On October 21, 2025, horror game fans received a much-anticipated treat: Bloober Team, the studio behind acclaimed titles like Silent Hill 2 Remake, launched the physical edition of Cronos: The New Dawn for Nintendo Switch 2. Alongside this, the developer dropped a brand-new, 30-minute playable demo for PC users via Steam and the Epic Games Store, just in time for the Halloween season. It’s a move that’s already stirring excitement across the gaming community, with critics and fans alike eager to dive into the eerie world of Cronos.
The physical edition for Switch 2 isn’t just the base game on a card. According to Bloody Disgusting, it comes bundled with a unique Traveler skin, a cache of valuable digital supplies, and a collectible sticker set inspired by the game’s unsettling universe. This collector’s approach is a nod to the franchise’s growing fanbase and the developer’s knack for creating immersive, tactile experiences. It also signals Bloober Team’s commitment to the Nintendo audience, who often crave physical editions and exclusive content.
But the real buzz is around the new PC demo. As reported by DSOGaming and Wccftech, the 30-minute demo lets players experience the introduction and first mission of the Traveler, the game’s protagonist. The Traveler’s early goal is to locate a missing predecessor, a quest that quickly pulls players into the game’s signature blend of oppressive atmosphere, challenging combat, and the much-touted merge mechanic. Players get their hands on at least two weapons in the demo, starting with the basic but trusty Sword MK-1615 handgun—a detail that’s already become a talking point among fans of survival horror weaponry.
One of the standout features of the demo, as highlighted by Wccftech, is that progress made in the trial version carries over to the full game. That means PC players can jump in, get a taste of the action, and, if they’re hooked, continue seamlessly after purchasing the full version. It’s a player-friendly decision that removes the frustration of replaying the same early sections and helps build momentum for the game’s broader narrative and mechanics.
Console players, however, are left out of the demo experience for now. While PC users can download and replay the demo as many times as they like, those on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, and Switch 2 have to make do with the game’s full digital or physical versions. Still, all platforms are included in the special Halloween sale, which offers a 15% discount across Steam, the Epic Games Store, PlayStation Store (beginning October 22), Microsoft Store, Nintendo eShop, and GOG, running until November 4, 2025. It’s a timely promotion, as horror games surge in popularity every October, and Cronos: The New Dawn is making a strong case for itself as one of the year’s must-play titles.
Bloober Team hasn’t been resting on its laurels since the game’s digital debut. According to Bloody Disgusting, the developer has addressed minor issues reported by early players and rolled out several quality-of-life updates for the Switch 2 version. These tweaks, though not detailed in the press materials, are said to smooth out gameplay and improve the overall experience—an important factor for a genre where immersion and tension hinge on tight controls and atmosphere.
So what exactly does Cronos: The New Dawn offer to seasoned horror fans and newcomers alike? Set in a brutal post-apocalyptic wasteland, the game tasks players with surviving against deadly creatures, managing scarce resources, and making tough choices. The much-discussed merge mechanic introduces a twist: enemies can fuse together to form larger, more terrifying monsters, keeping players on their toes and forcing them to rethink their approach to combat. As DSOGaming puts it, "Firepower is key to survival, and Cronos: The New Dawn gives you plenty of weapons to discover." The game’s world is as unforgiving as it is intriguing, and there’s even a lighter side—players might spot a few cats along the way, adding a touch of levity to the relentless dread.
Critical reception has been largely positive. In his review for Wccftech, Francesco De Meo awarded the game an 8/10, praising its setting, story, and level design, especially once players push through the initial hours. "With its by-the-books survival horror experience, its first few hours feeling more frustrating than fun due to clunky combat and average enemy design, Cronos: The Dawn seemed to be nothing more than an unremarkable survival horror heavily inspired by the Dead Space series. Push past the around two hours mark, however, and the game blossoms into one of Bloober Team's best titles to date, thanks to its quirky mechanics, solid level design, unique setting and mystery-filled story." This kind of nuanced critique has helped set expectations for players: the game might start off slow, but it rewards patience with depth and originality.
It’s not just critics who are taking notice. GameSpot recently included Cronos: The New Dawn in its roundup of the best horror games of 2025, placing it alongside heavy hitters like Silent Hill f and indie darling Look Outside. The inclusion is a badge of honor for Bloober Team, marking their latest creation as a standout in a crowded, competitive genre. The timing couldn’t be better, either—Halloween is prime time for horror games, and Cronos is poised to capture the imaginations (and nerves) of players looking for their next scare.
The technical side of the game is equally impressive. Built on Unreal Engine 5, Cronos: The New Dawn delivers detailed environments and atmospheric lighting that heighten its sense of dread and immersion. As DSOGaming notes, the game is "a bit demanding" in terms of hardware, but that’s par for the course with cutting-edge horror titles. For those with capable PCs, the payoff is a visually stunning, deeply unsettling journey into the unknown.
For collectors and die-hard fans, the Switch 2 physical edition is a tempting package. The inclusion of exclusive digital bonuses and a sticker set adds a tangible dimension to the experience, something that’s increasingly rare in the era of digital-only releases. Meanwhile, the ongoing Halloween sale makes it easier for newcomers to take the plunge—whether on PC or console, there’s never been a better time to explore the world of Cronos: The New Dawn.
With its blend of classic survival horror, innovative mechanics, and a relentless post-apocalyptic setting, Cronos: The New Dawn is shaping up to be one of 2025’s defining horror games. As the Halloween season reaches its peak, Bloober Team’s latest creation invites players to brave the darkness, face monstrous threats, and maybe—just maybe—pet a cat or two along the way.
