Back to the Dawn breaks into the Nintendo Switch next year

Clouded Leopard Entertainment has announced that it’s bringing Back to the Dawn to Nintendo Switch. This prison break thriller RPG, originally developed by Metal Head Games and published Spiral Up Games, will get a worldwide release in 2026.

Set in a high-security prison, Back to the Dawn will have you investigate conspiracies, gather evidence, and enlist the help of your fellow inmates in order to break out.

Here’s a trailer:

For its console release, Back to the Dawn will be even better than ever. It’s the full version that players on Nintendo Switch will get, with an expanded storyline, enhanced localization, and additional voice acting (Japanese and Chinese).

Two Japanese voice actors have already been revealed:

• Thomas the Fox: Shugo Nakamura (Teru Tendo in The Idolmaster SideM and Ryota Miyagi in THE FIRST SLAM DUNK)
• Bob the Panther: Yasuhiro Mamiya (Jacob Kowalski in the Fantastic Beasts series and Heita Happousai (second generation) in Nintama Rantarou)

More voice actors will be revealed in the coming months.

Finally, here’s some additional details and some screenshots:

In this prison-escape-themed RPG, crime, conspiracy, and hidden traps intertwine, while the relationships between characters grow increasingly complex. Step into the role of an animal inmate, survive the harsh realities of prison life, explore, grow, and plan your escape.
Stay sharp—fight to prove your innocence, uncover the schemes lurking behind rival factions, and battle not just for your own freedom, but for the future of the city itself.
Meet a cast of unforgettable characters and experience an epic story in Back to the Dawn.

A Hardboiled Story Straight Out of the Movies
In a city of animals torn apart by corruption, play as a wrongfully convicted journalist or an undercover investigator forced into a brutal prison system. With allies working from the outside, gather evidence, follow every lead without leaving a trace, and fight to save yourself—and the city.

A Fully-Fledged RPG Packed with Content
Choose between two protagonists, each with a main story exceeding 20 hours of playtime. Encounter three powerful gangs, 47 uniquely crafted inmates, dozens of memorable NPCs, and take on over 100 intricately designed quests. With multiple escape routes, richly branching endings, and a script of over one million characters, this is a one-of-a-kind RPG experience.

Uncover the Prison’s Hidden Conspiracies
Though the prison appears orderly, dark secrets lurk beneath. A suspicious figure loiters in the shadows, strange noises echo from the kitchen’s back door, and a locked door at the end of a corridor has never been opened.
Gather scattered clues, trade information, and sneak out during lights-out to uncover the secrets and conspiracies festering within the prison—before time runs out.

A Deeply Immersive Virtual Experience
Blend seamlessly into prison life, follow the rules when you must, and make your mark when opportunity calls. Explore unfamiliar environments and take on a wide range of challenges.
Will you spend your days as a model prisoner in peace, or cause chaos as a notorious troublemaker? The choice is yours.

A Colorful Cast
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!

Open Character Growth System
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.”

Plan Your Prison Escape
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?

Back to the Dawn (Switch) does not have a release date yet, but is slated for a 2026 release worldwide.

Source: Clouded Leopard Entertainment