Bloober Team, riding high on the success of their Silent Hill 2 remake, aims to prove their resurgence isn't a fluke. Their next project, Cronos: The New Dawn, signals a significant evolution for the studio.
Following overwhelmingly positive reception for the Silent Hill 2 remake, Bloober Team is eager to dispel lingering doubts. The team acknowledges past skepticism and intends to leverage the renewed trust to demonstrate their capabilities beyond a single successful title.
Cronos: The New Dawn, unveiled during the October 16th Xbox Partner Preview, marks a deliberate departure from the Silent Hill 2 style. Game Designer Wojciech Piejko confirmed, in a Gamespot interview, that the game's development began in 2021, shortly after The Medium's release, emphasizing their commitment to a distinct creative direction.
Director Jacek Zieba frames Cronos as the "second punch" in a two-hit combo, with the Silent Hill 2 remake serving as the first. He highlights the initial disbelief surrounding their involvement in the Silent Hill project, underscoring their underdog status and subsequent triumph. The remake's 86 Metacritic score is testament to their achievement, overcoming significant online criticism and pressure.
Bloober Team positions Cronos as a showcase of their potential with original IP. The game features a time-traveling protagonist navigating the past and future to alter a dystopian timeline ravaged by pandemic and mutation. Leveraging the experience gained from the Silent Hill 2 remake, the studio intends to elevate beyond the gameplay limitations of earlier titles like Layers of Fear and Observer.
The Silent Hill 2 remake represents "Bloober Team 3.0," a pivotal evolution. The positive response to Cronos' reveal trailer further bolsters their optimism. Zieba expresses a desire to solidify their reputation as a leading horror developer, emphasizing the organic growth and refinement of their craft since Layers of Fear. Piejko reiterates the team's passion for horror, suggesting a continued focus on the genre.
