Hellraiser game preview: Saber Interactive's first-person horror shooter shows promise with unique Cenobite-summoning mechanics
By
Michael McWhertor
Slow-proofed and worth the wait. Worth its weight in flour.
Summary
Saber Interactive's upcoming Hellraiser game, titled "Hellraiser," is a first-person horror shooter that blends elements of BioShock with Clive Barker's sadomasochistic horror universe. The game features a unique "Lament Configuration" puzzle box mechanic that allows players to summon and control Cenobites, explore the labyrinthine hellscape of Leviathan, and use both firearms and supernatural abilities. The preview highlights the game's faithful adaptation of Barker's visual style, its atmospheric world-building, and a combat system that encourages creative use of the puzzle box to turn enemies into allies. While the demo shows promise with its unique mechanics and faithful aesthetic, the author notes some concerns about enemy variety and pacing, but overall considers it potentially the first genuinely good Hellraiser game.
Key quotes
· 3 pulledThe Lament Configuration is the star of the show, and it's used in a way that feels genuinely fresh and interesting.
It's a bold, bloody, and surprisingly thoughtful take on the source material that feels like it was made by people who actually understand what makes Barker's work tick.
The game's greatest strength is its atmosphere. From the moment you step into the labyrinth, you're enveloped in a world that feels ripped straight from Barker's imagination.
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