In recent years, the horror genre has experienced a resurgence, delivering fresh and thrilling narratives through films, TV shows, novels, and notably, video games. Standouts like Alan Wake 2 have captivated audiences with gripping storytelling and chilling atmospheres, setting the bar high for newcomers. One developer that stirred excitement with their recent work is Bloober Team, especially with their acclaimed remake of Silent Hill 2, a nostalgic triumph that gripped both veterans and newcomers alike.

However, anticipation turned to cautious optimism when Bloober Team announced their latest project, Cronos: The New Dawn. Shifting gears from their previous titles, this game dives into a sci-fi horror landscape reminiscent of Dead Space. While the foundation and premise appear compelling, the execution falls short due to various technical issues, an unpolished gameplay loop, and a lackluster narrative.

Unraveling the Mystery in a Distorted World

You begin your journey as The Traveler, a towering figure crash-landed in the ravaged city of New Dawn, a post-apocalyptic Poland. Tasked with navigating time anomalies, you must dive back into the past to gather essences—essentially souls—to upload to The Collective, an enigmatic hive mind.

As you delve deeper, the mission expands when technical breakdowns force you to explore further back in time, revealing the cataclysm’s cause. The horror elements stem from a mysterious infection that has spawned monstrous beings known as Orphans. Their unsettlingly distorted forms are visually striking, but not particularly innovative in the horror monster realm.

A Unique Horror Experience?

One fascinating aspect of the Orphans is their merging ability; if left unburned after being defeated, they reanimate, becoming stronger and more formidable. The exploration of ancient, decaying environments reveals the human impact of the apocalypse through haunting audio logs and journals detailing the infection’s grim effects.

The character roster in Cronos stands out, with their palpable sense of despair enhancing the narrative depth. Interactions with the essences allow players insights into their lives and reveal that the player character is not the first Traveler to tamper with time.

Glimmers of Creativity Drowned in Frustration

However, Cronos is riddled with execution problems. Despite promising mechanics—like the engaging essence harvesting depicted through haunting cutscenes that blend live-action with in-engine footage—the gameplay falters under technical technicalities. The visual fidelity falls short compared to other recent horror titles, compromising immersion.

The climax and final act of the narrative suffer from poor pacing and an unsatisfying resolution, leaving crucial questions unresolved in favor of a rushed confrontation.

Gameplay: A Tedious Cycle of Repetition

The gameplay loop becomes unexpectedly tedious as well. Players encounter repetitive tasks that dull the excitement. The gunplay and melee combat fail to deliver satisfaction, with bullets feeling ineffectual against overly resilient enemies. This lack of impactful combat leaves a sense of helplessness instead of invigorating fear.

Additionally, the game often forces players into frustrating scenarios where escape is impossible, amplifying the tedium rather than instilling fear. Exploration largely involves backtracking, leading to feelings of exhaustion rather than exhilaration.

A Disappointing Disguise of Potential

When Cronos: The New Dawn was announced, many (myself included) hoped for an unforgettable blend of psychological terror and sci-fi innovation. Yet, the end product reveals profound disappointments, largely attributed to clunky mechanics, technical flaws, and pacing problems. While the foundation is solid, the execution lacks the finesse needed to make the game a true standout.

While a New Game Plus feature and multiple endings offer potential replay value, for many players, myself included, the experience might not justify a revisit. Ultimately, Cronos falls flat, unable to compete with the quality and thrill offered by its horror genre contemporaries. For fans of horror gaming, this title may leave you longing for something more attuned to the pulse of the genre.