Cronos: The New Dawnwill be the next big project from Bloober Team, the Polish studio that most recently made waves with its surprisingly greatSilent Hill 2remake.Bloober had been emulating theSilent Hillseries, its second entry in particular, for much of its existence, honing in on similar themes and aesthetics, so it was arguably the perfect pick for the remake. But now that this facet of Bloober’s destiny has been fulfilled, it appears to be moving on to another famed horror franchise:Dead Space.
That may not be completely fair to say—Cronos: The New Dawnis doing a lot to set itself apart fromDead Space—but its sci-fi premise and survival horror gameplay make Visceral Games' classic space-faring franchise an easy comparison. InCronos, players will be tasked with exploring a post-apocalyptic Earth teeming with bizarre humanoid monsters (which are certainly reminiscent ofDead Space’s Necromorphs). Delving into mysterious time rifts will allow players to visit Poland in the 1980s, and this enigmatic time-travel mechanism appears to form the backbone of the game’s plot.
The dual-reality premise soundsoddly similar toThe Medium, another horror game from Bloober Team.
Gaming audiences aren’t the only onescomparingCronostoDead Space. In an interview withMP1st,Cronos' Game Director Wojciech Piejko directly cited bothDead SpaceandResident Evil—presumably the post-RE4entries—as having combat frameworks thatCronoswill be “leaning towards.” Unfortunately, Piejko didn’t go into much more detail than that, but he did suggest thatCronoswill take inspiration fromDead Space’s limb-cutting mechanic, as well asAlan Wake’s light-based combat:
I can’t reveal much right now, but in Dead Space you need to cut off Necromorphs' limbs, in Alan Wake you need to use a flashlight on enemies, and in Cronos you will need to… wait to see it.
This statement from Piejko is intentionally vague and suggestive, so it’s not clear how literal he is being with these comparisons. It’s important to note that these comments are part of a larger conversation regarding the role of combat in survival horror, and the balance thatCronosis aiming to strike between gameplay, atmosphere, and narrative. So, whileCronoscould have a literal translation or more directevolution ofDead Space’s limb-cutting mechanic, it seems likely that Piejko is speaking more broadly here, implying that the game is trying to capture a similarly iconic, unique combat mechanic that ratchets up a sense of fear.
Gaming audiences are no doubt anxious to see howCronos: The New Dawnturns out. While it has always had supporters, Bloober Team has been on the receiving end of a lot of flak over the years due to its mishandling of certain subjects and what some perceive to be barebones game design. ButSilent Hill2is viewed as something of a turning point for the studio, even by Bloober’s CEO. This is good, but it also means that expectations forCronosare much higher. And since it’s an original IP, it will also be expected to be more unique and innovative than theSilent Hill 2remake.
Bloober won’t be able to build its legacy off “being likeDead Space,” just like it couldn’t stake its flag on “being likeSilent Hill,” but taking inspiration from one of the best science-fiction survival horror games of all time seems like a fairly reasonable call. After all,Dead Spaceitself was heavily inspired byResident Evil 4, and few could argue that it feels overly derivative of Capcom’s 2005 masterpiece. Hopefully, the same relationship will apply toCronosandDead Space.
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.
