0
0
One of the most striking and most important things about Cronos: The New Dawn is that it’s not exactly easy. In many ways, it’s outright difficult. This isn’t some sci-fi shooter where one can pick up a machine gun and just start blasting monsters away. It’s closer to the earlier Resident Evil games where resources are scarce and planning is needed. The game also doesn’t hold your hand. It throws you in the deep end, leaving players to figure it out – or die.
Without spoiling too much, you’ll encounter creatures quickly and they’ll need to be killed. You’ll have a gun to do just that, but ammo is scarce, so be mindful. The bigger issue is that enemies, once killed, can be absorbed by living creatures, creating bigger, stronger, peskier threats. As a result, fallen enemies will need to be dealt with. I won’t spoil the how of it all, but it involves fire. Burn away, Travelers!
It’s a game of limited resources and one that requires planning. It’s not a run-and-gun thing. It’s more Alien: Isolation than Halo, but it’s also not really like either of those things. It’s a cocktail of things, with Dead Space also being an obvious influence. From a player perspective though, it’s really all about planning. One has to think critically and think ahead or it gets frustratingly difficult in a hurry.
“It shouldn’t be easy but simple, yes, “Shamil Yanbukhtin, the game’s lead combat designer, tells Fango of the gameplay. “That was the goal. The gameplay should be simple for the player. Instantly be hooked on what he or she is doing, but since we were aiming for the risk and reward philosophy of game design, any player’s mistake should get punished hard.”
The team are fans of “hardcore” games, so that’s something to consider. It’s intuitive to play but that doesn’t mean the game itself is easy. Those looking for something casual may want to look elsewhere. Those okay with a challenge? Step right up.
