Saber Interactive and Boss Team Games have been actively promoting their upcoming title, Hellraiser: Revival, since its announcement last year. Each new trailer and developer diary has progressively revealed more about the game.

On March 11th, Saber released a new six-minute developer diary that provides significant insights. The video features Doug Bradley, the actor known for portraying Pinhead, who reprises his role as the iconic leader of the Cenobites. Additionally, we hear directly from the developers at Boss Team Games. For those who want to dive deeper, the video is available to watch, complete with its trademark gore and mature themes.

Bradley reflects on his extensive career as Pinhead, recounting how his journey began over 30 years ago. While he emphasizes that the initial expectations for this video game adaptation leaned towards revisiting familiar moments from the franchise, he acknowledges there are unexpected twists. The protagonist, Aidan, will find that his relationships with the Cenobites could unfold in unforeseen ways. While many plot elements remain under wraps, it seems Aidan will navigate a distinctly different dynamic than fans might anticipate.

Antony de Fault, the narrative director for Hellraiser: Revival, emphasizes the importance of having a focused narrative, despite the wealth of lore surrounding the franchise. Although there may be nods to various aspects of the Hellraiser universe, the game primarily draws inspiration from Clive Barker’s original novella, The Hellbound Heart, and the first two films, which have had the most emotional impact on audiences.

In terms of gameplay, previous glimpses have shown Aidan stealthily avoiding perilous situations and escaping from terrifying foes, including the Cenobites. The developers have teased brutal melee combat, dramatic finishing moves, and abilities gained through an item called the Genesis Configuration. While they haven’t revealed all functionalities yet, the potential for both torment and destruction it holds is significant, prompting curiosity about how it will compare to more conventional weapons like firearms, which have yet to be showcased in action.

The remainder of the preview reveals details that may spoil the experience for some. If you’ve made it this far without watching the developer diary, you may want to check it out first to enjoy the game’s surprises when Hellraiser: Revival is released later this year on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.