Clive Barker's Hellraiser: Revival
"Its hellish vision is worth the pain of its combat."
About
Set roughly two decades after the original films, this first-person horror game casts you as someone who has made a bargain with the Cenobites. You must navigate a surreal and brutalist hellscape, solving environmental puzzles and surviving encounters with demonic forces. To do this, you wield the powers of the Genesis Configuration, a puzzle box that serves as both a tool and a weapon against Pinhead and his legions.
Verdict
Clive Barker's Hellraiser: Revival is a masterful translation of the source material's unique horror. It delivers a fantastically grim atmosphere and a story that respectfully explores themes of desire and pain, anchored by Doug Bradley's chilling return as Pinhead. While the game's first-person combat can feel clumsy and some players have run into frustrating bugs, these issues rarely manage to break the spell. For fans of visceral horror, this is a bargain worth making.
You'll like it if …
- +You are a fan of the Hellraiser films or Clive Barker's writing.
- +You prioritize a dense, disturbing atmosphere and story over fine-tuned combat.
- +You enjoy graphic, visceral horror experiences like Scorn or Lust from Beyond.
You'll dislike it if …
- −Clunky first-person melee combat is a deal-breaker for you.
- −You were expecting the fast-paced action game shown in the marketing trailers.
- −Repetitive stealth sections and simple chase sequences tend to bore you.
Breakdown
- +The Genesis Configuration puzzle box offers a unique set of powers for combat and interaction.
- +Combat can be brutal and visceral, with satisfyingly gruesome kills.
- +The survival horror loop is engaging for players who appreciate slower, atmospheric experiences.
- −First-person combat, particularly with melee weapons and guns, feels clunky and lacks impact.
- −Stealth mechanics are inconsistent and can be easily exploited.
- −Some sections rely on repetitive design and uninspired chase sequences.
- −The marketing trailer misrepresented the final game, suggesting a fast-paced shooter rather than a stealth-focused horror title.
- +Exploration is rewarded with well-written lore and environmental details.
- +Puzzles are straightforward and serve as a good change of pace without becoming frustrating.
- −The main campaign is relatively short with a disappointing conclusion.
- −A lack of meaningful replay value once the story is complete.
- +A fantastic story that is deeply faithful to the source material, Clive Barker's 'The Hellbound Heart'.
- +Expertly explores the franchise's core themes of desire, addiction, and co-dependency.
- +Characters are well-written and the plot is engaging, even for those new to the Hellraiser universe.
- +Superb environmental storytelling builds a cohesive and disturbing world.
- +The art direction perfectly captures the disgusting, visceral, and surreal aesthetic of Hellraiser.
- +Atmosphere is incredibly thick and genuinely unsettling, a masterclass in horror design.
- +Doug Bradley's return to voice Pinhead is a standout performance.
- +Sound design is gruesome and effective, enhancing the oppressive mood.
- −Some players report stuttering and frame drops, especially during chase scenes.
- +For many players, the game runs smoothly and is highly polished from launch.
- +Performs well on the Steam Deck, offering a stable experience for handheld players.
- −A notable number of players encountered severe bugs, including game-breaking softlocks where the character falls through the map.
- −Minor glitches like enemies clipping through floors and texture pop-in are present.
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