2,000+ reviews in just 4 days: New sci-fi survival game on Steam launches with a very strong start
Bloober Team has returned to original survival horror with the launch of Cronos: The New Dawn, out now on PC, Xbox Series X|S, PS5, and Nintendo Switch 2 (curr. $449 on Amazon). After years of remakes and licensed projects, this is the studio’s first new IP since 2021, and it’s one that has time-bending mechanics mixed in with a very dystopian setting.
Development began shortly after the release of The Medium, with the team opting for Unreal Engine 5 to build something bigger in scope. The game is set between a bleak future and 1980s Poland, and the story follows the Traveler, a character who can shift between timelines to uncover the fate of the vanished. The premise has a pretty grim twist - corpses must be burned, or they’ll fuse into tougher enemies. This mechanic pushes players to make quick, uneasy choices.
Reception so far has been divided but mostly positive. Critics have praised the game’s oppressive atmosphere and deliberate storytelling, calling it Bloober’s most ambitious project yet. Windows Central went as far as to label it "the most impressive survival horror debut on Xbox and PC in over a decade." On the other hand, combat hasn’t been as warmly received. Some reviewers found it clunky, with limited inventory management and inconsistent auto-saves which makes the tension feel more tedious than terrifying.
Player response has been very encouraging, though. On Steam, the game currently sits at an 86.49% positive rating from around 2,339 reviews. Many comparisons are being drawn to games like Dead Space, Silent Hill, and Resident Evil, which is quite a familiar trio of influences, though some argue Cronos brings more heart and introspection than the aforementioned titles.
The game is priced at $59.99, with a Deluxe Edition at $69.99 that adds a soundtrack and digital art book. If you're someone who likes slow-burn, atmospheric horror, Cronos: The New Dawn could be it.
