Cronos: The New Dawn Sees Positive PC Reception, Praised for Dead Space Vibe
The new survival-horror game, Cronos: The New Dawn, has officially launched today across PC and consoles, and PC players on Steam are already sharing their initial impressions.
At the time of writing, Cronos: The New Dawn has accumulated 657 user reviews on Steam, with a strong 84% of them being positive. Many players are quickly drawing comparisons to the classic sci-fi horror game Dead Space, praising Cronos for its thick atmosphere and unique post-apocalyptic Krakow setting.
However, while the game is being warmly received, some players note that it might not quite stand toe-to-toe with the likes of Dead Space or the more recent Resident Evil titles in terms of gameplay depth and variety. The game's reliance on Unreal Engine 5 had also sparked pre-release discussions about its potential performance. On this front, user feedback is somewhat divided: some are pleasantly surprised by the stable framerate of the visually appealing UE5 action, while others report occasional stutters and frame drops, particularly during level loading.
Diving deeper into player reviews, many found the game to be a significant step forward for the studio (which player comments associate with Bloober Team, known for titles like Layers of Fear and The Medium), appreciating its engaging narrative told through collectibles, atmospheric locations, and an intriguing soundtrack. The graphics are generally lauded, even on moderate settings. The combat system, which includes a gradual introduction of various enemies and classic weaponry like pistols and shotguns, has been well-received. The absence of dodge and parry mechanics is also seen by some as a move that brings the game closer to traditional survival horror experiences.
Despite the praise, certain criticisms emerged. Some players felt the melee combat was ineffective due to low damage, differing from Dead Space where melee often served a distinct purpose for finishing off enemies and resource gathering. Resource management was also highlighted as unbalanced, partly due to the lack of difficulty options, sometimes leading to stretches of empty supply crates. Weapon feedback was another point of contention, with players noting that enemy reactions to limb shots weren't as impactful or strategic as in Dead Space, contributing to resource issues. Visually, while the art direction is good, some reviews mention the game's locations can feel repetitive and the overall experience leans heavily into being a "corridor shooter." Performance issues, specifically random freezes lasting 20-30 seconds, were also reported by multiple players, regardless of graphics settings. Lastly, some found the difficulty unbalanced in certain areas, particularly against swarms of tough enemies, leading to frustrating encounters.
Cronos: The New Dawn is available on PC (via Steam and Epic Games Store), PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch 2. The game also includes Russian subtitles.
Overall, Cronos: The New Dawn appears to be a promising entry in the survival-horror genre, offering a compelling and atmospheric experience that fans of classic horror, especially those who enjoyed Dead Space, might find appealing. While it has its rough edges in performance and gameplay depth according to some early reviews, its strong atmosphere and engaging story seem to be resonating with many players, positioning it as a noteworthy title for horror enthusiasts looking for their next chilling adventure.
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