Toward Dawn is a premium role-playing PC game developed by Devi Serene. It's a retro adventure inspired by classic JRPGs and features a story inspired by Welsh mythology. It tells the story of an unlikely group of heroes on a quest for redemption and revenge after suffering a tragedy.

Much like Octopath Traveler II and Suikoden I & II HD Remaster, Toward Dawn boasts tactical turn-based combat that utilizes a combat mechanic that breaks enemy poise, which allows for greater attack damage and effects. Newcomers can check out a demo version to get a preview of the story and gameplay.

A tragic fate

Toward Dawn draws from Celtic legend and tells a story of trauma and the cycles of abuse one must go through to find redemption. It begins with Carys, an incanter of the Two Dragons, who is the sole survivor after her temple was raided and destroyed, and Bleddyn, a sword-wielding werewolf feared by society, who rescues her from her tragic fate.

Together, they will go on a perilous journey of redemption and revenge while dealing with the trauma of the past. They will encounter and save the Thornfield demesne heir, Idwal Thornfield, who will join their party, motivated by his own agenda. Each one boasts a dedicated skills tree, and you can combine attacks to trigger the Break System to leave enemies vulnerable to critical attacks.

Explore an open fantasy world and meet a wide cast of characters with stories to tell through animated cut scenes. Help them in exchange for gear that will provide bonuses and stat boosts. There are also multiple difficulty levels available and an optional romance gameplay. One thing that needs improvement is the small text size, which makes it hard to read UI elements and dialogue.

Tragic yet heartfelt

All in all, Toward Dawn is a charming JRPG-style adventure with a heartfelt tale of finding peace and redemption despite suffering tragedy. Its characters are all grounded and relatable, and the combat itself is also solid and offers plenty of challenge. Suffice it to say, it gets an easy recommendation and is a must-play if you're a fan of these types of games.