Coming to Nintendo Switch 2 / Nintendo Switch
Back to the Dawn
BTTD Express Vol.4: More Characters & Gameplay Details
From quirky staff to secret prison facilities!
One of Clouded Leopard Entertainment’s standout titles for 2026, the suspense-driven prison break RPG Back to the Dawn, launches on Thursday, March 5.
And now for BTTD Express: a four-part series delivering a sneak peek at the game’s unique characters, its highly flexible gameplay system, and the latest updates. In this final installment, we focus on the prison staff, each with their own quirks and complexities, as well as key facilities within the prison that conceal hints leading to various escape routes.

■登場キャラクター
●Kevin the Koala (VA: Kei Kinjo)
A short koala.
Apparently deep in debt from borrowing money around the prison just to fund his fun, he shamelessly asks you for a loan the moment you point out his bad habits.

●Lin the Pangolin
A pangolin consumed by paranoia.
He accused you—without any proof—of plotting to steal his scales. When you hear him out, you learn that due to a rumor about a particular scale, someone once nearly cut off his tail in prison.

●Walter the Skunk
A skunk with a powerful scent.
Before prison, he was a high school chemistry teacher and holds a Ph.D. in pharmaceutical science from a prestigious university. He now appears to be secretly developing a new drug using his own secretions in order to “repay” a debt.

● Bam the Grey Cat (VA: Taihi Kimura)
A mysterious grey cat who calls himself a paranormal investigator.
According to him, cultists in the prison are attempting to summon creatures from another world—and he’s here to investigate.

●Teddy the Meerkat
A talkative meerkat.
He spent two years in a psychiatric facility for mania and claims to be fully cured, but… it certainly seems like something’s still a bit off.

●Robert the Ring-Tailed Lemur
A lemur obsessed with video games.
He makes games as a hobby. They haven’t sold at all, but he refuses to give up and continues developing new titles on the computer in the main building.

●Eddie the Opossum (VA: Aiban Shibata)
An opossum who botched a burglary and ended up in serious trouble.
Even behind bars, a one-sided love haunts him like a nightmare. If he doesn’t quietly marry the woman, he may have to kiss his young son goodbye.

●Perry the Platypus (VA: Junya Nakamura)
A friendly platypus.
He claims he made a fortune through an investment project called “Treasure Island” and eagerly invites you to co-invest. From the way he describes it, the project sounds like the key to immense wealth.

●Gray the Tree Frog
A tree frog with red eyes and green skin.
The prison’s only amphibian, he stands out. When you try to approach him, he violently rejects you—but it turns out his body carries potent toxins, and he’s trying to avoid “accidentally” harming anyone.

●Beth the Poodle (VA: Haruka Sato)
One of the rare female figures in the prison.
She is the sole doctor in the prison infirmary, overseeing the health of all inmates. However, she clocks out promptly at 5:30 PM every day, so don’t miss visiting hours.

●Clark the Rooster (VA: Kazuki Kyan)
The warden of Boulderton Prison.
Even Bruce—who acts like a tyrant in front of inmates—has no choice but to bow before him. Perhaps it’s not just Clark’s authority as warden, but the occasional vicious glint beneath his gentle smile.

●Bruce the Mastiff (VA: Kyohei Akiba)
Captain of the prison guards at Boulderton Prison.
He has no mercy for the “assholes” thrown behind bars. He doesn’t hesitate to exploit his authority, bribing inmates and making them work for him by any means necessary.

●Billy the Bull Terrier (VA: Tetsuya Tashiro)
Deputy captain of the prison guards.
Unlike Bruce, he’s more approachable and often initiates conversation with inmates. Using his role in distributing daily supplies, he sells hard-to-obtain items to prisoners.

●Anderson the Collie (VA: Rikumi Moriwaki)
The chaplain who runs the prison chapel.
Always careful with his words, he embodies the very image of a priest—if you picture one, it’s unlikely you’d imagine anyone but Father Anderson.

●Straw the Pig
The eldest of the three pig chef brothers.
As head of the cafeteria and kitchen, he refuses to tolerate any criticism of his cooking. When he’s watching, it’s best to leave not a single crumb behind.

●Sticks the Pig
The middle brother among the chef trio.
Important decisions are left to Straw, and minor matters to Bricks—so he’s content to stand there like a log.

