Chronos is a 2016 action 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]
| Chronos | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Developer(s) | Gunfire Games |
| Publisher(s) | Gunfire Games (original version) THQ Nordic (Before the Ashes) |
| Director(s) | David Adams |
| Designer(s) | Nicolas Fikac Marcus Luna DeLeon Richard Vorodi |
| 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) | Action role-playing |
| Mode(s) | Single-player |
Gameplay
editChronos is an action 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
editThe game was the first title released by Gunfire Games, which was co-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 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
edit| 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 |
|---|---|
| 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 and Dark Souls series.[15][16] Some critics noted that gameplay-wise, the game was traditional but the incorporation of VR elevated the experience.[17][18]
References
edit- ^ a b c Yin-Poole, Wesley (September 10, 2020). "Chronos: Before the Ashes is the prequel to Remnant: From the Ashes". Eurogamer. Archived from the original on September 10, 2020. Retrieved September 12, 2020.
- ^ Pearce, Alanah (May 3, 2017). "Chronos Review". IGN. Archived from the original on September 25, 2019. Retrieved March 5, 2020.
- ^ McNamara, Andy (March 28, 2016). "Chronos: A Labyrinth With Many Layers". Game Informer. Archived from the original on July 7, 2020. Retrieved March 5, 2020.
- ^ Tach, Dave (June 11, 2015). "Chronos is coming to Oculus Rift from former Darksiders devs, with aging mechanic". Polygon. Archived from the original on August 14, 2019. Retrieved March 5, 2020.
- ^ Webster, Andrew (June 11, 2015). "These are the first Oculus Rift games". The Verge. Archived from the original on July 18, 2020. Retrieved March 5, 2020.
- ^ Calandra, Nick (February 1, 2016). "Gunfire Games' VR RPG 'Chronos' to Be Released in March". The Escapists. Archived from the original on November 28, 2021. Retrieved March 5, 2020.
- ^ a b "Chronos for PC Reviews". Metacritic. Red Ventures. Archived from the original on January 13, 2021. Retrieved March 27, 2021.
- ^ "Chronos: Before the Ashes for Switch Reviews". Metacritic. Red Ventures. Archived from the original on May 3, 2021. Retrieved March 27, 2021.
- ^ "Chronos: Before the Ashes for PC Reviews". Metacritic. Red Ventures. Archived from the original on May 11, 2021. Retrieved March 27, 2021.
- ^ "Chronos: Before the Ashes for PlayStation 4 Reviews". Metacritic. Red Ventures. Archived from the original on February 28, 2021. Retrieved March 27, 2021.
- ^ "Chronos: Before the Ashes for Xbox One Reviews". Metacritic. Red Ventures. Archived from the original on February 27, 2021. Retrieved March 27, 2021.
- ^ Kemp, Luke (December 7, 2020). "Chronos: Before the Ashes review". PC Gamer. Archived from the original on November 27, 2021. Retrieved October 2, 2021.
- ^ Pearce, Alanah (April 14, 2016). "Chronos Review". IGN. Archived from the original on December 1, 2021. Retrieved October 2, 2021.
- ^ Rairdin, John (December 8, 2020). "Chronos: Before the Ashes (Switch) Review". Nintendo World Report. Archived from the original on October 2, 2021. Retrieved October 2, 2021.
- ^ Whitaker, Jed (March 22, 2016). "Chronos looks like the gritty Legend of Zelda we have been waiting for". Destructoid. Archived from the original on November 8, 2020. 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. Archived from the original on February 26, 2021. Retrieved March 3, 2020.
- ^ Robertson, Adi (April 11, 2016). "Chronos is a VR game about stress, skill, and the weirdness of fiction". The Verge. Archived from the original on August 14, 2019. Retrieved March 5, 2020.
- ^ Barett, Ben (March 29, 2016). "Chronos is the proof you needed that traditional games work in VR". PCGamesN. Archived from the original on August 14, 2019. Retrieved March 5, 2020.