Can Josh Survive in Until Dawn? A Deep Dive into His Fate
The short answer is yes, Josh can survive in Until Dawn, but not in the conventional sense. You can’t save him from the Wendigo transformation if you find Hannah’s journal in the mines. This act of recognition triggers a brief moment of clarity within the Wendigo Hannah, leading her to spare Josh rather than kill him. This outcome, while not a traditional survival, is the closest you get to “saving” him. So, let’s explore the intricacies of Josh’s character and the various ways his story can unfold, ensuring you understand how to navigate the butterfly effect to achieve this specific, poignant conclusion.
Understanding Josh Washington: Tragedy and Transformation
Josh Washington is, without a doubt, one of the most complex and tragic characters in Until Dawn. Initially presented as the somewhat goofy, if not slightly obnoxious, friend, his actions are later revealed to stem from deep-seated trauma following the disappearance of his sisters, Hannah and Beth. This revelation casts his earlier behavior in a new light, forcing players to consider the motivations behind his “pranks” and schemes.
The core dilemma surrounding Josh is not about preventing his death, but about understanding his descent into madness and, ultimately, his transformation. The game cleverly manipulates player expectations, presenting choices that seem crucial for his survival, only to ultimately lead him down a specific path.
The Key to Josh’s “Survival”: Finding Hannah’s Journal
The single most important factor influencing Josh’s fate is the discovery of Hannah’s journal in the mines during the game. This journal provides critical insight into Hannah’s final moments and her desperate struggle for survival, eventually leading to her becoming a Wendigo.
Finding all clues tied to Hannah’s demise is paramount. If Sam discovers Hannah’s journal and reads it, a different scene will play out when the Wendigo Hannah finally finds Josh at the end of the game. This scene is crucial for Josh’s survival, because finding the journal, Sam gives the journal to Josh to read and a fleeting moment of recognition and grief is triggered in Wendigo Hannah upon seeing Josh.
The Wendigo Transformation: An Inevitable Fate?
Regardless of your choices throughout the game, Josh’s encounter with Hannah in Wendigo form is inevitable. If Sam doesn’t find Hannah’s journal, Hannah will kill Josh in the mines, ripping his head in two. However, the discovery of the journal offers a different, albeit still grim, outcome. After Josh reads the journal, there is a moment of recognition. Hannah will still grab Josh, but instead of killing him, she will transform him into a Wendigo by giving Josh the head of a dead person to eat. This isn’t survival in the traditional sense, but it’s the closest the player can get to “saving” Josh. This ensures that a portion of the original Josh is still alive.
Why Finding Clues Matters
While finding all the clues related to Hannah and Beth won’t prevent Josh from ultimately changing, it does add layers of depth to the story and underscores the impact of grief and loss on the characters. Furthermore, recognizing the clues allows the player to feel a sense of accomplishment, showing that the search was not in vain.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Saving Josh in Until Dawn
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about Josh and his potential fates in Until Dawn:
1. Is there a way to completely prevent Josh from becoming a Wendigo?
No, unfortunately not. Josh’s transformation into a Wendigo is a scripted event if you follow the key steps outlined in the next section. This is the closest you can get to “saving” him.
2. Does saving other characters affect Josh’s fate?
Indirectly, yes. Focusing on keeping other characters alive allows you to fully explore the environment and discover the necessary clues related to Hannah’s journal.
3. What happens if Chris kills Ashley instead of Josh?
If Chris chooses to shoot Ashley during the Psycho’s “test,” the game still registers it as if he chose to save Josh. But there is a change to dialog later on. This will impact their relationship and affect dialogue in later scenes.
4. Can Chris save both Ashley and Josh during the saw blade scene?
No, that scene is designed to force a choice. Regardless of who Chris chooses, Josh’s role is predetermined, because either Chris or Ashley will face severe consequences if Chris doesn’t make a choice.
5. Is Matt the hardest character to keep alive?
Many players find Matt difficult to save due to a series of seemingly minor choices that have significant consequences later in the game. A single mistake can cause his death.
6. What is the significance of choosing to disagree with Emily about going to the fire tower?
Disagreeing with Emily can affect the overall dynamic between the characters and can lead to different outcomes in later chapters.
7. What is the most brutal death in Until Dawn?
Many consider Matt’s death, involving a meat hook, to be among the most brutal due to its graphic nature.
8. Can you beat Until Dawn without anyone dying?
Yes, it is possible to save all eight characters. But a wrong step or move can cause them to die.
9. How many characters can survive in Until Dawn?
Anywhere from zero to eight characters can survive, depending on the player’s choices and quick-time event successes.
10. Is Hannah the strongest Wendigo?
Hannah is considered the most powerful Wendigo, presumably due to her being possessed by the spirit of the Makkapitew.
11. What happens if Mike shoots Emily?
Shooting Emily dead unlocks the “Exorcism of Emily” trophy. However, this can also affect the group’s overall dynamic and ability to trust one another.
12. How old is Josh in Until Dawn?
Josh is the oldest member of the group, at 20 years old.
13. Who is the black character in Until Dawn?
Matthew “Matt” Taylor is the African-American character, portrayed by actor Jordan Fisher.
14. Why does Josh become the Psycho?
Josh’s actions as the Psycho stem from his grief and desire for revenge following the prank on his sisters, which he believes led to their disappearance.
15. What happens if Chris hits Josh during the encounter in the lodge?
Hitting Josh leads to Mike being upset and affects their relationship. This will influence Chris’s dialogue later and impacts how Mike perceives him in moments of crisis.
Moral of the Story: The Butterfly Effect is Real
Until Dawn brilliantly illustrates the butterfly effect, demonstrating how seemingly small decisions can have profound and unforeseen consequences. While you cannot prevent Josh’s ultimate transformation, you can influence the circumstances surrounding it, providing a slightly more nuanced and tragic end for his character. By prioritizing clue collection and understanding the motivations of each character, you can navigate the complex web of choices and witness the full spectrum of possible outcomes.
Understanding the game’s mechanics and narrative threads will allow you to experience Until Dawn in a more complete and meaningful way. While “saving” Josh is not possible in the traditional sense, finding Hannah’s journal in the mines will allow Josh to survive with recognition.
For more insights into the design and impact of video games on learning and society, explore the valuable resources available at the Games Learning Society website: GamesLearningSociety.org.