Bloober Team has taken note of the harsh tweets and the skeptical videos predicting disappointment; they haven't dismissed the prevailing pessimism. The Polish studio, deeply immersed in horror, even acknowledges past missteps, admitting to having made 'shitty' games. Now, they aim to demonstrate that the Silent Hill 2 Remake was not a fluke, but rather a stepping stone to greater things. In an interview less than 24 hours after the unveiling of their latest horror game, Cronos: The New Dawn, during the recent Xbox Partner Preview, and just two weeks after the Silent Hill 2 Remake received widespread acclaim, I discovered that the studio's next venture is designed to solidify a new narrative: the Bloober Team redemption arc.
Director/designer Wojciech Piejko emphasized that they do not wish to replicate the Silent Hill 2 experience. Cronos: The New Dawn, which began development shortly after The Medium's release in 2021, is intended to showcase their ability to create something unique. Although developed concurrently with the Silent Hill 2 Remake, Cronos is crafted by a different team within Bloober, aiming to offer a distinct experience akin to 'different pizzas with different toppings.' The game revolves around The Traveler, who navigates through time, rescuing VIPs from past eras to alter the future. Inspired by Netflix's Dark, Cronos promises a complex, time-travel narrative.
Despite the pandemic setting, Cronos is not a commentary on COVID-19. The team initially hesitated to include the pandemic plot, fearing it might evoke painful memories. However, they retained it as the story proved too compelling to abandon. As Bloober's first original survival-horror IP, Cronos marks a significant evolution from previous titles like Layers of Fear and Observer. The success of the Silent Hill 2 Remake provided a technological foundation, enabling the shift from first-person to third-person perspectives and introducing ranged combat.
The studio hopes Cronos will serve as the 'second punch' in a two-hit combo, cementing their reputation. The team remains mindful of the skepticism surrounding the Silent Hill 2 Remake, but they emerged resilient. Piejko praised the remake team for achieving the 'impossible,' despite intense internet criticism. Layers of Fear is seen as the studio's rebirth, marking a shift from poorly received games to focused horror titles. Silent Hill 2 Remake is considered the beginning of 'Bloober Team 3.0,' and Cronos aims to further this evolution.
The reveal of Cronos brought a sense of relief, with positive feedback indicating a shift in perception. The directors are committed to the horror genre, aiming to find their niche and evolve organically. Cronos: The New Dawn is set to release on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S in 2025.
Source link: https://www.gamespot.com
