Game Overview
Cronos: The New Dawn is a survival horror, action-adventure, and shooter hybrid developed and published by Bloober Team, known for their psychological horror expertise with titles like Layers of Fear and The Medium. Built in Unreal Engine 5, this dark narrative-driven game immerses players in a hauntingly atmospheric world that pushes both emotional and technical boundaries.
The game officially launched on September 5, 2025, across multiple platforms including Windows, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, Linux, and macOS. The directors, Jacek Zięba and Wojciech Piejko, led the project, ensuring the blend of survival horror intensity with modern action mechanics.
Release Date and Availability
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Initial Release Date: September 5, 2025
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Global Availability: Launched simultaneously across North America, Europe, Asia, and other key regions.
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Digital Stores: PlayStation Store, Xbox Marketplace, Steam, Epic Games Store, and Nintendo eShop for Switch 2.
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Editions Available: Standard Digital Edition and a Deluxe Edition that includes an extended soundtrack, digital artbook, and additional in-game skins.
The game has also been optimized for next-generation consoles with ray tracing, enhanced HDR, and 120Hz support on supported displays.
Developer, Publisher, and Engine
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Developer/Publisher: Bloober Team (Poland)
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Engine: Unreal Engine 5, offering realistic environments, advanced lighting effects, and immersive soundscapes that elevate the horror experience.
Bloober Team’s history in psychological and survival horror games ensures that Cronos: The New Dawn stays true to their expertise, while also exploring more combat-heavy gameplay mechanics compared to their earlier works.
Platforms
Cronos: The New Dawn can be played on:
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PlayStation 5
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Xbox Series X and Series S
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Nintendo Switch 2
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Windows (PC)
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Linux
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macOS
Cloud saves, cross-platform achievements, and performance optimizations make it versatile across different ecosystems.
Genres and Modes
This combination offers a story-driven horror campaign infused with resource management, exploration, combat, and puzzle-solving elements.
Gameplay and Features
Cronos: The New Dawn takes players into a dystopian environment filled with mystery and supernatural horror. Unlike traditional Bloober Team titles that lean heavily on exploration and storytelling, this game introduces combat and survival mechanics:
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Dynamic Horror Atmosphere: A blend of claustrophobic corridors, abandoned cities, and eerie wilderness.
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Survival Mechanics: Limited ammo, scarce resources, and weapon durability force players to make strategic choices.
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Action-Combat Integration: From firearms to melee tools, players must adapt to evolving enemy types.
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Narrative Depth: Choices influence story progression, with multiple endings shaping player experience.
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Immersive Audio: Full 3D binaural sound design intensifies every encounter.
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Next-Gen Performance: Ray-traced shadows, volumetric lighting, and advanced physics powered by Unreal Engine 5.
PC, Mac & Linux System Requirements
Minimum (Windows):
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OS: Windows 10 64-bit
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CPU: Intel i5-8400 / AMD Ryzen 5 2600
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RAM: 8 GB
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GPU: NVIDIA GTX 1060 / AMD RX 580
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Storage: 50 GB available space
Recommended (Windows):
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OS: Windows 11 64-bit
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CPU: Intel i7-10700K / AMD Ryzen 7 5800X
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RAM: 16 GB
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GPU: NVIDIA RTX 3070 / AMD RX 6800 XT
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Storage: 50 GB SSD
macOS & Linux:
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Minimum: macOS Ventura / Ubuntu 22.04, i5 CPU, 8 GB RAM, integrated Metal/Vulkan-supported GPU.
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Recommended: Apple M1/M2 or equivalent, 16 GB RAM, SSD storage.
These requirements ensure that while next-gen hardware enhances the experience, mid-tier PCs and laptops can still run the game smoothly.
User Ratings and Reception
Early reviews highlight:
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Steam User Ratings: “Very Positive” with 90% approval after the first week.
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Critics’ Feedback: Praise for its cinematic storytelling, deeply unsettling sound design, and polished visuals. Some critiques point to its steep learning curve due to resource scarcity.
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Community Response: Fans commend Bloober Team for blending traditional survival horror with modern mechanics, bridging the gap between old-school tension and new-gen presentation.
