Chronos (2016 video game)
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Developer(s) | Gunfire Games |
Publisher(s) | Gunfire Games (Original version) THQ Nordic (Before the Ashes) |
Platform(s) | Original version Microsoft Windows Before the Ashes Microsoft Windows Nintendo Switch PlayStation 4 Stadia Xbox One |
Release | Original version March 28, 2016 Before the Ashes December 1, 2020[1] |
Genre(s) | Role-playing |
Mode(s) | Single-player |
Chronos is a 2016 role-playing game developed and published by Gunfire Games for the Oculus Rift virtual reality (VR) headset. The game received generally positive reviews upon release. An overhauled version of the game, titled Chronos: Before the Ashes was released for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One and Stadia on December 1, 2020.[1]
Gameplay[]
The game is a role-playing game viewed from a third-person perspective, though the game only has a fixed camera similar to the early Resident Evil games. In the game, the player assumes control of a customizable protagonist, who is on a quest to kill a dragon inside a labyrinth. The game's combat mainly involves slashing enemies with melee weapons while fending off hostile attacks with a shield. Should the player die when they are exploring, they can only reenter the labyrinth one in-game year later, and the player character will age, which alters the character's attributes.[2] As the player progresses in the game, they will solve puzzles, acquire new weapons and unlock magical powers. As the player earns experience, they will level up which allows them to improve the player character's attributes including strength, agility, arcane, and vitality.[3]
Development[]
The game was the first title released by Gunfire Games, which was founded by David Adams, the founder of Vigil Games who have created the Darksiders series.[4] The game was announced on June 11, 2015 during a press conference held by the Oculus.[5] It was among the first titles unveiled for the Oculus Rift VR headset and it became the headset's launch game when it was released on March 28, 2016.[6]
In September 2020, THQ Nordic announced an overhauled version of the game named Chronos: Before the Ashes. This version of the game removes the VR requirement, and serves as the prequel to Gunfire's Remnant: From the Ashes. The game was released for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch and Stadia on December 1, 2020.[1]
Reception[]
Aggregator | Score |
---|---|
Metacritic | PC: 77/100[7] NS: 67/100[8] PC (Before the Ashes): 67/100[9] PS4: 68/100[10] XONE: 71/100[11] |
Publication | Score |
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IGN | 8/10[13] |
Nintendo World Report | (BtA) 7.5/10[14] |
PC Gamer (US) | (BtA) 72/100[12] |
The game received generally positive reviews according to review aggregator Metacritic.[7] Critics compared the game to The Legend of Zelda series[15] and Dark Souls.[16] Some critics noted that gameplay-wise, the game was traditional but the incorporation of VR elevated the experience.[17][18]
References[]
- ^ a b c Yin-Poole, Wesley (September 10, 2020). "Chronos: Before the Ashes is the prequel to Remnant: From the Ashes". Eurogamer. Retrieved September 12, 2020.
- ^ Pearce, Alanah (May 3, 2017). "Chronos Review". IGN. Retrieved March 5, 2020.
- ^ McNamara, Andy (March 28, 2016). "Chronos: A Labyrinth With Many Layers". Game Informer. Retrieved March 5, 2020.
- ^ Tach, Dave (June 11, 2015). "Chronos is coming to Oculus Rift from former Darksiders devs, with aging mechanic". Polygon. Retrieved March 5, 2020.
- ^ Webster, Andrew (June 11, 2015). "These are the first Oculus Rift games". The Verge. Retrieved March 5, 2020.
- ^ Calandra, Nick (February 1, 2016). "Gunfire Games' VR RPG 'Chronos' to Be Released in March". The Escapists. Retrieved March 5, 2020.
- ^ a b "Chronos for PC Reviews". Metacritic. Red Ventures. Retrieved March 27, 2021.
- ^ "Chronos: Before the Ashes for Switch Reviews". Metacritic. Red Ventures. Retrieved March 27, 2021.
- ^ "Chronos: Before the Ashes for PC Reviews". Metacritic. Red Ventures. Retrieved March 27, 2021.
- ^ "Chronos: Before the Ashes for PlayStation 4 Reviews". Metacritic. Red Ventures. Retrieved March 27, 2021.
- ^ "Chronos: Before the Ashes for Xbox One Reviews". Metacritic. Red Ventures. Retrieved March 27, 2021.
- ^ Kemp, Luke (7 December 2020). "Chronos: Before the Ashes review". PC Gamer. Retrieved 2 October 2021.
- ^ Pearce, Alanah (14 April 2016). "Chronos Review". IGN. Retrieved 2 October 2021.
- ^ Rairdin, John (8 December 2020). "Chronos: Before the Ashes (Switch) Review". . Retrieved 2 October 2021.
- ^ Whitaker, Jed (March 22, 2016). "Chronos looks like the gritty Legend of Zelda we have been waiting for". Destructoid. Retrieved March 5, 2020.
- ^ Donlan, Christian (April 29, 2016). "Chronos VR: a single-player game that makes you feel like you're two people". Eurogamer. Retrieved March 3, 2020.
- ^ Robertson, Adi (April 11, 2016). "Chronos is a VR game about stress, skill, and the weirdness of fiction". The Verge. Retrieved March 5, 2020.
- ^ Barett, Ben (March 29, 2016). "Chronos is the proof you needed that traditional games work in VR". PCGamesN. Retrieved March 5, 2020.
Official website[]
- 2016 video games
- Role-playing video games
- Video games developed in the United States
- Oculus Rift games
- Virtual reality games
- Windows games
- Nintendo Switch games
- PlayStation 4 games
- Stadia games
- Xbox One games
- THQ Nordic games
- Soulslike video games
- Single-player video games