Last updated on August 25, 2025
Cronos: The New Dawn is just around the corner, sparking excitement among horror fans as its release date approaches. Developed by Bloober Team, the studio behind highly acclaimed titles such as Silent Hill 2 Remake, Layers of Fear, Blair Witch, The Medium, and Observer, this project is undeniably ambitious. Cronos highlights the iconic gameplay of survival horror games with resource management, intense combat, and relentless suspense. Moreover, it includes a dual-timeline narrative set in a science fiction setting. All things considered, it has every chance of being one of the most remarkable games of 2025.
Deep Immersion
Showcased at Gamescom 2025, the new trailer takes us into a rather grim and dystopian environment inspired by the Nowa Huta district of Krakow, Poland. We see a mysterious person arrive dressed in a futuristic suit, evoking Isaac Clarke from Dead Space. At the same time, the suit recalls the frightening style of Pyramid Head from Silent Hill 2. To further highlight the protagonist, Bloober Team even accompanied the video with a an eye-catching cosplay.
This immersion-focused approach is striking from the very first glance. The setting is desperate, dangerous, and unforgiving, while tension is maintained through visual effects, ambient sounds, and music. Movements are deliberately slowed down, prompting players to focus on the dense environment rather than the action. Even from a brief presentation, it is clear that Cronos pays homage to several iconic horror games. The game feels like a balanced mix of Resident Evil, Dead Space, and Silent Hill, but with a new setting and a unique storyline.
Duality is Everywhere
In Cronos: The New Dawn, we will travel between two timelines. After a devastating event called The Change, humanity perished, transforming into monstrous creatures. This post-apocalyptic world is brutal and ruthless, but there is a ray of hope. And that hope is you, a Traveler, whose mission is to find temporal rifts and return to the past to save important people.
On the one side, the violence of a post-apocalyptic world; on the other, the tragic events that took place in Poland in the 1980s. The duality of these two environments, both linked by catastrophe, is a fundamental aspect of the game. Especially since time travel is not without consequences, because by altering the past, we will see changes in the future.
Survival is Earned
Cronos reflects the key aspects of survival horror games. You don’t play the role of a powerful hero capable of defeating endless waves of enemies. You are slow, clumsy, and rather vulnerable, which makes your choice of battles even more important. Resources are limited, and strategic planning is essential for survival.
The combat is further complicated by the fact that fallen enemies do not remain dead for too long. As soon as another nightmarish creature arrives, it can absorb the remains of their bodies, becoming even more powerful and difficult to slay. The only way to avoid this fierce battle is to quickly burn the corpses. You must act fast, pushing your reflexes to their limits.
Sanity is at Risk
Cronos shows just how fragile mental health can be. As you collect the essences needed to save people who have perished in the past, you must carry them with you. They will haunt your mind, causing you to hear whispers and see things that don’t exist. Or maybe they do? At some point in your journey, the line between your visions and the real world may become blurred.
Release Date and Platforms
Are you intrigued by the concept? The good news is that we won’t have to wait too long to explore this third-person sci-fi horror game. Cronos: The New Dawn is set to release on September 5, 2025, and will be available on PC, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch 2, and Xbox Series X/S.
Editions and Pre-Order Bonuses
Cronos: The New Dawn is available in two editions: Standard and Deluxe. What’s exciting is that whichever edition you choose, you’ll receive The Medium, a horror game created by the same developer, for free. By choosing the Deluxe Edition, you’ll get 48 hours of early access, along with various cosmetic items, a digital artbook, and the soundtrack.
Final Verdict
Overall, we can expect a solid third-person horror game that stays faithful to the genre in many ways. It promises to be immersive and captivating, with a strong psychological aspect. Nevertheless, it has its own imperfections.
Strong features of the game:
- Compelling story, with time travel and devastating consequences of your actions.
- Immersive Environment, where every detail has been carefully designed.
- Terrifying combat, where dead enemies can be just as dangerous as living ones thanks to the Fusion system.
Weak points:
- Déjà Vu Effect: The gameplay is too reminiscent of what we have seen before, which makes it less original.
- Slow Movements can be advantageous for some players and annoying for others who are used to fast-paced games.
If you enjoy immersive horror games with a thrilling mystery storyline, likable characters, and brutal combat, Cronos: The New Dawn is the perfect choice for you. However, if you’re used to more action-packed games with an overpowered protagonist, you might find this game a bit challenging. And while this title evokes the great classics in a nostalgic way, we can hope that it will leave room for creativity.
