《動物迷城 ～Back to the Dawn～》（日文副標題：ブレイク・ザ・アニマル・プリズン）是由Metal Head Games開發的懸疑越獄CRPG（電腦角色扮演遊戲），以擬人化動物社會為舞台，融合犯罪、陰謀、生存與角色扮演要素，打造出一部風格獨特、敘事密度極高的作品。Steam正式版已於2025年7月18 日推出，而 Nintendo Switch 2版與Nintendo Switch版則預計於2026年3月5日全球同步發行，後續亦推出PlayStation 5版本，並針對主機平台進行全面優化與語音強化。

故事背景設定在一座表面秩序井然、實則暗潮洶湧的巨大動物監獄中。玩家將扮演兩名可選主角之一，其一是被冤枉入獄的狐狸記者「托馬斯」，他原本追查一宗足以動搖整座城市的重大醜聞，卻反被設局成為代罪羔羊；另一位主角則是黑豹潛入搜查官「鮑伯」，肩負秘密任務潛入監獄，試圖從內部瓦解盤根錯節的犯罪勢力。兩名主角各自擁有超過二十小時的主線劇情，視角與立場不同，卻同樣牽動著監獄與城市未來的命運。

在劇情推進過程中，必須在嚴苛的獄中生活中求生，白天遵守紀律、工作、與其他囚犯互動，夜晚則在熄燈後偷偷行動，探索禁區、蒐集證據、交換情報。這座監獄看似運作正常，但實際上到處藏著異樣線索：長期上鎖的走廊盡頭、食堂後門傳來的可疑聲響、深夜在角落出沒的神秘身影，全都指向一場更龐大的陰謀。隨著調查深入，將逐步揭開三大幫派之間的權力鬥爭，以及他們與獄外勢力勾結的真相。

操作與玩法方面，是高度自由、極度重視選擇後果的 CRPG。可以決定自己在監獄中的生存方式，是安分守己當個模範囚犯，還是成為製造混亂的麻煩人物，一切行動都會影響其他角色對你的態度，並進而改變劇情走向。遊戲提供多樣化的角色成長系統，玩家可依喜好培養不同路線，選擇以拳頭說話的硬派戰鬥型角色、潛行暗殺的盜賊型風格，或是擅長交涉、說服甚至駭客技術的智謀派玩法。技能學習、裝備收集與道具製作彼此緊密結合，讓角色從默默無聞的新囚犯，一步步成長為左右監獄局勢的關鍵人物。

人際關係也是遊戲核心之一。監獄中的每一名角色幾乎都有自己的背景與傷痕，玩家可以選擇與他們合作、互相利用，甚至背叛與操控；也可以孤身一人周旋於各大勢力之間，靠自己的手段存活下來。這種高度互動的設計，使劇情呈現出多線分歧與多重結局，真正讓玩家感受到「選擇塑造命運」的重量。脫獄路線亦不只一種，洗衣房、醫務室、下水道、停車場等地點都暗藏關鍵拼圖，如何組合線索、善用環境，全憑玩家的觀察力與想像力。

在市場評價方面，於Steam推出正式版並加入全新故事線後，迅速獲得媒體與玩家的高度肯定。截至2025年8月28日，本作在Metacritic上取得84分的成績，顯示其整體品質與敘事深度獲得專業評測的認可。在玩家社群中表現同樣亮眼Steam平台累積超過六千則評論，並以93%的正面評價獲得「極度好評」標章，口碑與人氣兼具。

主機版本除針對字幕進行潤飾外，還追加中文與日文角色語音，讓監獄內錯綜複雜的心理攻防與懸疑氛圍更具臨場感。整體而言，《動物迷城 ～Back to the Dawn～》不僅是以越獄為主題的角色扮演遊戲，更是一部描寫權力、自由與人性（動物性）抉擇的濃厚敘事作品。用高度自由的系統與大量文本，構築出一個令人難忘的監獄世界，也讓玩家在一次次抉擇中，深刻體會「黎明之前」究竟需要付出多大的代價。

