Dear inmates,
Thank you for your continued support and feedback!
Here are the patch notes for this update:
Optimizations & Adjustments:
Improved the loading speed when using Memory Recall, with a faster loading animation and removal of scene information display.
Optimized performance in sewer-related scenes.
Adjusted the Befriended condition. You must now befriend a prisoner before you can deepen your understanding of them.
Adjusted the trigger time for Thomas’s monologue when already befriended in Start New Game+. It can now be triggered on Day 1.
Improved collision detection for the package cart on the first floor of the prison.
Added the method to claim the Artbook in the DLC Bundle Guide on the main menu.
Adjusted the method of claiming items from the package cart. The cart will now display a maximum of 100 item records at a time. After collecting items, reopening the cart will refresh and show the remaining items.
Adjusted the UI layout of the Memory Recall (Load/Save) feature to improve the visibility of the New Save button.
Adjusted the save logic in Fenra’s chapter. Automatic Memory Recall saves will no longer be generated during this chapter.
Bug Fixes:
Fixed a softlock issue that occurred after helping prisoners play cards in the General Building when time passed 5:30 PM.
Fixed an issue where placing a Toothbrush Shank under Hakuna’s bed would show time consumption but did not actually consume time.
Fixed an issue where the Black Panther escape cutscene with Fenra would get stuck in the operating room.
Fixed an issue where players could challenge Crunchy in the hospital.
Fixed an issue where entering the hospital examination room by guessing the password would result in a prompt saying the player had no password upon exit.
Fixed abnormal door behavior for the Church Lounge and the Staff Block cleaning room.
Fixed an issue where weapons with cutting traits could not use combat skills, specifically the Holy Sword.
Fixed an issue where invisible walls appeared around chairs in the cafeteria.
Fixed a text display issue where speaking to the guard in the Staff Block and going to the infirmary would result in garbled text.
Fixed an issue where having the Iron Throne skill would prevent stamina gain when using the toilet in certain locations.
If you come across any issues, please let us know by filling out our bug report form. Your feedback is crucial in helping us improve the game and ensure your prison escape experience is as smooth and thrilling as possible.
Added a new track: "Eyes on the Screen – Battle Mix"
Replaced the track: "Gambling"
Hello Inmates!
Thank you everyone for your support and feedback!
Here are the details of this update:
Optimization and adjustments：
Soda can now be consumed in batches;
A new prompt for the steps to claim the Supporter Pack DLC has been added to the main menu;
The option to apply for a psychiatric evaluation from Dr. Beth has been adjusted, and it has been moved to the same floor as the injection. It will no longer disappear after chatting;
The use of the inspection doors on both sides of the pipe area has been optimized. You can now unlock and enter and exit freely from the Recreation Yard;
Changed the jumping conditions of the jump point at the Recreation Yard's sewers. Now you can perform the jump challenge when the power is off;
Fix
Fixed the issue where the rooftop jailbreak might fail to trigger the action of hiding the glider component;
Fixed the issue that Black Panther did not receive the betting point bonus after buying 10 lottery tickets;
Fixed the issue that the infinite mode of "Mineworld" could not be played in segregation;
Fixed the issue that Thomas and Bill behaved abnormally when bathing in the bathroom at night on D19;
Fixed the issue that the seating arrangement of prisoners in the church was wrong in the afternoon on D19;
Fixed the issue that there was a chance that the animation could be triggered and the opponent could not fall to the ground after being defeated in battle;
Fixed an issue where the "Not enough time" dialogue would still trigger even if the player completed the action within the required time limit.
If you come across any issues, please let us know by filling out our bug report form. Your feedback is crucial in helping us improve the game and ensure your prison escape experience is as smooth and thrilling as possible.
Hello inmates! Thank you all for your support and feedback!
Here are the details of this update:
Fixes:
Fixed an issue where players could get stuck or clip through the environment when interacting with the doors of the Chapel Lounge and the Staff Block Cleaning Room.
If you come across any issues, please let us know by filling out our bug report form. Your feedback is crucial in helping us improve the game and ensure your prison escape experience is as smooth and thrilling as possible.
Hello Inmates!
Thank you once again for all your support and feedback!
Here are the details of this update:
Improvements and adjustments：
Removed the reputation level requirement for choosing the "Persuade him to let go" option when Crunchy blackmails Thomas at the cafeteria door on the first and seventh afternoons, and appropriately lowered the challenge point requirement;
Bob can now go to the mental rehabilitation unit at night to use "hacking skills" to crack the "consultation room door" and "pharmacy door" after performing "Dr. Harry's psychological treatment".
If Bob now asks Richard and Franklin to make "special tools" during the day and completes their request before the evening arrives, he can get the "special tools" that night. (If the requirements are completed at night, you still need to wait until the roll call tomorrow morning to get the tools);
The width of the "green success area" for the "cutting vegetables" task in the kitchen helper game has been widened;
The speed of the red progress bar after the stewing timeout has been slowed down, so that the stew is less likely to be "burnt";
The time required to complete a "grinding" task has been shortened;
Bug Fix
Fixed the issue with duplicated psychiatric evaluation certificates being obtained.
If you come across any issues, please let us know by filling out our bug report form. Your feedback is crucial in helping us improve the game and ensure your prison escape experience is as smooth and thrilling as possible.
Hello inmates!
Thank you everyone for your support and feedback!