●Bricks the Pig
The youngest of the three chef brothers.
The brothers look similar, but the easiest way to tell them apart is this: Bricks is the one who always looks the busiest.

■Game System
【Unconventional Escape Routes】
The laundry room, infirmary, sewers, parking lot—pieces of your escape are hidden throughout the prison.
Discover each location’s secrets and use them wisely.
Imagination is your most powerful weapon in the pursuit of freedom.
▼Infirmary
A beautiful doctor, soft beds, and hidden “treasures” in the pharmacy.
The most comfortable place in prison, especially when injured or ill.
Just remember—the doctor leaves at 5:30 PM sharp.


▼Chapel
A quiet sanctuary for those who wish to repent their sins.
Confess and banish nightmares.
Receive a “Blessing” to increase the chance of achieving a “Great Success” in challenge actions for 24 hours.


▼Library
Located in the general building, in Black Claw Gang territory.
Choose a book from genre-based shelves, and if you finish it, you’ll learn a skill.
You can also use the computer to play games or watch movies if you have a movie disc.


▼Barbershop
A secret organization housed in a tightly sealed building at the edge of the yard.
Beyond the door awaits “Ghost,” a former inmate. His main profession was trimming and tattooing—now on hiatus—but he takes on bounty quests and item recycling as a side job.


▼Segregation
A narrow, cold cell surrounded by iron bars.
Here, you can do nothing but eat and sleep.
The poor sleeping conditions negatively affect your Health, and being stuck here leaves you mentally drained.


There are still many key characters tied to the story that we haven’t introduced yet.
Each of the two protagonists features a main story exceeding 20 hours of playtime, along with multiple entirely different escape routes and branching endings. A demo is available on the Nintendo eShop, and save data can be carried over to the full version—so step inside and experience this thrilling prison drama for yourself!
▼Back to the Dawn Nintendo eShop Page
・Nintendo Switch 2
United States:
https://www.nintendo.com/us/store/products/back-to-the-dawn-switch-2
UK & Ireland:
https://www.nintendo.com/en-gb/Games/Nintendo-Switch-2-games/Back-to-the-Dawn-3015380.html
・Nintendo Switch
United States:
https://www.nintendo.com/us/store/products/back-to-the-dawn-switch
UK & Ireland:
https://www.nintendo.com/en-gb/Games/Nintendo-Switch-download-software/Back-to-the-Dawn-3015376.html
■About Back to the Dawn
Back to the Dawn is a prison break thriller RPG developed by Shanghai-based indie studio Metal Head Games that received critical acclaim worldwide, winning numerous game awards. On Steam®, the title boasts a coveted “Very Positive” rating (95% positive).

Building on this success, CLE will bring Back to the Dawn to Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, and PlayStation 5 with enhanced localization across all subtitle languages, as well as the addition of brand-new Japanese and Chinese voice acting. Among the two protagonists, Thomas the Fox will be voiced in Japanese by Shugo Nakamura, known for roles such as Ryota Miyagi in THE FIRST SLAM DUNK. Bob the Panther will be voiced by Yasuhiro Mamiya, whose credits include Jacob Kowalski in the Fantastic Beasts series.
■Back to the Dawn Product Details
| Name | Back to the Dawn | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Genre | Prison Break Thriller RPG | ||
| Platform(s) | Nintendo Switch 2 Nintendo Switch | PlayStation 5 | |
| Release Date | March 5, 2026 (scheduled) | 2026 (scheduled) | |
| MSRP | 【Package Standard Edition】 $34.99 USD / €34.99 EUR 【Digital Standard Edition】 $34.99 USD / €34.99 EUR | ||
| Player(s) | 1 | ||
| Rating | IARC: 16+ | ||
| Languages | Audio | Japanese / Chinese | |
| Subtitles | English / Traditional Chinese / Simplified Chinese / Korean / Japanese | ||
| Developer | Metal Head Games / Spiral Up Games | ||
| Distributor | Clouded Leopard Entertainment Inc. | ||
| Copyright | ©2025 Metal Head Games. ©2025 Spiral Up Games. Licensed to and published by Clouded Leopard Entertainment Inc. | ||
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※All other company and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.
※All information is applicable as of the date of this announcement and subject to change without notice.