Cronos: The New Dawnis one of the most anticipated horror games at the moment. After managing the seemingly impossible by doing aSilent Hill 2remake justice, developer Bloober Team is following up its success with an original project.Cronos: The New Dawnteases a story of horror-filled time travel, and based on early footage, it wears its influences on its sleeve.
The tiny glimpses of gameplay footage offered in the announcement trailer showcase a terrifying and eerie cosmic atmosphere reminiscent of some of the industry’s most popular third-person survival horror titles. In a recent interview with MP1st, game director Wojciech Piejk confirmed thatthe combat forCronos: The New Dawntakes a page out ofDead Space and Resident Evil’s books.
Cronos: The New Dawn Takes Its Combat Mechanics From Some of Gaming’s Best Horror Titles
Confirmed Features and Mechanics For Cronos: The New Dawn
While Piejk made sure to keep many of the details vague, there was clear insight into how muchConos: The New Dawnhas been inspired by some of the industry’s best horror games.The mysteries surroundingCronos: The New Dawnand its time-bending story make it that much more appealing, but Bloober Team’s planned gameplay features are also a natural stepping stone fromSilent Hill 2. When footage ofSilent HIll 2’s remake was first revealed, many were surprised to see its use of an over-the-shoulder third-person camera, which caused quite a stir. Many long-time fans of the originalSilent Hill 2were skeptical, with some claiming the remake looked too similar toResident Evil. Thankfully, Bloober Team proved that the difference in camera angle still kept its atmosphere intact.
Now thatCronos: The New Dawnis reusing this camera angle, it’s clear that Bloober Team is using what it learned fromtheSilent Hill 2remaketo inform the former’s mechanics, alongside other horror heavy-hitters. Pjiek confirmed thatResident EvilandDead Spaceare big combat inspirations, but he also wanted to make it clear that Bloober Team are “still storytellers at heart, so please also expect a strong emphasis on story and atmospheric exploration.”
Bloober Team is also working on a secretive title codenamed “Project M” for the Nintendo Switch.
Bloober Team Has Proven That It Has a Serious Talent For Horror
Silent Hill 2was a huge success story this year, butBloober Team is no stranger to horror. While its previous projects, likeLayers of FearandThe Blair Witch, were effective horror stories,Silent Hill 2’s remake demonstrates that the developer has the chops to potentially be one of the biggest studios in the genre.
This is one of the mostpromising aspects ofCronos: The New Dawn. Although following up such a well-received remake with an original project puts a lot of pressure on Bloober Team, the studio now has a proven track record that its devs can nail the style of gameplay being targeted. Taking the mechanics of theSilent Hill 2remake and giving it a sprinkling ofResident EvilandDead Spaceis likely to be a set of perfect ingredients to combine. However, one of the most fascinating statements from Pjiek was his mention ofAlan Wake 2’s flashlight mechanics.Resident EvilandDead Spacehave been part of theCronos: The New Dawnconversation since it was announced, but confirmation ofAlan Wake 2-inspired gameplay, even if small, is compelling.
Expect a strong emphasis on story and atmospheric exploration.
Asleaks aboutCronos: The New Dawndrop potential details, it will be exciting to see what Bloober Team has in store for its next project. A blend of iconic horror titles is always an exciting promise, but Bloober Team has the advantage of already proving its abilities.
Cronos: The New Dawn
WHERE TO PLAY
Set in a grim world where Eastern European brutalism meets retro-futurist technology, Cronos: The New Dawn lets you experience a gripping story that straddles the line between past and future.In the past, you will witness a world in the throes of The Change, a cataclysmic event that forever altered humanity. Meanwhile, in the ravaged wastelands of the future, every moment is a fight for survival against dangerous abominations that will test both your reflexes and your tactical thinking.You are a Traveler acting as an agent for the enigmatic Collective, tasked with scouring the wastelands of the future in search of specific time rifts that will transport you back to 1980s-era Poland.Harvester of SoulsYour mission is to locate key people from the past who perished in the ensuing apocalypse. Using your all-powerful Harvester, you can extract their Essences and have them accompany you into the future.Plan Every MoveIn a desolate world filled with ever-present danger, your survival hinges on your ability to strategize and plan ahead. The enemies you’ll encounter are nightmarish creatures, born from the remnants of humanity – defeating them will require you to make full use of your arsenal. During battle, quick decisions can mean the difference between life and death.
