Hellraiser: Revival has just been announced, marking the first time that the iconic horror franchise has received its own standalone game adaptation. Of course, this isn't the first time that Hellraiser has been part of a video game. The franchise's crossover with Dead by Daylight was one of the game's most popular, but after the latter removed its Hellraiser content back in April, the gaming world has been void of Pinhead. Thankfully, Hellraiser: Revival is looking to change that.
The announcement of Hellraiser: Revival makes its sudden departure from Dead by Daylight make a lot more sense. Developed by Saber Interactive and Boss Team Games, Hellraiser: Revival follows protagonist Aidan who is on a desperate search for his girlfriend through the pits of hell after opening the Genesis Configuration puzzle box. Based on the short trailer, the visuals of Hellraiser: Revival are already promising a gruesome, hardcore time, but what's even more exciting is that the game is going to be a first-person survival horror title.
Hellraiser: Revival Looks to be a Perfect Game for 80s Horror Fans
Saber Interactive and Boss Team Games' upcoming Hellraiser: Revival may be the survival horror game 80s horror fans have been waiting for.
Hellraiser: Revival is Breaking Free of Horror Adaptations' Asymmetrical Shackles
Living in the Shadow of Dead by Daylight
Dead by Daylight has been going strong for nearly a decade now. As the king of the asymmetrical horror genre, many other titles have tried, and failed, to capture the same attention. Of course, Hellraiser was once part of that ecosystem, but there have been other adaptations of iconic horror franchises that have attempted to stake a claim in the asymmetrical landscape, only to have support discontinued or even shut down.
- Killer Klowns from Outer Space - 2024
- The Texas Chain Saw Massacre - 2023
- Evil Dead: The Game - 2022
- Ghostbusters: Spirits Unleashed - 2022
- Predator: Hunting Grounds - 2020
- Friday the 13th: The Game - 2017
Some of these games listed above are definitely still playable, but they aren't exactly thriving, especially when comparing the lineup to Dead by Daylight. Unfortunately, the asymmetrical horror genre is just really hard to break into, especially after the initial trend has died down since Dead by Daylight's 2016 launch. It's like when battle royale games try to compete with Fortnite. There's always going to be one title that sticks out far above the rest of the crowd, making it difficult for the others to compete long-term. Dead by Daylight has the benefit of being an original brand, so it can thrive on both original content and crossovers, giving it a significant amount of extra longevity.
Hellraiser: Revival will launch for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.
An asymmetrical horror game based around one IP makes it static. There isn't much room for major crossovers, and keeping everything confined to one franchise universe means that the well of content will eventually dry up, and sometimes it dries up incredibly fast. Beloved horror movies don't always translate into a strong game, but Hellraiser could definitely thrive as a story-focused survival horror experience.
Doug Bradley will be reprising the role of Pinhead for the first time in almost 20 years.
Asymmetrical Horror Franchise Adaptations Overshadow What Makes Them So Special
When it comes to iconic horror series like Halloween, Friday the 13th, Evil Dead, and The Texas Chains Saw Massacre, one reason these franchises have become so beloved is for their stories and lore. This definitely applies to Hellraiser. Since the first movie premiered in 1987, the franchise has lived on through a long list of sequels and a recent reboot. Pinhead is a spine-chilling villain, and Hellraiser: Revival making way for a new chapter is compelling.
The asymmetrical formula can take the spark out of these established franchises. While it works for Dead by Daylight, it just doesn't bring the intensity that adaptations such as these need for full-blown licensed games. Clive Barker's unrelenting universe makes Hellraiser a truly unique IP, and a first-person survival approach may be the key to giving horror franchise adaptations a second chance.
