I have a penchant for horror games, even if my nerves often fray in the process. What I seek is not just a series of jumpscares but a truly terrifying experience that lingers long after the game is over. Enter Cronos: The New Dawn, a survival horror title from Bloober Team, set against the eerie backdrop of the Nowa Huta district in Kraków, where time travel and zombies intertwine in a chilling narrative.
Game Overview
Release Date: September 5, 2025
Price: £49.99 / .99
Developer: Bloober Team
Publisher: Bloober Team SA
Platform Reviewed: RTX 3070, Core AMD Ryzen 5 5600G, 16GB RAM
Multiplayer: No
Steam Deck: Not verified
Link: <a href="https://store.steampowered.com/app/XXXXXX/CronosTheNew_Dawn/”>Steam
As I delved into Cronos, I anticipated encountering grotesque zombies and unsettling medical horrors. However, the horror I yearned for was somewhat elusive. The survival horror genre often falters in its ability to instill true fear, especially when players are armed to the teeth with an arsenal of weapons. Unfortunately, Cronos began on shaky ground.
The game’s zombies, referred to as Orphans, tend to shuffle about or telegraph their movements, diminishing their threat level. The predictability of these encounters often leads to frustration rather than fear. My initial reaction upon seeing an Orphan approach was less about dread and more about resignation.
Set in the aftermath of a devastating zombie outbreak, players navigate the desolate landscape of Nowa Huta, where remnants of civilization are overrun by the undead. The narrative unfolds through time travel, allowing players to revisit critical moments surrounding the outbreak. However, the frequent auto-saves can lead to frustrating scenarios, where players find themselves trapped in a cycle of death and respawn, often with little health to spare.
Resource management is another challenge. While the game emphasizes the importance of conserving items, encounters with Orphans can quickly deplete your supplies. I found myself exhausting all ammunition against a particularly formidable Orphan, only to realize that I had to backtrack to a safe room to restock before attempting the fight again. This cycle of resource scarcity and relentless enemies can be disheartening.
Combat mechanics in Cronos often feel inconsistent, leading to moments of both triumph and frustration. The difficulty of encounters varies widely, making it hard to gauge the best approach to each situation. Similarly, the story unfolds at a sluggish pace, initially echoing themes of lockdowns and isolation reminiscent of the recent pandemic, which may not resonate well with players seeking escapism.
However, as the time travel elements emerge, the narrative begins to take on a more intriguing dimension. While the ending may not be entirely surprising, it does explore thought-provoking concepts that could have been more impactful had they been introduced earlier in the game.
Yet, amidst the challenges, Cronos offers moments of beauty. The stunningly rendered environment of Nowa Huta, marred by decay and chaos, provides a captivating backdrop. The puzzles scattered throughout the game, which involve manipulating time to restore parts of the environment, offer a refreshing change of pace from combat. Utilizing gravity boots to traverse the landscape adds an exhilarating layer to exploration, allowing players to experience the world from new perspectives.
Despite these engaging elements, the overall experience of Cronos falls short of expectations. The highs are overshadowed by frustrating lows, and the horror elements do not deliver the spine-chilling thrills one might hope for. For those willing to embark on this journey, patience is key. Taking breaks when the game becomes overwhelming and finding solace in the small joys—like petting virtual cats—can enhance the experience.
