Following yesterday’s article, Confinio, a title from the Spanish studio Enthariel Games, today it’s time to talk about the work of another Spanish studio. In this case, it’s Vermila Studios, which, together with Blumhouse Games, released the first amazing trailer for Crisol: Theater of Idols, a new horror FPS that will be published this year for PS5, Xbox Series, and PC.
To start, we could mention its obvious graphical quality, which catches our attention from the very first moment, but perhaps the most original thing this proposal brings is a mechanic implemented in its gameplay, in which the ammo for our weapons directly drains our own blood. This adds a strategic factor to the frantic action, since at certain points we’ll have to choose wisely how and when to shoot, and make sure it’s worth it! Below you can watch the Official Reveal Trailer, brought to you by IGN:
A Nightmarish and Chaotic Version of Spain
In this adventure, we dive into a dark, chaotic, and terrifying version of Spain, renamed this time as “Hispania.” In this twisted vision of reality, Spanish history, religion, and folklore intertwine to create a disturbing atmosphere, full of decay, fanaticism, and supernatural elements. The main setting is the cursed island of Tormentosa, a place as beautiful as it is threatening, whose ruins evoke the glory of past times, and where evil now hides even in the smallest dark corner.
Our protagonist, Gabriel, is a soldier marked by a divine mission: to fulfill the will of the Sun God, a central figure among the deities of this sinister world. To carry out this task, he uses a mechanic that’s anything but conventional, using his own blood to charge and enhance his weapons and abilities, which literally turns his life into a basic offensive resource. Each shot or power he uses consumes his life, forcing us, the players, to decide when and how to use that resource, turning it into a dynamic of constant decisions.
Setting aside the combat aspect, Crisol: Theater of Idols won’t lack exploration and puzzles, since everything will have a place in this story, maintaining a balance aimed at keeping the player hooked from the very beginning. In fact, we could almost say its progression system demands that we explore every corner of Tormentosa in search of resources and relics. Obviously, along our path, we’ll face fanatical cultists, twisted rituals, and monstrous creatures, among which we’ll find, just to mention one, some staggering living statues that seem to have stepped out of a sacred nightmare.
Looking at its aesthetics, it’s easy to see influences from horror-tinged FPS icons like our beloved Bioshock (2007), as well as elements of the distinctive artistic style of Spanish developers. In this case, I’m referring to the great work Blasphemous (2019), and I know I haven’t been the first nor will I be the last to notice those similarities. What really caught my attention was the trailer’s soundtrack, with that very striking version of “Romance del Enamorado y la Muerte” (“Romance of the Lover and Death”), a song that, for those of us who are Spanish speakers and have lived a few years, we’ve undoubtedly heard performed by different artists several times in our lives. Without a doubt, masterful, and a version completely in tune with this work!
So…
Crisol: Theater of Idols is planned for release this year for PS5, Xbox Series, and PC through Steam. Although the exact release date and technical requirements are still unknown, you can visit its page, which you will obviously find just below, and add it to your Wishlist! And once you’ve done your homework, come back here and tell us what you thought of this tremendous and different idea. You know gamer, we’ll be reading you! 🙂
Info & Images Source: IGN Official YouTube Channel, Crisol: Theater of Idols on Steam, VANDAL
