Clive Barker's Hellraiser: Revival Stuns Gamescom 2025 with Unflinching Horror

Clive Barker's Hellraiser: Revival Stuns Gamescom 2025 with Unflinching Horror

Gamescom 2025 offered journalists their first chance to dive into Clive Barker’s Hellraiser: Revival, and the initial impressions suggest an experience truly not for the faint of heart. This new installment in Clive Barker’s iconic universe stands out even among horror titles, terrifying players not just with its atmosphere but with relentlessly brutal scenes. The Hellraiser franchise has always been steeped in themes of pain, fear, and desire, and this game faithfully continues that tradition, elevating sexuality to a level rarely seen in the industry.

A word of caution for those with vivid imaginations or a low tolerance for descriptions of brutality, torture, and other disturbing elements: this article delves into such content extensively.

A Shocking Debut

The demo began with an immediate shock. Within the first five minutes, players were exposed to nudity, BDSM scenarios, dismemberment, and acts of torment that typically remain off-screen. Shortly after, the protagonist finds himself chained to a chair, completely naked, with the camera deliberately focusing on specific body details. According to game designer Srdjan Nedic, the team at Mad Head Games intentionally pushes the limits of what’s acceptable, working closely with rating agencies like ESRB and PEGI. Every scene is meticulously crafted to preserve the spirit of the original material without crossing a line that would prevent the game from being released.

A Canon Story of Torment

Players take control of Aiden, the hero of a new, canonical story. He and his girlfriend, Sunny, accidentally activate a mysterious artifact known as the Genesis Configuration, drawing the attention of Pinhead and his followers. To uncover the device's secrets, Aiden must endure a gauntlet of suffering: tearing hooks from his own body, cutting open his stitched-up torso, and removing nails from his palms. Sunny falls under the cult’s control, offering her body, but Aiden sees her in visions and struggles to discern if she can be saved, or if it's merely a figment of his tormented imagination.

A Labyrinth of Suffering

The preview showcased a wide spectrum of horrors, including P.T.-esque corridors, intricate puzzles, relentless chases, sudden jump scares, and an oppressive sense of psychological dread. The labyrinth Aiden navigates transforms into a gruesome gallery of suffering, meticulously crafted by the cultists. Each new room presents increasingly gruesome spectacles. Andrew Highton of Insider Gaming described his journey: “My journey through the Labyrinth became a true test of endurance, which is symbolic – I lost count of how many guts I had to see. The cultists inhabiting this place are obsessed with art and suffering. You move from room to room, and each time it turns into a competition to escalate the cruelty.”

One of the most impactful moments featured an encounter with a “doctor” dismembering a woman on a vertical surgical table. Her lower jaw was missing, her tongue twitched grotesquely, yet she remained alive. Players had to sneak past, witnessing her arms being severed before their eyes. Pinhead's cinematic appearances also drew particular attention, praised for their high production value and dramatic flair. The iconic antagonist is once again portrayed by Doug Bradley, lending an authentic touch to the project.

Resident Evil Meets Layers of Fear with a Twisted Edge

The gameplay in Clive Barker’s Hellraiser: Revival reminded journalists of Resident Evil 7: Biohazard and Resident Evil Village. It’s a full-fledged first-person horror game with key item searches, puzzles, and combat. Unlike games like Outlast, the protagonist can fight back against enemies and acquires weapons relatively early on, though each item has durability and can break. Hellraiser actively plays with perception, employing techniques reminiscent of P.T. and Layers of Fear: distorting space, altering room logic, and making players doubt the reality of their surroundings. When the tension peaks, a chase begins – one scene forces players to flee from a cenobite who teleports directly in front of them. A wrong choice of route leads to instant death, creating a genuine sense of desperate survival.

Combat and Choices

Roughly halfway through the demo, combat elements are gradually introduced. Initially, players engage in melee attacks with knives and bats, later acquiring firearms. Ammunition is scarce, forcing players to choose between stealth and direct confrontation. The combat itself, according to journalists, felt “heavy” and impactful. The developers hinted that the Genesis Configuration might unlock supernatural abilities for Aiden, though these were not available in the demo. Closer to the demo’s end, Aiden found a pistol. Enemies demonstrated intelligent behavior, taking cover and attempting flanking maneuvers. However, neither weapons nor tactics could save players from encountering the “Clicking Teeth” – a monster with a clanking jaw that evokes comparisons to Nemesis while simultaneously mesmerizing with its sound.

High Expectations for Unflinching Horror

Clive Barker’s Hellraiser: Revival emerged as one of the most unexpected revelations of Gamescom for many attendees. The game deftly balances psychological horror, shock content, and classic horror mechanics. The developers promise that this is just the beginning, with even more scenes inspired by the goriest horror films awaiting players. Andrew Highton commented, “Hellraiser was the most unexpected project of gamescom 2025 for me. I went into it without great expectations, but now the game has instantly made it onto my most anticipated list.”

Overall, the project left a strong impression. It remains faithful to its source material, making it feel truly unique. While the gaming industry has grown accustomed to gore, explicit sexual themes often remain taboo – but with Hellraiser, they are integral. Sammy Barker from Push Square noted, “It will be interesting to see how close the final version gets to that line.” Journalists believe that if the final version maintains this level of audacity and attention to detail, Clive Barker’s Hellraiser: Revival could become one of the most distinctive horror games in recent memory. It’s not just a story of fear and pain; it’s a game that challenges the boundaries of the genre and the very notions of what can be portrayed in video games.

Players will be able to test their nerves in Clive Barker’s Hellraiser: Revival on PC (Steam), Xbox Series, and PlayStation 5. A release date for the project has not yet been announced.