Blumhouse’s gory tribute to BioShock is on the way!

Crisol: Theater of Idols is set to launch on February 10 for PlayStation 5, Windows PC, and Xbox Series X. Ahead of its release, a new chapter from this intriguing horror game has been showcased, revealing its unique blood-shooter concept.

First unveiled at Summer Game Fest 2024, Crisol: Theater of Idols marks the debut of Vermila Studios, a fresh development team based in Spain. The game transports players to a reimagined Hispania, where you step into the shoes of Gabriel, tasked with a mission from the Sun God.

During a hands-on session at Summer Game Fest 2025, I explored an early chapter of the game. Picking up shortly after the previous demo, I found myself in a dark, eerie train yard. It didn’t take long to encounter Crisol’s distinctive mechanic: blood bullets. To take down the terrifying creatures lurking in Hispania, Gabriel must sacrifice some of his own health to generate ammunition.

The demo introduced new weaponry for Gabriel, including a sniper rifle that he can reload by striking a thorn on the gun’s frame with his fist.

In addition to showcasing new firearms, the demo highlighted some classic horror gameplay elements. I navigated through an industrial scrapyard, manipulating water flow in pipes and searching for a valve to disable scalding steam barriers. Stealth was also crucial when I faced an unkillable monster that pursued me in certain areas, forcing me to hide in storage containers.

Despite its unconventional blood mechanic, Crisol is shaping up to be one of the more traditional offerings from Blumhouse Games, which has had a diverse start to its publishing journey. The first-person shooter elements evoke memories of BioShock, while the item puzzles hint at influences from Resident Evil. Combine that with Spanish folklore and a shooting system that turns your greatest asset into a liability, and you have a horror experience that feels both familiar and refreshingly original.

Crisol: Theater of Idols launches on February 10 for PlayStation 5, Windows PC, and Xbox Series X.