The 1980s were prime time to be a horror film fan. The decade was filled with many iconic horrifying films and characters, such asFriday the 13th,A Nightmare on Elm Street,Halloween,The Evil Dead,The Thing, andHellraiser. Over the following decades, many of these horror film franchises would receive several sequels and be expanded upon in books, comics, and video games of varying quality and success. WhileFriday the 13th,The Evil Dead, andThe Thinghad previously received cult classic game adaptations or sequels,Hellraisernever gained a video game adaptation of its own – until Saber Interactive and Boss Team Games announced the development ofHellraiser: Revivalin July 2025.
Hellraiser: Revival’s Development and Direction Explained
Despite the original fourHellraiserfilms grossing over $47 million and receiving favorable reviews,Hellraiserstruggled to gain a foothold in the 21st century both in its direct-to-video and digital sequels and its expanded material.Hellraiseris still popular today, with the CenobitesPinhead and Chatterer appearing inDead by Daylightin 2021, but allHellraisercontent was later removed by Behaviour Interactive in April 2025 due to licensing issues.
However, nearly 40 years after theHellraiserfranchise began, Pinhead fans will finally be able to play a dedicatedHellraiservideo game soon withHellraiser: Revival. Based primarily on1987’sHellraiserand 1988’sHellbound: Hellraiser 2,Hellraiser: Revivalis a single-player, first-person survival horror game intended for PS5, Xbox, and PC platforms.
WhileHellraiser: Revivalis being developed by Saber Interactive and Boss Team Games, the title was additionally overseen byHellraiser’s original creator, Clive Barker. According to Barker, working onRevivalhas been a “… venture deep into the recesses of my darkest imaginings.” Barker went on to explain that the game will balance “on the brink of nightmare and revelation” with its tense gameplay and a new story centered around the twisted depths of pain and pleasure. On top of Barker returning to work onRevival, Pinhead’s original actor, Doug Bradley, additionally returned to reprise his breakout terrifying role 38 years after the originalHellraiserfilm released.
Hellraiser: Revival’s Horrifying Story and Gameplay
InHellraiser: Revival, players will embody Aidan, a young man who must use the dark powers of the Genesis Configuration to travel to the Labyrinth, seen inHellbound: Hellraiser 2, and rescue his girlfriend Sunny from unholy beings of pain and pleasure. It’s currently unknown what makes the Genesis Configuration different from the traditional Lament Configuration puzzle box, butHellraiser: Revivaltrailer suggests that Sunny used the Genesis Configuration to inadvertently summon the Cenobites and take her away. According to Saber Interactive, players will be able to use the Genesis Configuration to help fight off the Labyrinth’s many wretches, deviants, cultists, andinfernal Cenobites priestssuch as Butterball, Chatterer and Open/Deep Throat.
One screenshot ofHellraiser: Revivalappears to show Aidan using the Genesis Configuration to solve a type of puzzle, which is appropriate given that the Configurations are puzzle boxes. In one instance in the trailer, it appears Aidan uses the Genesis Configuration to deploy razor wire around a wretch’s head and subsequently decapitates it with the box. Besides the Configuration, Aidan will additionally be able to use pistols, spiked baseball bats, and knives to fight unholy foes. Aidan may not always be alone in his quest to save Sunny from the Cenobites, as onescreenshot ofHellraiser: Revivalappears to show Aidan working alongside police to face a horde of wretches.
The Potential 80s Horror Allure of Hellraiser: Revival
Survival horror video games have seen a resurgence in recent years thanks toResident EvilandSilent Hillremakes, but most modern survival horror games are not based directly on any celebrated horror film franchise, besides multiplayer-oriented titles such asSumo Nottingham’sThe Texas Chain Saw Massacre.Hellraiserhas always been known for being especially grotesque yet alluring with its celebrated special effects, costume design, and props, making it a perfect fit among other survival horror games such asOutlastandDead Space. While theHellraiserfranchise may have dipped in value and fan appeal in the 21st century,Hellraiser: Revivalmay be the boost the franchise needed to bring 1980s horror fans back into Pinhead’s grasp.
Saber Interactive has not confirmed a release date forHellraiser: Revivalyet, but it noted that fans won’t have to wait too long to play it. The game can already be pre-ordered online.
