Cronos: The New Dawn review – survival horror is dead on arrival

Cronos: The New Dawn is a survival horror game developed by Bloober Team, known for their work on The Medium and the Silent Hill 2 remake. The game follows an unnamed protagonist who time-travels to discover the origins of a devastating outbreak that transformed the citizens of the town of New Dawn into monstrous creatures. Despite the intriguing setup, the game fails to deliver on several key elements of the survival horror genre. The game's inventory system is stingy, and the battles against the mutated townspeople are one-sided, leading to frustration. The story is revealed through the usual means, such as voice notes and environmental clues, but the pacing is described as slow-burn. While the game excels in some areas, such as the often beautifully devastated aftermath of the outbreak, it ultimately falls short in delivering a satisfying survival horror experience. The review suggests that the game's attempts to innovate within the genre may have missed the mark, leaving players feeling more frustrated than immersed.