Bloober Team, riding high on the positive reception of their Silent Hill 2 remake, is eager to prove their latest success wasn't a fluke. Their next project aims to solidify their position in the horror genre.
Bloober Team's Path to Redemption
Building on Success, Moving Beyond
The overwhelmingly positive critical and fan response to the Silent Hill 2 remake has been a major boost for Bloober Team. Despite significant changes from the original, the remake was well-received, dispelling much of the initial skepticism surrounding the developer's involvement. However, the team acknowledges past doubts and is determined to demonstrate their continued growth.
At the Xbox Partner Preview on October 16th, Bloober Team unveiled their new horror title, Cronos: The New Dawn. Game Designer Wojciech Piejko emphasized a departure from the Silent Hill 2 style, stating in a Gamespot interview, "We don't want to make a similar game." Development on Cronos began in 2021, shortly after The Medium's release.
Director Jacek Zieba described Cronos: The New Dawn as their "second punch" following the "first punch" of the Silent Hill 2 remake, highlighting their underdog status. The initial doubts surrounding their capability to handle a survival horror title of such renown fueled their determination.
Zieba noted, "Nobody believed we could deliver, and we delivered. That was a big honor, that we, as Bloober, could work with Silent Hill and Konami." The team's dedication and perseverance resulted in an 86 Metacritic score. Piejko commented, "They made the impossible possible, and it was a bumpy road because of all the hate on the internet. The pressure was big on them, and they delivered, and for the company, it's an amazing moment."
Bloober Team 3.0: Evolution and Focus
Piejko positioned Cronos: The New Dawn as a testament to their ability to create compelling original IP. The game features a time-traveling protagonist, "The Traveler," navigating the past and future to save individuals and alter a dystopian future ravaged by pandemic and mutants.
Leveraging the experience gained from the Silent Hill 2 remake, Bloober Team aims to build upon their past work, moving beyond the limitations of earlier titles like Layers of Fear and Observer. Zieba explained, "the basis [for Cronos] when we started in pre-production was there [thanks to] the Silent Hill team."
The Silent Hill 2 remake marks a turning point, representing "Bloober Team 3.0." The positive response to the Cronos reveal trailer further bolsters their confidence. Zieba expressed their commitment to the horror genre, stating, "We want to find our niche, and we think we found our niche, so now we just--let's evolve with it." Piejko added, "We gathered a team that loves horror...and we don't want to [switch genres]."
