Bloober Team, the acclaimed studio behind the SILENT HILL 2 remake, has released the first full gameplay trailer for their upcoming original survival horror IP, Cronos: The New Dawn. This eerie trailer introduces THE MERGE, a groundbreaking mechanic that transforms every enemy encounter into a nightmarish struggle for survival. The game is set to release later this year for Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation®5, and PC via Steam.
A Journey Through Time and Terror
Cronos: The New Dawn is set across two distinct time periods: the grim ruins of a post-apocalyptic future and 1980s-era Poland. Players step into the shoes of a Traveller, an agent of the mysterious Collective, who must travel back in time to save key individuals before they perish in the apocalypse. The game is set in the decaying district of New Dawn, inspired by the real-life Nowa Huta, where players will face grotesque enemies known as the Orphans — twisted monstrosities born from humanity’s darkest nightmares.
Innovative Gameplay Mechanics
The tagline “Don’t Let Them Merge” highlights one of the game’s core mechanics: downed enemies don’t stay dead for long. If players fail to burn their bodies, these fallen monsters can be absorbed by other enemies, evolving into faster, stronger, and more horrifying abominations through a process known as Merging. This mechanic adds a new layer of strategy to combat, pushing players’ survival instincts to the max.
Developer Insights
Jacek Zięba, Co-Director and Producer at Bloober Team, describes the game as “a distorted mix of sci-fi, time travel, retro-futuristic dread, and body horror—all set against the gritty backdrop of 80s Poland.” Co-Director and Designer Wojciech Piejko adds, “Fire is your ally. Burn the fallen before they merge with living creatures. The merge changes the game, adding a whole new layer of strategy to combat.”
A World Warped by Time and Terror
The gameplay trailer also showcases the game’s ferocious weapons, terrifying new enemies, and the Brutalist architecture of New Dawn, twisted by anomalies that warp reality. Players will encounter enigmatic characters with their own hidden agendas, promising a story filled with cryptic secrets and a creeping sense of dread.
Haunting Soundtrack
The game’s soundtrack, created by award-winning composer Arkadiusz Reikowski in collaboration with the Polish-Ukrainian indie folk band Zazula, features haunting traditional vocals that blend synth horror with surreal, avant-garde textures. This ethereal soundscape enhances the eerie and immersive experience of Cronos: The New Dawn.
Release Information
Cronos: The New Dawn is set for release in 2025 on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation®5, and PC via Steam. Wishlist the game now on Steam, Microsoft Store, and PlayStation to receive updates on this unique survival horror experience. Stay tuned for more horrors to follow soon.
For more information go to www.cronosnewdawn.com or visit the following social media channels: X, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Discord.
