Key information
Saber Interactive’s Hellraiser: Revival attempts to honor the franchise’s origins by drawing on Clive Barker’s 1986 novella, The Hellbound Heart. The game follows protagonist Aiden as he navigates a violent, cult-ridden world to rescue his girlfriend. Eurogamer describes the title as a messy, uneven, yet earnest tribute that struggles with its narrative throughline and tone.
Mechanically, the game functions as a standard first-person shooter that incorporates scavenging, crafting, and inventory management. Players utilize the Genesis Configuration, a puzzle box acting as a gravity gun, to manipulate objects and siphon power from enemies. Combat is described as physically satisfying, though the reviewer notes that constant inventory management during fights can disrupt the game's momentum.
Eurogamer highlights significant inconsistencies, noting that the opening half suffers from erratic pacing and uninspiring busywork. While the game borrows heavily from titles like Resident Evil 4 and Half-Life, it finds its strength in unpredictable set-pieces and the Labyrinth’s non-Euclidean environments. These abstract, puzzle-heavy sequences are cited as the game's standout moments.
Ultimately, the reviewer concludes that while Hellraiser: Revival is not a great game due to its narrative incoherence and tonal shifts, it remains fascinating and entertaining. The title is scheduled for release on October 8th for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S.
