Bloober Team Unveils Cronos: The New Dawn
Polish studio Bloober Team, known for its atmospheric horror titles like The Medium, Layers of Fear, and the upcoming Silent Hill 2 remake, is set to deliver its next terrifying experience: Cronos: The New Dawn. Recent hands-on previews from a California event have given journalists a glimpse into a world that is both deeply unsettling and strangely familiar, blending post-apocalyptic dread with what some suggest might be reflections of the developers' Eastern European childhoods.
A World Ravaged by "The Change"
Cronos: The New Dawn is set in a future devastated by a catastrophe known only as "The Change." While specifics are scarce, it began with a pandemic that spiraled out of control due to a widespread refusal to follow quarantine measures. This led to the emergence of "Orphans" – slimy, organic monsters driven by a grotesque hunger. These creatures can devour one another, mutating into larger, more formidable abominations. Players step into the role of "The Traveler," embarking on a perilous journey into the past. Her mission: to save individuals who might possess the key to stopping or reversing this cataclysm. In reality, it’s a solitary descent into hell, where every step could be her last.
Combat Focus: Preventing Mutation
The central gameplay mechanic in Cronos is not just about killing enemies, but about preventing the Orphans from merging. Players can dispatch these creatures, but leaving their corpses unattended is a grave mistake. Other Orphans will consume the remains, transforming into giant, nearly indestructible foes. One journalist deliberately ignored the developers' advice to manage corpses and quickly regretted it, finding himself face-to-face with an unkillable mutant.
"I was in some underground tunnels, and there was a fuel cell dispenser nearby. There were only 2-3 enemies and some explosives I could shoot. I killed one or two, giving them a chance to merge – and the monstrosity that appeared afterward refused to die. It didn’t matter how many rounds I pumped into it from my pistol – it wouldn't fall. I let it merge and ended up running through those tunnels, grabbing fuel, stunning it, and trying to finish it off. Did I succeed? No. Did I die? Yes. Will I let them merge again? Absolutely not. And that's where the beauty of Cronos: The New Dawn's combat system truly shines."
– Joshua Duckworth, Game Rant journalist
This necessity means every body must be incinerated, either immediately after combat or strategically during a fight. This fundamental shift redefines combat, making corpse control as crucial as landing successful hits.
Tactical Engagements and Limited Resources
Players begin with a basic pistol, which can be modified, for instance, with a shotgun module. However, even upgrades aren't a substitute for smart play. There are no dodge mechanics, ammunition is scarce, and enemies quickly grow stronger if allowed to merge. Cronos: The New Dawn demands a tactical approach: prioritizing charged headshots, setting traps, controlling the environment, and conserving flamethrower fuel. Much like Silent Hill 2, the combat often feels intimate and close-quarters, despite the presence of firearms.
"The Traveler is armed with a transforming pistol, reminiscent of Remedy's Service Weapon from Control. Upgrades (like a shotgun module called the 'Hammer') are mechanical devices that can be found and attached. Once installed, these upgrades allow the weapon to freely shift forms to suit the chosen configuration."
– Dale Driver, IGN journalist
The Enigmatic "Traveler"
Intriguingly, "The Traveler" herself is largely a blank slate. Her face is obscured by a helmet, her voice is mechanical, and emotions are absent. Many have compared her to Samus Aran from Metroid. However, developers hint that the protagonist will undergo a significant transformation throughout the game, becoming a different person emotionally and psychologically by the end. What starts as a mission to save humanity evolves into a deeply personal drama.
"We can assure you that the game will have several twists that will completely change your perception of its concept."
– Grzegorz Like, Cronos: The New Dawn screenwriter
"The Cronos plot unfolds gradually, and details about it are sparse. The narrative leans towards hints rather than direct storytelling, which suits a game that already speaks the language of terrifying imagery. I wouldn't even know I was playing as a human if not for snippets of distorted speech filtering through the Traveler's utterly opaque helmet, which tightly envelops her head. Her dry, dispassionate tone and the fact that she's encased in a metallic suit as tough as a military tank make the single vent – a narrow slit, like a clasp unzipped vertically from her mouth – almost an erotic element. The only thing even more mysterious than herself is the enigmatic Collective, her employer, who sent the Traveler here in search of her predecessor: ND-3500."
– Ashley Bardhan, GamesRadar+ journalist
Even if the narrative isn't immediately clear, the gameplay itself promises to keep players engrossed. The combat system demands control, planning, and precision. Puzzles are present but don't overwhelm the experience. Safe rooms, upgrades, collectible notes, inventory management, and resource allocation all adhere to classic survival horror tenets. Yet, thanks to the unique enemy merging system, the distinctive setting, and the critical role of the flamethrower, this familiar framework feels genuinely fresh and innovative.
Players will be able to prevent Orphans from merging in Cronos: The New Dawn on PC (Steam), Xbox Series, and PlayStation 5, with text localization available in Russian. A precise release date for the game has not yet been announced.
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