Cronos: The New Dawn HANDS-ON PREVIEW – Bloober Wants to Conquer the World Again

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The tale of Bloober Team’s career path could be just as fascinating as any blockbuster movie script. Following the debut of Layers of Fear in 2016, this Polish game studio has navigated a thrilling ride filled with triumphs and setbacks, frequently introducing games that garnered varied responses from both gamers and reviewers alike.

However, everything shifted dramatically in 2024 when Silent Hill 2 Remake was launched. Bloober truly delivered-resurrecting one of the most renowned survival horror games with a contemporary yet reverential style. The remake’s triumph elevated their status, positioning them as genuine masters of psychological terror. Consequently, anticipation for their subsequent original IP, Cronos: The New Dawn, soared to unprecedented heights.

Due to an invitation extended by Bloober Team, I was privileged to experience playing the initial 30 minutes of the game during a live demonstration at Gamescom 2025. My reaction? Simply put, I was utterly captivated!

Cronos: The New Dawn Preview – Meet the Traveler

In the immersive world of Cronos: The New Dawn, I embody The Traveler – a unique soldier sent by the enigmatic Collective into a grim future. My objective? Journey back to 1980s Poland and save specific individuals from a looming disaster. It’s an otherworldly mission that takes me through time itself!

In the beginning, the creators deliberately keep things mysterious. Who are the Travelers? What’s the real purpose of the Collective? And what triggered the event? Instead of providing immediate answers, the game poses these questions and promises to reveal them progressively as the story unfolds.

In my gaming experience, I stumbled upon numerous items that not only deepened the game’s universe but also elevated the captivating narrative Bloober is renowned for. Interestingly, the combative aspects echoed those of Dead Space – in a most delightful manner.

As an avid adventurer, I embark on my journey armed with a versatile pistol that offers two distinct shooting options. The first is a regular shot, while the second is a powerful, charge-up round capable of dishing out massive damage and halting incoming enemy charges.

In short supply is ammunition, making close-quarters fighting indispensable. Punching enemies provides an opportunity to clear space and make hasty escapes – with their swift response times, it’s crucial. A notable aspect of gameplay is “fusion”; if an active enemy stumbles upon the remains of two defeated foes, it can combine with them, increasing its speed and strength. To prevent this, the Traveler has the ability to set fire to fallen bodies on the ground with a flamethrower-like device.

Intuition and Isolation

I’m not typically into survival horror games, but Cronos: The New Dawn has made me change my mind, mainly due to its clever level design. Navigating through the game for exploration, solving environmental puzzles, and making progress are all straightforward and free of frustration. Even those new to the genre can easily find their way around with a bit of focus.

The design is intuitive yet carries an unsettling sense of solitude. Mostly cool colors create the ambiance, intensifying the sensation of emptiness. The implication is clear: the world has come to an end and all that’s left is disorder. Accentuating the visuals are spooky sound effects alongside a retro-futuristic soundtrack, which harmoniously merges synthetic sounds with real instruments.

The design feels instinctive yet gives off a haunting vibe of loneliness. Mainly cold hues fill the sceneries, accentuating the sensation of desolation. It seems like the world has perished, leaving nothing but mayhem behind. Adding to the visuals are eerie audio effects as well as a retro-futuristic soundtrack that combines synthetic melodies with authentic instruments.

Can Bloober Do It Again?

After experiencing the demo, I found myself unable to tear myself away from Cronos: The New Dawn. The captivating ambiance, the intriguing mysteries left unresolved, and the intense, tactical combat had me yearning for more. Based on my playthrough, it seems that Bloober Team is poised for another significant success with this game.

Fortunately, we don’t have much time left until we can find out whether Cronos: The New Dawn will be a fantastic game or not. The launch date for this game is set for September 5th, where it will be available on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series.

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2025-08-26 21:48