Clive Barker’s Hellraiser: Revival Review

I have always wondered what the Hellraiser franchise by Clive Barker looks like in video games. It is a horror and disturbing world, which fits perfectly for a terrifying survival horror video game. Well, I am glad that Saber Interactive brought this idea to life and made Clive Barker’s Hellraiser: Revival. What fascinates me more is that the Devs wrote the game’s story in collaboration with the franchise’s creator, Clive Barker. As the initial look of the game looks very promising, we decided to give it a try. Here is our review of Clive Barker’s Hellraiser: Revival, developed and published by Saber Interactive.

NOTE: The product key was provided by the Publishers for review purposes.

Story & World

You play as Aidan Lynch, a medical-school dropout and biker. He gets entangled with the Cenobites after his girlfriend, Sunny, is mutilated and taken into the Labyrinth. Sunny happens to collect the Genesis Configuration, a Puzzle Box that opens the gateway to the Cenobite realm. As Aidan pursues her by wielding the box’s powers, he gets to encounter the franchise’s infamous antagonists, including Scarlet Church, Unworthy, Cenobites, and Pinhead.

The world and atmosphere in Clive Barker’s Hellraiser: Revival are very promising and immersive. You get to experience the signature blend of grotesque beauty, sensual horror, and cosmic dread while you face the lively environments.

Gameplay

Clive Barker’s Hellraiser: Revival is a first-person, single-player, survival horror adventure. Its complete experience is built around resource management, stealth, creepy environments, and the supernatural powers of Genesis Configuration. It offers melee and firearm combat, similar to other titles of this genre, alongside puzzles, stealth, and Cenobite abilities. If I have to describe the overall gameplay experience of Clive Barker’s Hellraiser: Revival, I would say that it is atmospheric, tense, and somewhat repetitive.

There are two different types of melee weapons to use, each with its own use. The blunt melee weapons are better against armored enemies, while the sharp melee weapons are better against unarmored foes. All melee weapons have durability, so engaging in combat frequently lets you lose weapons quickly. Firearms are viable options, but they require ammunition, a scarce resource. Resource management plays a significant role for survival. Bandages, ammunition, and durability force you to tread carefully.

However, fighting is not always an option in Hellraiser: Revival. There are some invincible enemies that you cannot defeat. In such cases, you must approach stealthily. Beyond standard combat and stealth, the Genesis Configuration has supernatural powers. You can perform fire attacks, object manipulation, and summon Hell Chains. All of these powers are fuelled by a suffering resource that is obtained from enemies.

Last but not least, the progression is tied to solving numerous puzzles. Throughout the campaign chapters, you have to solve various environmental puzzles. Overall, the gameplay is good, but again, it can feel repetitive.

Audio and Visuals

The sound design is good and feels atmospheric, especially with all the rattling chains, flesh tears, and groans. It amplifies the overall horror and makes encounters uneasy. Although the overall texture quality feels outdated, the atmosphere of the game is what makes it a nightmarish experience. The lighting is great, with dim corridors, and the grotesque imagery justifies the whole Clive Barker’s Hellraiser experience in the gaming world.

Verdict – Score 8/10

Clive Barker’s Hellraiser: Revival is a great survival horror action video game that fully adapts the Hellraiser franchise. For the fans of Barker, this is the best and most faithful adaptation that you can find. If you are a casual gamer who loves survival horror, then it is a solid choice for your next adventure. It tells a compelling story with great atmosphere. However, the combat is not some of the best that you have already experienced in other horror titles. It feels less polished and can feel repetitive, but other than that, the whole adventure is something worth checking out.

Clive Barker’s Hellraiser: Revival is now available on PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch 2.