Cronos: The New Dawn Global Release Times & Early Reviews
- Sagar Mankar
- Sep 3
- 3 min read
Bloober Team’s next big survival horror project, Cronos: The New Dawn, is officially releasing worldwide on September 5, 2025, with a coordinated launch across all major platforms — PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC (Steam/Epic), and Nintendo Switch 2.
The studio unveiled its cinematic trailer during Gamescom Opening Night Live, giving fans their most in‑depth look yet at the game’s eerie world and time‑twisting premise.
Set in a retro‑futuristic, post‑apocalyptic Eastern Europe inspired by Poland’s Nowa Huta district, the story unfolds after a mysterious event called The Change transforms much of humanity into monstrous creatures known as Orphans. Players step into the role of The Traveler, an operative for a shadowy group called The Collective, tasked with using time rifts to journey back to the 1980s — right as The Change begins — to “extract” key figures whose knowledge could explain or even reverse the catastrophe.
The narrative is delivered through environmental storytelling, scattered letters and audio logs, cinematic cutscenes, and multiple endings shaped by player choices.
According to Bloober, Cronos combines classic survival horror elements with innovative mechanics: close-quarters level design influenced by Resident Evil and Dead Space, firearms and melee combat, a stomp mechanic to destroy corpses and prevent "Merging," tight inventory management, weapon and tool upgrades, and temporal anomalies.
The studio, known for the Silent Hill 2 Remake, is also focusing on accessibility options for both console and PC players.
Global Release Times
Los Angeles (PDT) – Sept 5, 07:00 AM (Fri)
Houston (CST) – Sept 5, 08:00 AM
New York (EDT) – Sept 5, 10:00 AM
London (BST) – Sept 5, 3:00 PM
Kraków (CEST) – Sept 5, 4:00 PM
São Paulo (BRT) – Sept 5, 11:00 AM
Beijing (CST) – Sept 5, 10:00 PM
Tokyo (JST) – Sept 5, 11:00 PM
Sydney (AEST) – Sept 6, 12:00 AM (Sat)
Early Reviews & Impressions
Critics have already weighed in:
Polygon – “Contemporary horror at its very best.”
Windows Central – “By far my favorite experience at Gamescom 2025,” praising its oppressive loneliness and gruesome combat.
Eurogamer – Says it “feels like a combination of every other survival horror game I’ve played before.”
Push Square (8/10) – Commends its visuals, score, and time‑travel mystery, calling it “a delectable piece of sci‑fi horror.”
The Sixth Axis (8/10) – Applauds its mix of familiar influences and original touches. "The intriguing narrative, the enjoyable progression, and the challenging combat all combine to make an experience that cements Bloober's place as horror specialists."
PlayStation Universe (8/10) – Labels it “a confident, if slightly derivative effort” with solid fundamentals. "Kept in line by solid fundamentals and a story that hits the right notes, this is an easy recommendation for fans of similar games where the hospitality of the locals isn't as warm or as welcoming as you had once hoped."
GameGrin (4.5/10) – Criticizes its gameplay and story despite strong art direction.
Editions & Pricing
Standard Edition – $59.99 Includes base game + pre‑order bonuses (ammo, health pack, 1,000 Energy, unique Traveler armor skin)
Deluxe Edition – $69.99 Adds 48‑hour early access (from Sept 3), extra resources, 1× Core Resource, 1,500 Energy, 2 bonus armor skins, plus a digital artbook & soundtrack
With its atmospheric setting, layered storytelling, and a mix of old‑school horror tension with modern mechanics, Cronos: The New Dawn is shaping up to be one of Bloober Team’s most ambitious releases yet.
Comments