- Image of Hellraiser, Courtesy of Saber Interactive

Gamescom 2025 Reveals Clive Barker’s Hellraiser During HANDS-ON Preview (It’s Disgustingly Beautiful)

Originally posted on Total Apex Gaming
By Nicole Azucena | Last updated Aug 28, 2025 7:07 AM ET

Gamescom just revealed the Hellraiser: Revival HANDS-ON Preview, and it is disgustingly beautiful. Sticking to the masterpiece of Clive Barker’s original film, the game will follow the film’s footprint, but expand the Hellraiser universe. During the HANDS-ON Preview, players got to experience the game, and it is exactly as we would expect from a Hellraiser game and more. Here’s a breakdown of the HANDS-ON Preview and what players are saying about this wonderfully unhinged gore fest.

Hellraiser HANDS-ON Preview At Gamescom

Saber Interactive is gifting a treat for all the sick individuals who have been waiting for a Hellraiser game to come out (myself included). If you didn’t know, Hellraiser is a 1987 horror film, based on the novel by Clive Barker, that explores the fine line between pleasure and pain, and what would happen if you were curious enough that you inexplicably open a portal to Hell. The film did an amazing job of depicting that horror without becoming an X-rated film, and now, Saber Interactive is pushing that boundary even further, and holy hell is it spectacular!

Players who got to experience the game at Gamescom have likened the game to Resident Evil, from the puzzles you play, to exploration, and even down to the combat. The most distinguishing factor is the weapon system, where weapons break over time, and certain tools or weapons are ineffective against certain enemies. The preview also featured gore that would make Saw fans squimish, and sex, because you can’t have a Hellraiser game without sex.

And as per Hellraiser fashion, the game will circle around the lament configuration, the mysterious puzzle box that is the key to opening the gates of Hell and summoning the Cenobites, the leather-clad demons who take you there. Saber Interactive has not commented on what the game will be rated, but they wanted to push the rating as far as it will go, with all the sex scenes, nudity, and gore.

Player’s Reactions

Image of Hellraiser, Courtesy of Saber Interactive

The reactions to the HANDS-ON Preview at Gamescom is much of what you would expect. Being thrust into the game, starting with a porn scene, we are introduced to the lament configuration. This leads to the main protagonist’s girlfriend being whisked away to Hell, and where our journey starts. As stated before, players have likened the game to Resident Evil, and players are loving it. People are raving about how horrifying the monsters are and how weirdly comical the NPCs stuck in Hell interact with the main character. The gore is so disgusting, players were given access to vomit bags if they got too sick playing… I love to see it!

Hellraiser is one of my favorite horror movie franchises, and I am sick to my stomach (in a good way) that it is getting its time to shine as a game. People will absolutely love the game once it releases and all it has to offer.

This article first appeared on Total Apex Gaming and was syndicated with permission.

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