After experiencing Bloober Team`s Silent Hill 2 remake, it became clear to me that this often-criticized developer was capable of crafting something truly special, setting the stage for a shift in perception. Now, having spent a few hours with their upcoming sci-fi horror title, Cronos: The New Dawn, any lingering doubts about the studio`s ambition and execution have all but vanished. Cronos has made a significant impression during my two-hour play session, and while a comprehensive verdict awaits the full game later this year, it`s evident the team has unearthed a potent innovation in its combat design.
During a hands-off presentation of Cronos back in June, I noted that its unique “merge system” for enemy encounters felt like a reverse Dead Space. Instead of the iconic directive to “cut off their limbs,” Cronos presents a desperate counter-plea: “Don`t let them merge!” Enemies possess the grim ability to absorb their defeated comrades, transforming into towering, grotesque hybrids that combine the traits of multiple classes, making them far more formidable.
Imagine, for instance, a creature with bladed appendages merging with another that spews toxic bile; the result is a truly horrific third entity, embodying the worst aspects of both. Sometimes, the threat is immediate, with inert husks scattered across the battlefield, compelling you to preemptively incinerate these potential upgrades with your flamethrower – a tactic occasionally feasible if a fuel recharger is nearby.
The true intensity of combat arises from not just how you dispatch enemies, but also precisely where they fall. A concentrated burst from your flamethrower, aimed at the ground in a small radius, can permanently burn away fallen bodies, preventing them from merging with active foes. This dynamic kept me constantly strategizing about enemy placement upon defeat, often leading me to deliberately evade, rather than immediately kill, the game’s “orphans.”
Flamethrower fuel was exceedingly scarce in the demo, making it most efficient to cluster several defeated enemies and then ignite them in a cathartic, sci-fi funeral pyre. However, achieving this was rarely straightforward. Inevitably, I often had to kill an enemy regardless of its death location, only to watch that same fallen monster re-enter the fray by merging with others still relentlessly pursuing me.
This ingenious mechanic truly elevates Cronos` combat system, lending it an exceptional level of tension. Much like my experience in the Silent Hill 2 remake, where I’d emerge from a fight feeling my breathing normalize and tension release from my shoulders, Cronos evoked similar sensations. Initially, I prided myself on preventing all mergers. Yet, as encounters grew more intricate, some merging became an unfortunate inevitability. I simply couldn`t be everywhere at once, nor did I have sufficient fuel to incinerate every corpse. Consequently, I faced numerous merged, ambulatory nightmares, which consistently delivered the healthy dose of stress and anxiety expected from a horror title.
Beyond flamethrower fuel, ammunition for the main weapon was also a critical concern, especially with a firearm that required charging for its most potent shots. I could rapidly unleash weaker rounds, consuming more ammo, or attempt precise, powerful single shots that were often difficult to land while enemies relentlessly charged. This, combined with the merging threat, transformed every combat encounter into a series of urgent, moment-to-moment decisions. Targeting a specific boss’s weak points was already a challenge, and with low supplies, defeating the first boss – which I presume it was, given the demo`s starting point – required four or five attempts. I anticipate future bosses will be equally unforgiving.
With its gunplay and exploration design clearly drawing inspiration from the horror genre`s rich history, I now feel confident about Cronos` core gameplay as its launch approaches. Upgrading my suit and weapons offered hard-earned and satisfying improvements. I was frequently rewarded for straying from the main path, such as discovering a side quest involving rescuing numerous cats throughout the story. Moreover, I particularly enjoyed the melancholic yet comforting atmosphere of the safe rooms, each complete with its own theme song, reminiscent of Capcom`s finest survival horror titles.
Despite these positive impressions, there`s still much to uncover about how the entire experience coalesces. Bloober Team estimates a typical playthrough will last around 16 hours, extending further for those who seek to explore every secret. It`s worth noting that Cronos is being developed by a different internal team at Bloober than the one responsible for the Silent Hill 2 remake. While the Silent Hill 2 remake benefited from Team Silent`s original blueprint, Cronos offers Bloober Team a chance to showcase its independent horror vision. For now, it certainly appears the studio has succeeded in crafting compelling combat and introducing an original twist to the horror genre.