Cronos: The New Dawn Review—A New Harbinger Of Horror Has Merged

by

The Bloober Team, fresh from their 2024 achievements, is now unveiling a completely new intellectual property titled “Cronos: The New Dawn“. Known for their work on the Silent Hill 2 Remake, this game promises an authentic survival-horror experience with its eerie ambiance, persistent sense of danger and threat, disturbing creatures, and an inventory that pushes you to make tough decisions about your ammunition.

Cronos: The New Dawn carries a sense of security – something I usually shy away from describing in new games, as it can come off as an insult. However, in this case, it’s more of a praise. Bloober Team has cleverly sprinkled fresh concepts throughout the game, but what stands out is its complete transformation into a compelling survival horror experience with a captivating narrative.

The core enemy mechanism in this game is based on fusion, giving off a vibe as if Cronos skillfully blended elements from classic horror motifs. This clever fusion results in a terrifyingly effective first release that feels like it’s drawn from the most chilling wellsprings of established terror tropes.

Cronos: The New Dawn Review

As an enigmatic Wanderer, you’ve been dispatched on a mission to gather artifacts, unravel mysterious temporal fissures that shed light on the planet’s catastrophic collapse, and delve into the relics of its decayed past in pursuit of the previous Traveler. The cataclysmic event known as ‘The Change’ dealt a devastating blow to the world, leaving behind a horde of increasingly vile creatures that absorb defeated foes, growing stronger in the process – a predicament you now face!

Frankly, the initial hour of Cronos: The New Dawn felt a bit sluggish and uninspiring compared to the chilling opening moments of Silent Hill 2 or the intense elevator chase sequence in Dead Space. But as I continued playing for about 14 hours, the game’s narrative and gameplay grew more captivating, peaking my interest significantly by the end. By the time the credits rolled, I was genuinely craving for more.

The tale sometimes seems puzzlingly broad yet bold for its scale, but it delivers a rewarding conclusion. It might benefit from a replay to fully understand the intricate nuances of the story’s details, which are subtly disclosed via cutscenes, common world-building hints found in tapes hidden across the game’s diverse and decayed environments.

Don’t Fix What Isn’t broken

If you’re familiar with survival-horror games, Cronos will feel quite intuitive. Precision is key, and mastering the game’s charge-up mechanism significantly enhances shot power and conserves ammo. The upgrade system progresses gradually (you won’t be upgrading most of your gear by the end of your first playthrough), and the gameplay rhythm fluctuates between intense combat sequences and exploration phases.

As the game progresses, it becomes increasingly engaging as you gather additional weapons and gadgets. Although I wished for a wider selection of weaponry, the flamethrower and explosive bombs provide a decent substitute. The level designs in Cronos are diverse, ranging from snowy landscapes to decaying residential areas teeming with monsters lurking on every surface. Be prepared for constant spinning as you need to keep your eyes peeled, or else you might fall victim to an unexpected attack by an enemy.

In Cronos, the part that really captivated me is a hospital-themed section halfway through the game; it’s clear where this setting originated. While puzzles aren’t central to Cronos’ design, this area demands multiple keys and essential items for doors and secret places. The suspense was tangible everywhere I went, making my heart race and my palms sweaty as I explored unfamiliar passages and rooms. No amount of relaxation could calm me down.

My favorite part of Cronos is the hospital-like section in the middle of the game, where you need multiple keys and special items. This area has lots of tension that made me really scared because I didn’t know what was coming next.

Cronos is a game filled with jump scares, but its catchy 80s synth soundtrack helps relieve any fear you might feel. Even though you might not want to, exploring your surroundings is essential in this game. Although it’s marketed as challenging, I was able to complete Cronos with fewer than ten deaths, thanks to my familiarity with the genre. Keep an eye out for Energy and Cores, as they offer rewards-there are even collectible cats!

Hope that helps make the description more accessible!

If you’re concerned that the game isn’t tough enough for you, you’ll have access to a higher difficulty level, labeled as ‘Hard Mode’, once you reach the end. Additionally, a ‘New Game+’ option will be available, allowing you to start over with your current character and all of their progress retained.

Room For One More, Please?

To put it bluntly, Cronos’ inventory system is incredibly aggravating. It seems like the trickiest juggling act since Resident Evil 0. If you don’t prioritize upgrading your Core to get more inventory spaces immediately, you’ll struggle. Each ammo compartment doesn’t hold a lot, and maintaining a balanced supply of ammunition, weapons, and health is nearly impossible.

It seems that for the item to be usable, it needs to be in your possession, or more specifically, within your inventory. Dropping items is possible, but it results in their permanent removal from your inventory. So, if you stumble upon a health item out in the open, despite having magical inventory boxes to transfer your gear safely, you still can’t utilize it on the spot? That’s correct!

In many games, essential elements of the story require space in your inventory, leaving little room for maneuverability. For instance, flame canisters in this game occupy precious inventory slots. Since I was trying to conserve resources and ammo, I didn’t get to use the main burning mechanism much. This made me feel like I was being penalized for resource management. However, I believe I might find the game’s challenging mode more suitable, while novice horror gamers may quickly deplete supplies, just as a mouse would a block of cheese. On the other hand, experienced players might find the system too intrusive.

Cronos: The New Dawn Verdict

Personally, I don’t think Cronos: The New Dawn reaches extraordinary heights. But that’s not to say it isn’t good – quite the contrary! It delivers on what it promises, and considering the recent impact of the Silent Hill 2 Remake, I can’t remember a new survival-horror game I’ve found as engaging and immersive in quite some time.

When it’s in full swing, Cronos delivers a constant assault of fears, tension, and top-notch battles. Despite the persistent issue of limited inventory management that may haunt you forever, there’s no arguing against the fact that Cronos: The New Dawn encourages strategic thinking. In conclusion, I highly recommend Cronos: The New Dawn as a fantastic addition to the survival-horror genre. If you’re a fan of this genre or enjoy old-school horror, this game is definitely worth playing – it’s our recommendation.

4 – Great

As a dedicated gamer, when it comes to discussing all things gaming-related, my preferred hangout is the TopMob forum. Not only that, but I’d strongly suggest you explore some of their latest reviews as well. Here are a few titles that have caught my eye: Killing Floor 3, Wuchang: Fallen Feathers, Madden 26, and Dead Take. Happy gaming!

Read More

2025-09-03 17:36