The adaptation of popular horror films into video games has a history that stretches back further than most might think. During the 1980s, as the gaming industry was just taking off and the commercial impact of horror cinema was becoming undeniable, early licensed titles such as 1983’s Halloween on the Atari 2600 and 1990’s A Nightmare on Elm Street on the NES began to bridge the gap. While iconic horror franchises have recently seen significant game adaptations—including Friday the 13th, The Evil Dead, and The Texas Chain Saw Massacre—this profitable trend actually started from modest roots.
These contemporary titles share a specific trait: they are asymmetric multiplayer games inspired by the gameplay style established by 2016’s Dead by Daylight, where a team of four survivors attempts to evade a supernatural killer controlled by a fifth player. Although DbD and similar titles are successful, this formula has become a standard expectation for licensed horror games over the past ten years. This has resulted in a mechanical sameness across titles that might have otherwise provided unique, dedicated experiences. This is precisely why Saber Interactive’s forthcoming Hellraiser title feels so refreshing.
The first of two expected licensed projects from the studio—the other being the recently revealed John Wick game—Clive Barker’s Hellraiser: Revival is designed as a classic first-person survival horror experience. It aims to capture the intense combat, resource scavenging, and puzzle-solving elements found in genre staples like Resident Evil and Silent Hill, combined with the atmospheric immersion of Alien: Isolation.
Gamers will assume the role of Aidan Lynch, a member of a biker gang whose girlfriend is abducted to Hell by the leather-clad, sadomasochistic Cenobites. This forces Aidan to pursue them in a desperate bid to save her from Pinhead and the Scarlet Church. Although Doug Bradley, the longtime actor behind Pinhead, provided the voice for the character as DLC in Dead by Daylight, Revival marks the first full-fledged video game adaptation of the Hellraiser series. As a result, Saber collaborated directly with Barker on the narrative.
Based on the footage revealed thus far, it appears that Revival will pay homage to the elements that made the first two films beloved—the self-destructive sensuality, grotesque physical horror, and the sense of otherworldly mystery—while introducing fresh twists to the lore, such as a new puzzle box called the Genesis Configuration. The game not only appears to faithfully represent Clive Barker’s original vision, but its mechanics also seem custom-fit for the license. Players will face off against deranged S&M cultists and Eldritch horrors while navigating deadly, maze-like puzzles. Rather than feeling like a generic title that could belong to various franchises, the game feels distinctly crafted for its own terrifying and captivating setting.
Should Revival succeed, it will hopefully demonstrate to rights holders and developers that audiences for these legendary franchises are eager for adaptations that move away from the asymmetric multiplayer mold in favor of more narrative-focused experiences. Following a string of low-budget, straight-to-DVD sequels and a streaming reboot that received praise but may not see a sequel, it has been some time since the Hellraiser brand enjoyed a definitive triumph. Consequently, Saber Interactive represents the best opportunity for fans seeking some pleasure after enduring years of disappointment.