Cronos: The New Dawn

Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series S/X, Switch 2, PC

Given a cursory glance, Cronos: The New Dawn could be mistaken for a slimy, tentacled offspring born of an unholy union between Dead Space and Resident Evil 4. But sizing up developer Bloober Team's sci-fi survival horror romp based solely on its obvious inspirations would be paying it a huge disservice.

While it unquestionably borrows elements from those genre heavyweights, it also conjures a unique, unnerving experience well-deserving of a spot in your future nightmares. First and foremost, it refreshingly represents a wholly unapologetic return to the genre's nerve-fraying roots. While some so-called "scary" games have traded suffocating fear and desperation for empowering, clip-emptying action, Cronos has no problem repeatedly reducing players to pulpy puddles.

Cronos doesn't simply rely on stacked odds and scarce resources to spike your pulse.

Its beautiful, albeit extremely bleak, post-apocalyptic landscape is populated by horrifying creatures that grow more grotesque — and much more powerful — by merging with the pulsating remains of their fallen allies. It's all good though, because you'll maybe have a half dozen bullets and a handful of scrap metal in your arsenal when you face these formidable foes.

But Cronos doesn't simply rely on stacked odds and scarce resources to spike your pulse. While those elements will certainly contribute to your elevated heart rate, it's the expertly crafted systems, pitch-perfect pacing, and anxiety-ratcheting enemy encounters that consistently and believably sell the sense that you're just barely surviving.

Every single upgrade is meaningful, inventory management is suitably stressful, and it never feels like anything less than Christmas morning when you stumble upon an ammo cache or health pack. This thoughtful, effective design is further complemented by an incredibly streamlined, straightforward campaign that doesn't get bogged down with bloated content; after all, there's no time to chase shiny trinkets or navigate superfluous systems when you're just trying to live through the next 10 seconds.

Some will find Cronos' back-to-basics difficulty a bit daunting. And, even if you're up for the punishment, its lack of a dodge or quick-turn mechanic might leave you frustrated when you're toe-to-tentacle with a towering monster. The game's narrative can also be a bit too obtuse and bizarre for its own good. While it spins a delightfully weird post-apocalyptic, sci-fi tale — complete with time-hopping, Polish history, and cat herding — it doesn't always justify its peculiarities, nor does its slow-burn payoff quite stick the landing.

Still, if you're craving a tight, rewarding survival horror action-adventure that doesn't skimp on the "survival" — or scares — Cronos is well worth the night terrors you'll no doubt endure upon rolling its credits.