bThe Polish developers behind the overlooked psychological thriller The Medium from 2021, along with last year’s impressive Silent Hill 2 remake, clearly grasp the almost rhythmic essence of survival horror games. It’s perplexing to witness this latest release shine in many aspects while simultaneously stumbling in some of the genre’s foundational principles.

Players take on the role of travelers sent to investigate a catastrophic outbreak that has turned the residents of a town named New Doon into nightmarish figures, typical of Science Fiction-adjacent survival horror. Delve into the ruins of a beautifully devastated scenario and seek out places to spend your time traveling. The narrative unfolds slowly through a familiar mix of audio logs, chaotic elements, and signs of harsh environments, often depicted with bloodstains on the walls.

Unfortunately, this intriguing premise cannot uphold the weight of Chronos’ series of baffling missteps. Instead of cultivating a sense of claustrophobic dread, it opts for overwhelming, frantic impulses, sparking a need for creative expressions of frustration.

The superb sound design effectively instills a sense of waiting in the dark, plagued by hunger. The problems arise when you confront the monsters. One of the initial foes ambushes you in a tight space, and you’re downed in mere hits. Your only defense is a weak weapon and an aim that seems to flail in every direction, making you realize how to cheese your way through until you meet your demise—only to repeat the cycle. This maddening dance persists throughout the entire 14-hour journey.

This complaint is somewhat alleviated when ample ammunition and health-restoring items are provided, creating a semblance of having narrowly escaped death. However, you’re often thrust into battles with overwhelming monsters armed for combat, with limited health and resources, leaving no viable strategy. Attempts to introduce challenges devolve into frustrating designs riddled with issues.

The inventory system doesn’t help matters; even the most dedicated survival horror fans will find themselves sacrificing precious bullets to carry keycards to progress or waste time moving between storage points to retrieve items. This doesn’t build tension; instead, it fosters tedious tasks.

The most exasperating aspect is the presence of a striking core. Despite its time travel themes, Chronos: New Dawn isn’t wholly original. I find I’ve navigated these dark hallways of hospitals, factories, and apartment buildings before; however, they exhibit stunning visuals and often engage when upgrading your weapons. When everything aligns, it delivers the gruesome body horror experience you seek. Yet, it too often shoves you into another overly punishing fight against resilient foes, replacing fear with sheer frustration.