Keeping all eight friends alive until daylight in Until Dawn requires navigating a maze of hidden triggers, split-second quick-time events (QTEs), and seemingly minor character choices that have fatal consequences chapters later. A single wrong step or missed collectible can doom a character long before the credits roll.
This guide provides a definitive walkthrough to secure the "They All Live" trophy. We will cover the specific survival routes, crucial moral dilemmas, and hidden items needed to outlast the horrors of Blackwood Mountain.
The Golden Rules of Survival
Before diving into chapter-specific choices, three core mechanics dictate whether your group makes it off the mountain. Master these early to avoid accidental deaths.
- Never harm wildlife: Do not shoot squirrels, hit birds with snowballs, or attack deer. Showing restraint keeps relationships stable and prevents environmental hazards later.
- Respect the controller: When the "Don't Move" prompt appears, put your controller down on a flat surface. Motion sensors are sensitive, and even a slight twitch will get a character killed.
- Collect everything: Clues aren't just for lore. Finding specific pieces of evidence—particularly Hannah's journal—is the only way to alter the fate of certain characters in the endgame.
Early Game Choices (Chapters 1 to 4)
The initial hours establish baseline relationships and put characters in motion. Small acts of kindness matter here more than you might think.
When playing as Sam in Chapter 1, resist the urge to snoop through Chris's backpack, and later choose to close it instead. During the snowball fight with Mike and Jessica, ignore the target prompt when a bird lands near you; waiting patiently causes it to fly away naturally, keeping Mike and Jessica's mood positive.
When Jessica falls into the mineshaft in Chapter 3, Mike must choose to jump down and save her rather than taking the safer path around. When Mike and Jessica reach the cabin, build a fire immediately to warm her up.
In Chapter 4, when the Psycho forces Chris to choose between saving Ashley or Josh, choose to save Ashley. While this feels brutal to Josh, it is a necessary step to keep Chris alive later.
Mid-Game Dangers (Chapters 5 to 7)
As the true nature of the mountain reveals itself, the margin for error shrinks significantly.
In Chapter 6, Matt and Emily encounter a hostile herd of elk. Have Matt calm Emily down instead of attacking the animals. When Emily finds the flare gun, hand it to Matt. Later, when the radio tower collapses, choose to jump to safety rather than trying to haul Emily up. Matt needs that flare gun later to survive his own isolated descent.
As Ashley, explore the workshop thoroughly to find a pair of hidden scissors. When the Psycho ambushes Ashley later in the chapter, use those scissors to defend yourself. When Chris faces another horrific trap involving a buzzsaw, choose to do nothing instead of trying to shoot Ashley. Sparing her now ensures she won't leave him to die in a later sequence.
The Home Stretch (Chapters 8 to 10)
The final chapters test your reflexes during intense Wendigo encounters. Precision during QTEs is paramount.
When playing as Emily in the mines, hit every QTE to outrun the Wendigo. Even if she gets bitten, do not shoot her when Mike holds her at gunpoint in the safe room. The bite is not fatal to the group, but pulling the trigger certainly is.
As Mike clears out the sanatorium in Chapter 9, make sure to barricade the door rather than trying to run, which saves the wolf companion that helped you earlier. Do not shoot the explosive barrels during this skirmish, or Mike will be caught in the blast. Later, when Ashley hears a voice mimicking Jessica in the tunnels, do not investigate and do not open the trapdoor.
In Chapter 10, when Sam and Mike wade through the flooded pool, hug the left wall to find a hidden ledge. Climb up to read the Scrawled Journal. This single item is mandatory to reveal the truth to Josh and prevent his gruesome fate. Finally, during the lodge finale, successfully pass every single "Don't Move" prompt while Sam slowly makes her way to the light switch, allowing everyone else to escape.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if a character gets bitten by a Wendigo?
Unlike zombie tropes, a Wendigo scratch or bite is not an automatic death sentence for the group. Provided you keep calm during subsequent QTEs and refuse to let Mike shoot Emily in the safe room, bitten characters can still survive the night.
Can Josh be saved?
Yes, but only if you collect specific clues. You must find the Twin's forensic evidence and Hannah's journal in the mines during the final chapters. This grants Josh the context he needs to recognize his sister, altering his ultimate fate in the mines.
Does relationship status affect survival?
Indirectly, yes. Characters with high relationship stats are more cooperative during critical dialogue choices and QTE windows, making it less likely that they will abandon each other when things fall apart. For more details on game achievements, check out the PlayStation Store.
