Bloober Team's Silent Hill 2 remake may be on the horizon, but another horror game, "Cronos: The New Dawn," has quietly emerged as a compelling experience. Released the year after the Silent Hill 2 remake, Cronos is an original intellectual property that combines the oppressive atmosphere of Dead Space, strategic combat reminiscent of Alan Wake, and time-travel elements akin to "Back to the Future." Currently available at its lowest price yet, it presents an opportunity for horror fans to acquire a gem.
In "Cronos: The New Dawn," players assume the role of Traveler ND-3576, an operative for an organization known as the Collective. Following a catastrophic event called the Change, which transformed humanity into monstrous beings called Orphans, the Traveler's mission involves locating temporal anomalies. These anomalies allow travel back to 1980s Poland to rescue individuals who did not survive the initial disaster. The Traveler is equipped with a suit inspired by 1960s science fiction, which, while not particularly agile, serves as protection while navigating derelict environments and confronting the Orphan creatures.
The Orphans themselves are described as a more aggressive interpretation of the monsters seen in "The Thing," posing a significant threat to the player. The game's core strength lies in its ability to generate an intense, dread-inducing atmosphere. Every shadowy corner feels potentially occupied by a threat, contributing to a nightmarish player experience. The developer's execution of this atmosphere has drawn comparisons to the beloved Silent Hill franchise, with "Cronos" offering a science-fiction take on the genre, enhanced by its focus on body horror.
For those interested in altering timelines and confronting horrific creatures, "Cronos: The New Dawn" is available on Steam for $24 / £20 at Fanatical. This represents a 60% discount, marking the game's lowest price point to date. The game's developer is Bloober Team, known for its work on horror titles. This story was created in collaboration with Fanatical's deals team, and it's worth noting that both GameSpot and Fanatical are owned by Fandom.