Clive Barker's Hellraiser: Revival Hands-On: A Brutal First-Person Horror

After decades of hit-or-miss adaptations, the Hellraiser franchise might finally have a game that leans into its gruesome roots. During Summer Game Fest, I spent an hour with Clive Barker's Hellraiser: Revival, and to my surprise, developer Saber Interactive has delivered a gritty, visceral experience that captures the sadomasochistic tone of Barker's original 1986 novella, The Hellbound Heart.

In Revival, you play as Aidan, a man desperate to rescue his girlfriend, Sunny, from the clutches of Pinhead and the Cenobites. The narrative is framed through a dark, desperate lens; both characters are established as struggling with substance abuse and a volatile relationship, setting a somber stage for the horrors to come. While the game features typical first-person shooter mechanics—scavenging for ammo, using melee weapons, and fighting through cult members in an underground S&M club—it is the inclusion of the "Genesis Configuration" that adds a layer of depth to the gameplay.

The Genesis Configuration and Environmental Horror

The Genesis Configuration is a unique puzzle box weapon held in Aidan’s left hand. It allows players to manipulate the environment, sapping energy from surroundings to set enemies ablaze or, in more surreal sections of the game, twisting room geometry to create pathways. These mechanics shine during the game's shift into the Cenobites' dimension, a cold, liminal space inspired by the disorienting puzzle rooms of P.T.

The transition into this Hell-space involves navigating a looping house that triggers fragmented flashback cutscenes. It’s here that the game’s atmosphere is at its strongest. The environment is filled with whirling torture devices and impossible architecture, moving away from standard shooter tropes to focus on the psychological and physical dread the franchise is known for.

A Faithful Dive into Hell

Saber Interactive isn't pulling punches. The game is packed with the blood, gore, and flesh-rending imagery fans expect. The developers noted they were somewhat surprised the game landed an M-rating rather than something more restrictive, and a "red band" trailer has already promised nudity and graphic violence. With Doug Bradley reprising his iconic role as Pinhead, the game feels like a genuine attempt to respect the source material.

For a franchise that has been underserved by gaming adaptations for 40 years, Clive Barker's Hellraiser: Revival is shaping up to be an unexpected highlight of the year. Whether you are looking for a tight, cinematic shooter or are simply a fan of the mythos, the game’s commitment to the source material makes it one to watch when it launches on October 8 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and PC.