Even considering its back catalogue, Bloober Team’s Onyx: The Dark Grip is certainly out there. While the story is about a human named Holden, who explores a less-than-friendly frozen town, you also control a higher power who intervenes when there isn’t too much risk of driving the former insane.
But even with how different this is compared to the sci-fi body horror of Cronos: The New Dawn or the psychological horror of Silent Hill 2 remake, the team is sticking close to its Polish roots. And more than the setting and atmosphere, that means collaborating with composer Jan Borysewicz, best known for his work with Lady Pank.
If those beginning chords evoke more tension and empathy than straight-up horror, that’s exactly the approach he’s going for. “I didn’t approach this game as a pure horror title. My focus was more on evoking a sense of unease through the music, but paired with elements of hope.”
The result is a score that he believes would feel “right at home in a feature film.” Of course, Bloober Team CEO Piotr Babieno feels this collaboration came at the right time, since he was a fan of Borysewicz’s music growing up. With how the studio has been hitting it out of the park with its music – remember Akira Yamaoka working on The Medium and Silent Hill 2 remake – this should be another fine addition to the collection.
Onyx: The Dark Grip launches in 2027, and unlike the studio’s previous efforts, it’s exclusive to the Nintendo Switch 2.