Back to the Dawn (Japanese subtitle: Break the Animal Prison) is a suspenseful prison-break CRPG (computer role-playing game) developed by Metal Head Games. Set in an anthropomorphic animal society, the game blends elements of crime, conspiracy, survival, and role-playing to create a highly distinctive work with exceptional narrative density. The full version launched on Steam on July 18, 2025, while the Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch versions are scheduled for a worldwide release on March 5, 2026. A PlayStation 5 version will also follow, featuring comprehensive console optimizations and enhanced voice support.

The story takes place in a massive animal prison that appears orderly on the surface but is rife with hidden turmoil beneath. Players can choose between two protagonists. One is Thomas, a fox journalist who has been falsely imprisoned after investigating a scandal powerful enough to shake the entire city, only to be framed as a scapegoat. The other is Bob, a panther undercover investigator who infiltrates the prison on a secret mission to dismantle deeply rooted criminal organizations from within. Each protagonist has a main storyline exceeding twenty hours in length; while their perspectives and motivations differ, both are tightly connected to the fate of the prison and the future of the city beyond its walls.

As the narrative unfolds, players must struggle to survive the harsh realities of prison life. By day, they follow regulations, work assigned jobs, and interact with fellow inmates. By night, after lights-out, they sneak into restricted areas, gather evidence, and trade information. Although the prison seems to function normally, strange clues are scattered everywhere: permanently locked doors at the end of corridors, suspicious noises from behind the cafeteria, and mysterious figures appearing in corners late at night. All of these signs point toward a much larger conspiracy. As the investigation deepens, players gradually uncover the power struggles among the three major gangs and the truth behind their collusion with outside forces.

In terms of gameplay, Back to the Dawn is a highly free-form CRPG that places heavy emphasis on the consequences of player choice. Players decide how they will survive in prison—whether by behaving as a model inmate or by becoming a notorious troublemaker. Every action affects how other characters perceive you and, in turn, alters the direction of the story. The game offers a rich character progression system, allowing players to develop different playstyles: a brute-force fighter who relies on fists, a stealth-focused thief who strikes from the shadows, or a cunning strategist skilled in negotiation, persuasion, and even hacking. Skill acquisition, equipment collection, and item crafting are closely intertwined, enabling characters to grow from unknown newcomers into figures who can influence the balance of power within the prison.

Interpersonal relationships are another core pillar of the game. Nearly every character in the prison carries their own history and scars. Players can choose to cooperate with them, exploit them, betray them, or manipulate them; alternatively, they can walk alone, maneuvering between factions purely through their own ingenuity. This high level of interaction creates multiple branching storylines and endings, giving real weight to the idea that “choices shape destiny.” There is no single escape route either—key pieces to a successful breakout are hidden throughout the prison, from the laundry room and infirmary to the sewers and parking areas. How players combine clues and make use of their surroundings depends entirely on their observation skills and imagination.

From a market reception standpoint, after the Steam release added new storylines, Back to the Dawn quickly earned strong acclaim from both critics and players. As of August 28, 2025, the game holds a score of 84 on Metacritic, reflecting broad recognition of its overall quality and narrative depth. Player response has been equally impressive, with over 6,000 reviews on Steam and a 93% positive rating, earning it the “Overwhelmingly Positive” label and confirming both its popularity and reputation.

The console versions not only refine subtitles but also add full Chinese and Japanese voice acting, further enhancing the tension-filled psychological battles and the dense atmosphere of intrigue within the prison. Overall, Back to the Dawn is more than just a prison-break role-playing game—it is a deeply narrative-driven work that explores power, freedom, and the nature of choice. Through its high degree of freedom and massive volume of text, it builds an unforgettable prison world and allows players to truly feel the heavy cost required before the arrival of “the dawn.”