Bloober Team, the development studio recognized for its work on the Silent Hill 2 Remake, has released the first full gameplay trailer for its new original survival horror IP, Cronos: The New Dawn. The trailer introduces THE MERGE, an innovative new combat mechanic that fundamentally alters how players engage with enemies.
Cronos: The New Dawn is set across two distinct periods: a post-apocalyptic future and the 1980s-era Poland. The game transports players to the decaying district of New Dawn, which is inspired by the real-life Nowa Huta. Players assume the role of a Traveller, an agent from a dystopian future tasked with traveling back in time to rescue key individuals before an apocalypse. In this world on the brink of annihilation, players will confront Orphans—grotesque enemies described as body-horror monstrosities.
A New Mechanic: The Merge
The trailer highlights one of the game’s core systems, warning players with the tagline, “Don’t Let Them Merge.” This refers to a mechanic where downed enemies are not permanently defeated. If their bodies are not destroyed, they can be absorbed by other enemies. This process, known as Merging, causes enemies to evolve into faster, stronger, and more resilient abominations, gaining new abilities.
Jacek Zięba, Co-Director and Producer at Bloober Team, commented on the game’s atmosphere, describing it as a “distorted mix of sci-fi, time travel, retro-futuristic dread, and body horror—all set against the gritty backdrop of 80s Poland.” Wojciech Piejko, Co-Director and Designer, added that fire is the primary method for players to prevent Merging, introducing a new layer of strategy to combat encounters.
A World of Horror and Mystery
The gameplay trailer also provides a look at other features, including the game’s arsenal of weapons, a variety of enemies, and the unique environments of Brutalist architecture twisted by temporal anomalies. The trailer teases enigmatic new characters with their own agendas and secrets, suggesting a story rich with cryptic details and a persistent sense of dread.
The game’s soundtrack, created by composer Arkadiusz Reikowski in collaboration with the Polish-Ukrainian indie folk band Zazula, is noted for its blend of traditional vocals and synth horror elements.
Cronos: The New Dawn is scheduled for release later this year on Xbox Series X|S, PS5, and PC.