Here are the details of this update:
Improvements and adjustments:
Adjusted the combat skill "Disarm Stance", which will give an additional 8% dodge chance during its effect;
Adjusted the combat skill "Riot Control", which will hit the target when used and will deduct an additional 10 points of the opponent's energy;
Adjusted the recipe for the "Hang Glider Keel", reducing the required 9 dowels to 6; Using \[Snap Gun] to pry the second lock of the double wafer lock on the side door of the pipeline area will not consume an additional focus point;
Added task clues for how to approach the dining cart to hide the watch;
Added floating highlight and interactive white label prompts for the interaction of the wooden board at the railing of the sewer;
Adjusted the location arrangement of Phil the Otter on the third morning, so that Bob has the opportunity to "talk" with Phil alone;
Adjusted the objective hints for the main quest related to the Cistern.
Reduced the attribute requirements of the high platform jump action at the lower position of the sewer ventilation area from 10 to 8, and the completion points were also reduced by 2 points;
Optimized action trigger that will lead to a route to the nameless open space. Now after checking the iron mesh, the player will be directly prompted how to go there;
Added prompts for the hidden tool mission stage, and Bob will mark the suspected location on the map;
Bob’s 1v3 ambush will now affect the actual combat based on his Strength attribute.
Adjusted the initial acquaintance status of Lin the Pangolin when Bob the Panther is the protagonist.
Adjusted the unarmed attack type of the Pelican and Swan from blunt to slashing.
Reduced the Swan’s maximum HP by 10.
Updated the performance point deduction rules for moving prison cells. After moving a cell once, subsequent moves will no longer consume performance points.
Bug Fix：
Fixed the issue that the player get stuck on the ladder when the player interacted with the prison roof and ladder to view the iron barrel;
Fixed the issue that the gray cat could not be beaten on the fifth night when Black Panther was the protagonist.
Fixed an issue where invisible walls could occasionally appear in the cafeteria.
Fixed an issue where completing the underground waterway route could sometimes prevent the first objective of the “Breakout” mission from being completed.
Fixed a misalignment issue with the Fox's bathing position on Day 11.
If you come across any issues, please let us know by filling out our bug report form. Your feedback is crucial in helping us improve the game and ensure your prison escape experience is as smooth and thrilling as possible.
Hello inmates!
Thank you for your support and feedback!
Here are the details of this update:
Fixed the bug where after retrieving "Wesley's Recording Watch", there is a chance that the subsequent actions cannot be triggered, causing the progress of the main quest to be stuck. (For players who have already encountered this issue, subsequent actions for the main quest will be triggered after leaving the cooking room or actively interacting with the prisoner crafting table.)
Additionally, due to a Steam technical issue, there are currently two purchase options showing on the store page. Please make sure to choose the one with the discount! We’re urgently working to resolve this and apologize for the inconvenience.
We would also like to address an issue related to the support packs: the Back to the Dawn Concept Art Collection is currently only available in Simplified Chinese due to scheduling and typesetting challenges. We plan to add other languages at a later date and hope for your understanding. Thank you for your patience!
If you come across any issues, please let us know by filling out our bug report form. Your feedback is crucial in helping us improve the game and ensure your prison escape experience is as smooth and thrilling as possible.
Hello, inmates!
Since the official release of Back to the Dawn, we’ve received a lot of valuable feedback, and our team has been working non-stop to address the issues. Thank you all for your continued support!
Here are the details of the latest update:
Fixed an issue where players would get stuck and unable to interact after entering the Hidden Room Movie CD-ROM scene while using a controller.
Fixed a bug where, after entering the Hidden Room Movie CD-ROM scene while in the "borrowing a book" state, the borrow UI would remain permanently visible even after returning the book.
Fixed incorrect quick key prompts when leaving the Hidden Room Movie CD-ROM scene in controller mode.
Fixed an issue where the number of days served would display incorrectly when playing as the Black Panther.
Fixed a bug where collecting the “package mailed by Rocky” from the delivery cart would cause the game to freeze if there were other items already in the cart.
Corrected several text typos.
We would also like to address an issue related to the support packs: the Back to the Dawn Concept Art Collection is currently only available in Simplified Chinese due to scheduling and typesetting challenges. We plan to add other languages at a later date and hope for your understanding. Thank you for your patience!
Additionally, due to a Steam technical issue, there are currently two purchase options showing on the store page. Please make sure to choose the one with the discount! We’re urgently working to resolve this and apologize for the inconvenience.
We truly appreciate all the love and support you've shown for Back to the Dawn. We hope you're enjoying your time behind bars—especially following Bob’s storyline! If you come across any issues, please let us know by filling out our bug report form. Your feedback is crucial in helping us improve the game and ensure your prison escape experience is as smooth and thrilling as possible.
Current Release
22259489
Uploaded Apr 01, 2026
Update already requested
Uploaders have been notified
A newer version is available but not yet uploaded
Help keep this updated
Login Required
You need to be logged in to request game updates. Would you like to go to the login page?
Request Update
Request an update for Back to the Dawn? This will notify uploaders that this game has an available update.
Request Submitted
Your update request has been submitted successfully! Uploaders will be notified.
Request Failed
Failed to submit update request:
System Requirements
How to Install
Back To The Dawn.exe to play
Troubleshooting tips
• Run Redist/_CommonRedist installers if game won't start
• Add folder to Windows Defender exclusions
• Run as administrator
Download
Direct link available
1.3 GB
22259489
4BD445A0
5a7c81c5aff831ec6bd4f645fddb6810bef3b9abb374a95c44aa6fa14ad555d9
You May Also Like
View All
Download Back to the Dawn for PC with a direct link or via torrent. Get the full version of Back to the Dawn for free. Back to the Dawn is a Adventure released by Metal Head Games.