Software:Chronos (2016 video game)

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Chronos
Chronos game cover.jpg
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
ReleaseOriginal version
March 28, 2016
Before the Ashes
December 1, 2020[1]
Genre(s)Action role-playing
Mode(s)Single-player

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]

Gameplay

Chronos 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

The 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. The game was released for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch and Stadia on December 1, 2020.[1]

Reception

Reception
Aggregate score
AggregatorScore
MetacriticPC: 77/100[7]
NS: 67/100[8]
PC (Before the Ashes): 67/100[9]
PS4: 68/100[10]
XONE: 71/100[11]
Review scores
PublicationScore
IGN8/10[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

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 Yin-Poole, Wesley (September 10, 2020). "Chronos: Before the Ashes is the prequel to Remnant: From the Ashes". Eurogamer. https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2020-09-10-chronos-before-the-ashes-is-the-prequel-to-remnant-from-the-ashes. 
  2. Pearce, Alanah (May 3, 2017). "Chronos Review". IGN. https://www.ign.com/articles/2016/04/14/chronos-review. 
  3. McNamara, Andy (March 28, 2016). "Chronos: A Labyrinth With Many Layers". Game Informer. https://www.gameinformer.com/games/chronos/b/oculusrift/archive/2016/04/22/chronos-oculus-rift-review.aspx. Retrieved March 5, 2020. 
  4. Tach, Dave (June 11, 2015). "Chronos is coming to Oculus Rift from former Darksiders devs, with aging mechanic". Polygon. https://www.polygon.com/2015/6/11/8766995/chronos-oculus-rift-darksiders. 
  5. Webster, Andrew (June 11, 2015). "These are the first Oculus Rift games". The Verge. https://www.theverge.com/2015/6/11/8766703/oculus-rift-launch-games. 
  6. Calandra, Nick (February 1, 2016). "Gunfire Games' VR RPG 'Chronos' to Be Released in March". The Escapists. https://onlysp.escapistmagazine.com/gunfire-games-vr-rpg-chronos-released-march/. 
  7. 7.0 7.1 "Chronos for PC Reviews". Red Ventures. https://www.metacritic.com/game/chronos/critic-reviews/?platform=pc. 
  8. "Chronos: Before the Ashes for Switch Reviews". Red Ventures. https://www.metacritic.com/game/chronos-before-the-ashes/critic-reviews/?platform=nintendo-switch. 
  9. "Chronos: Before the Ashes for PC Reviews". Red Ventures. https://www.metacritic.com/game/chronos-before-the-ashes/critic-reviews/?platform=pc. 
  10. "Chronos: Before the Ashes for PlayStation 4 Reviews". Red Ventures. https://www.metacritic.com/game/chronos-before-the-ashes/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-4. 
  11. "Chronos: Before the Ashes for Xbox One Reviews". Red Ventures. https://www.metacritic.com/game/chronos-before-the-ashes/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-one. 
  12. Kemp, Luke (December 7, 2020). "Chronos: Before the Ashes review". https://www.pcgamer.com/chronos-before-the-ashes-review/. 
  13. Pearce, Alanah (April 14, 2016). "Chronos Review". https://www.ign.com/articles/2016/04/14/chronos-review. 
  14. Rairdin, John (December 8, 2020). "Chronos: Before the Ashes (Switch) Review". http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/review/55731/chronos-before-the-ashes-switch-review. 
  15. Whitaker, Jed (March 22, 2016). "Chronos looks like the gritty Legend of Zelda we have been waiting for". Destructoid. https://www.destructoid.com/chronos-looks-like-the-gritty-legend-of-zelda-we-have-been-waiting-for-350364.phtml. 
  16. Donlan, Christian (April 29, 2016). "Chronos VR: a single-player game that makes you feel like you're two people". Eurogamer. https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2016-04-29-chronos-vr-a-single-player-game-that-makes-you-feel-like-youre-two-people. 
  17. Robertson, Adi (April 11, 2016). "Chronos is a VR game about stress, skill, and the weirdness of fiction". The Verge. https://www.theverge.com/2016/4/11/11408802/chronos-oculus-rift-virtual-reality-game-review. 
  18. Barett, Ben (March 29, 2016). "Chronos is the proof you needed that traditional games work in VR". PCGamesN. https://www.pcgamesn.com/chronos/chronos-is-the-proof-you-needed-that-traditional-games-work-in-vr. 

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