Clive Barker’s Hellraiser: Revival Preview – A Twisted Blend of BioShock and Body Horror

After spending half-hour with a slice of Saber Interactive’s Clive Barker’s Hellraiser: Revival, I used to be left intrigued by the combination of Bioshock–fashion gunplay and exploration with mind-bending, graphic horror.

Set about 20 years after the unique, with enter from collection creator and horror icon Clive Barker, this new entry follows Aidan, a former convict, who units off to retrieve his girlfriend Sunny from the clutches of the Cenobites. My demo began half of the way in which into the sport at a cultist enclave, stuffed with BDSM-styled religious believers.

Essentially the most stunning half of the demo was simply this part within the cultist constructing. It instantly felt like a horror expertise akin to Bioshock. Regardless of the concern of being caught and overwhelmed, I felt empowered due to the a number of weapons I had entry to. Aidan was geared up with a pistol, shotgun, and submachine gun, together with a number of melee weapons. These might be used to take down cultists, however they had been carrying armor, forcing me to give attention to breaking off items to really deal injury.

The opposite device at my disposal was the Genesis Configuration, the puzzle field that every one of Hellraiser facilities round. In Clive Barker’s Hellraiser: Revival, the Genesis Configuration works as a magic device. For instance, permitting you to drag in and throw objects within the surroundings, however it looks as if there can be different powers current within the full expertise.

After transferring by the foyer of the cultist HQ, I moved into the Labyrinth itself. There have been no enemies right here; as a substitute, there was an eerie surroundings and a walking-path puzzle, the place I needed to maneuver the room with the puzzle field to create a bridge throughout.

Lastly was a P.T.-inspired looping hallway part, the place Aidan received to expertise some of the highs and lows of his relationship with Sunny. This consists of some graphic work and notes to learn, going all in on the extra seductive and hornier points of the Hellraiser collection. The ambiance right here was tense, with a number of genuinely scary reveals. 

I hope your entire expertise of Clive Barker’s Hellraiser: Revival can reside as much as the superb pitch offered within the demo. The scary ambiance, thrilling fight, and obsession with physique horror give it a singular really feel amongst present horror sport franchises. My largest concern about leaving the demo is the narrative — not as a result of I didn’t like what I noticed, however as a result of I simply didn’t get to see a lot.

Clive Barker’s Hellraiser: Revival releases on October 8 for PS5, Xbox Collection X|S, and PC.