After experiencing Bloober Team’s impressive work on the Silent Hill 2 remake, I’ve come to trust their unique approach to horror games. Their next project, Cronos: The New Dawn, is already stirring excitement with its striking visuals and eerie atmosphere reminiscent of the intense Dead Space series.
Wojciech Piejko and Jacek Zięba, the co-directors of Cronos, wear their influences proudly. Drawing inspiration from iconic sources like John Carpenter’s The Thing, the enigmatic German series Dark, and Terry Gilliam’s cult classic 12 Monkeys, they are setting the stage for a gripping sci-fi horror experience. The game also nods to the likes of Dead Space and Dark Souls, evident in its terrifying mutated foes, an immersive over-the-shoulder view, and a unique limb-severing system. However, Piejko mentioned that Bloober Team aims to differentiate their dismemberment mechanics from those of Visceral Games.
In a recent developer diary, following the cinematic teaser from last October, Piejko and Zięba offered a sneak peek into the gameplay of Cronos: The New Dawn. They discuss the role of the protagonist, known as the Traveller, who embarks on a journey reminiscent of a deep-sea diver traversing the layers of time. This mission leads into the remnants of human history with the goal of rescuing survivors. The setting is a parallel reality devastated by an event called the Change, which, within the game’s lore, annihilated civilization during the 1980s.
Both directors have a rich history with Bloober Team, having previously contributed to Observer and The Medium. This background provides them with a solid foundation in creating sci-fi and psychological horror narratives. Cronos: The New Dawn represents a fresh venture for Bloober, as they continue to explore new horizons alongside a forthcoming project with Konami.
