Hellraiser Revival is Almost Upon Us – An In-Depth Review on the Bloodiest Game of the Year
Hellraiser Revival is scheduled to release later this year, and we got to see a sneak peek at gameplay during the HANDS-ON Preview at Gamescom last August. Saber Interactive is heading this film to game adaptation, and with the release happening really soon, we should look at what Saber Interactive has in store for fans of the classic film series, and what we know about the development of Hellraiser Revival so far.
Hellraiser Revival is the Hellraiser We Envisioned for the Series
For anyone new to the series, Hellraiser is a classic horror film about a mystical puzzle box that, once solved, summons beings called Cenobites who drag the solver of the puzzle box to hell. In the film, hell is depicted as a sadistic dimension that pushes the boundaries of pain and pleasure, torturing its victims in the most gruesome ways possible. The film earned its place as a horror cult classic that changed the horror genre and cultivated a dedicated fanbase.
The first film was an instant hit. After its release, a sequel was immediately greenlit, which also had a good reception with audiences, and the success of both the first Hellraiser and its sequel spawned 8 more movies within the series. Now, usually this would amount to expansions of lore and a successful series; however, with each film the quality gradually lessened, until the franchise recieved a pretty bad reputation in the horror genre.
That was until the announcement of Hellraiser Revival, the first horror game based on the film franchise. Hellraiser Revival is an original story where we, as the main character, will actually get to explore this hellish dimension, witness all the gore that was shown in the films, and experience the delicate balance of pleasure and pain on a most uncomfortable level, one that shows the depravity of the Hellraiser series. Here’s what game director Emil Esov has to say about what we will experience in the game:
“twisted, imperfect abominations, unworthy of the labyrinth [the Cenobite’s realm], subjected to extreme pain in their transformation”
“sometimes it will appear that they are enjoying the pain,”
“As the player, you will be able to confront most enemies, kill them, maim them, cut off their body parts, and really hurt them in some discomforting ways”.
“The player will get to use it inside and outside of the labyrinth in multiple ways, most of them pretty visceral and gruesome”
Clive Barker’s Involvement in Development
The fact that Clive Barker, the author of the novel, The Hellbound Heart, which is also what the film is based on, has been heavily involved in the project, just as heavily as he was involved in the production of the 1987 film. The prospect of having Barker on board for the game’s development has excited fans even more, giving us a sense of assurance for the game. His input is extremely valuable, as it was a large part of why the first film was so successful. Esov touches upon Barker’s involvement and what it’s been like:
“Clive was instrumental in our initial ideation of the story, then after the first year switched into an active advisory capacity”
“Clive knows Hellraiser better than anyone and is, of course, a world-class storyteller, but he isn’t a gamer. Once we had the spirit of the story, he empowered us to make the idea into something you play. At that point, he began reviewing gameplay and narrative scripts periodically, giving feedback and keeping us true to Hellraiser’s soul.”
“Probably one of the most encouraging things in development was Doug’s excitement about what we are doing with his character,”
“He was loving it, and he also shared plenty of tips about getting Pinhead’s portrayal right.”
Saber Interactive has yet to announce a release date for Hellraiser Revival; however, it is expected to release later this year. With the release almost upon us, fans are excited to see more updates from Saber Interactive and what sights they’ll show us once the game launches.
