Bloober Team Faces Skepticism, Aims for Redemption with New Horror Title
Bloober Team, known for its horror-themed games, is facing public skepticism as it seeks to establish its credibility following the positive reception of the Silent Hill 2 Remake. In a recent interview, the studio discussed its latest project, Cronos: The New Dawn, unveiled in the latest Xbox Partner Preview. With a desire to reshape its narrative, the team is committed to demonstrating that its success with Silent Hill 2 was not a one-off achievement.
Director Wojciech Piejko stated, “We don’t want to make a similar game to Silent Hill 2.” Cronos: The New Dawn, which has been in development alongside the Silent Hill 2 Remake, features a unique storyline centered around The Traveler, a character navigating different timelines. The narrative juxtaposes a dystopian future, marred by a pandemic and mutant creatures, with the stark reality of 1980s communist Poland. Inspired by intricate narratives like those in Netflix’s Dark, the game promises a complex time-travel experience.
Despite the pandemic’s impact on development, the team reassured that Cronos is not simply a commentary on COVID-19. Piejko shared that while they initially hesitated to include pandemic elements, they ultimately recognized the story’s potential. This marks a significant shift for Bloober Team as Cronos represents their first entirely original survival-horror intellectual property following years of established titles.
The transition from first-person to third-person gameplay in Cronos has been facilitated by their experience gained from working on Silent Hill 2, enabling the incorporation of advanced mechanics such as ranged combat. The developers emphasize that Cronos diverges significantly from Silent Hill, yet follows the same trajectory of ambition.
In response to the criticism that has surrounded the studio, particularly following the announcement of the Silent Hill 2 Remake, the team acknowledges the challenges they’ve faced. “It was tough for those couple of years,” Zieba reflected, but the release of the remake has rejuvenated the studio’s spirits. Now, they aim to showcase their capabilities with original content.
Piejko believes the remake team’s success has paved the way for Bloober’s evolution, marking a new era for the studio. As they look ahead, they hope Cronos: The New Dawn will solidify their position as a leading horror company, further entwining their identity with the genre.
With excitement surrounding the announcement, Piejko noted the positive reactions to the character design and overall atmosphere of Cronos. Looking to the future, Cronos: The New Dawn is set to be released on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S in 2025.
