Clive Barker is one of the greatest horror authors of all time. The Hellbound Heart is sat next to me in the bookcase to my left, and I can’t even tell you in enough words just how much I adore 1987’s Hellraiser. There’s something about the world he created that utterly fascinates me. While it might not be as popular as other classics, it is by far the most layered and smartest stories I’ve ever had the pleasure of experiencing. With Clive Barker’s Hellraiser: Revival, those feelings I had reading the books and watching the films (most of them anyway) has returned in a big way.
I have always been fascinated with how horror isn’t always about fear or being scared of what you see, it’s about how it makes you feel. The very concept of Hellraiser makes you look into yourself and consider your own vices and urges, and whether if you were presented with the same opportunities, just how far would you go to feel ultimate joy and pleasure at the cost of unimaginable pain? Maybe I’m thinking too deeply about it, but what Revival does so well is recreate the same feeling of the movie beautifully. It’s clear the developers are huge lovers of the source material.
From bringing Doug Bradley back as the leader of the Cenobites to a score inspired by Christopher Young’s dark orchestral masterpiece, Hellraiser is beyond back. The story itself might not be wholly original or too dissimilar from what’s come before, but being in control of the protagonist makes it feel more intimate. Aiden Lynch is pushed to the absolute limit after his girlfriend disappears after using the Genesis Configuration right in front of him, as chains rip her skin apart, triggering the beginnings of Lynch’s journey through literal and figurative hell.
Clive Barker’s Hellraiser: Revival pulls no punches. If you’re familiar with his work, you’ll know that it is gruesome, violent, and explicit. After being kidnapped by a sex cult obsessed with the Cenobites, you encounter some of the most messed up shit you’ve ever seen in a horror game. It’s pure Hellraiser. Mutilated bodies sewn together and rearranged, rave orgies surrounded by naked bodies and a plethora of sex toys, gore, pain, pleasure, and lust. It will likely shock some people, but in the best way imaginable. It’s not simply there to shock, but to help you understand what Hellraiser is all about.
When it comes to the gameplay, Clive Barker’s Hellraiser: Revival has its moments. There are some clever puzzles that require you to find keys or items to slot into locks and statues. Combat can be a little tricky, especially in melee because movement – dodging specifically – is clunky. You’ll get your hand on a fair few guns, though, making it much easier to kill both cult members and monsters alike. The coolest thing about combat is when you get to use the Genesis Configuration to fire blades and fire at enemies through telekinesis.
On occasion, you’ll be sent into the labyrinth where the Cenobites reside. Tunnels and chambers covered in chains and blood. Hulking monoliths surrounded by fog, fiery pits and narrow walkways, and terrifying sounds that leave you feeling completely vulnerable. When you first get chased by the infamous teeth-chattering Cenobite, it’s terrifying, however, after failing to find the right path or having to run away from him again and again, it looses its edge and becomes frustrating. Still, it’s cool to see, and the environment is designed with acute accuracy to the movies.
There were a few times where I got overwhelmed by enemies and it got more than frustrating. There’s a scene in a cabin where you face waves of zombie-like enemies. There’s limited resources apart from various saw pieces and hooks you can use your telekinesis with, and a fuel canister that will burn them up. You board windows up to slow them down, but they keep coming. It feels impossible until you realise it won’t be forever and a cutscene will trigger to take you away from the combat hell you find yourself in.
What continuously blew me away was the level of detail in this world. Both in the real world, be it the elegant mansions, rotten underbelly of the cult’s hideout, or the Cenobite’s labyrinth, Saber has built an incredible-looking game. They clearly love Hellraiser, and being able to wander through the different locations and get to experience Doug Bradley’s stunning performance again felt magical. I’ll never forget the first time I watched the original movie, and I’ll never forget the first time I played Clive Barker’s Hellraiser: Revival.
As a horror game, there are other titles that do it better. Sometimes, Clive Barker’s Hellraiser: Revival can be awkward with movement and combat isn’t always satisfying. However, it is incredibly faithful to the Hellraiser series and fans are going to lose their minds at just how good a job Saber Interactive has done with what has come before, creating a new experience that perfectly recreates those same themes and feelings. That’s not to say I didn’t enjoy playing. I thought the puzzles were tons of fun, and combat is another plus when you’re not overwhelmed by a ton of enemies.
