Cronos: The New Dawn might not be the game for beginners in the genre.
Cronos: The New Dawn, a new survival horror adventure, was released on September 5, and so far the community is thrilled – even though the game is aimed at the true veterans among us. Experience in the horror genre makes all the difference here, because in Cronos, nothing is given to you for free.
Take Dead Space, But Make It Way Harder
A “Very Positive” rating on Steam is usually a good indication that gamers have been gifted with another little gem. Survival horror fans in particular will be delighted, and those of us who already enjoyed Dead Space will be amazed even more. Bonus points for players who want a real challenge, because in Cronos, survival is truly an art.
This isn't just a matter of mindlessly hacking away at mutants (or "Orphans", as they're called in Cronos). The game's standard difficulty is already fairly challenging, and casual gamers in particular will have to get used to it at first. However, regular game over screens are practically part of the experience in Cronos.
But it's not just the difficulty that makes Cronos: The New Dawn worth checking out. Resource scarcity and strong enemies are one thing, but what if your enemies could become even stronger after you've already killed them? That's what the merge mechanic does. Mutants that you've already eliminated can merge with other dead bodies, and before you know it, you're facing an even more terrifying threat. And the worst part? When that happens, you only have yourself to blame. You can prevent this by burning your fallen enemies quickly enough – but sometimes that's easier said than done.
The game stands out not only for its dense, oppressive atmosphere, which demands strong nerves practically all the time, but also for its well-designed gunplay. If you run out of ammunition, it's pretty much game over (unfortunately, the melee combat leaves something to be desired), but when your magazine is still full? Shooting is fun, whether at enemies or the environment, but there's one thing you should always keep in mind: every shot has to count, because ammunition doesn't grow on trees.
Cronos' Story – More Than Just A Shooter
Cronos: The New Dawn follows the story of the Traveler, an agent of a mysterious organization called The Collective. Tasked with venturing through temporal rifts, she must gather vital resources known as Essence while contending with a deadly plague called The Change, which mutates humans into terrifying creatures – the Orphans. Fire, survival, and resource management become critical as she navigates a collapsing world filled with danger and moral dilemmas. Blending psychological horror with intense combat, the game explores themes of sacrifice, resilience, and humanity’s fight against extinction.
The Traveler operates in a devastated future but uses temporal rifts to journey back into 1980s Poland. These missions into the past are the only way to try to preserve what remains of humanity in the future. Do you have what it takes to make the mission a success?