Clive Barker 'Proud as F**k' of Hellraiser: Revival's Extreme Content

Ever worried a horror game might pull its punches? Clive Barker certainly was. The Hellraiser creator admitted he feared Saber Interactive's upcoming game, Hellraiser: Revival, would be "overly censored." But after seeing the final product, he's anything but disappointed.

Speaking with Dread Central, Barker said, "I was fearful at one point that the game would be overly censored but I’m genuinely astonished by how far they’ve been able to push it." He didn't mince words about the result: "I’m proud as f**k at the end result." That's high praise from the man behind one of horror's most twisted franchises.

Unlike previous Hellraiser adaptations that leaned on asymmetrical multiplayer, Revival goes for a single-player survival experience set deep in the Hellraiser universe. Pinhead and his Cenobites are front and center, and the game earned a strict "M for Mature" rating for "blood and gore, intense violence, nudity, and strong sexual content." It's every bit as intense as fans hoped—maybe even more.

The brutality isn't just in the game. French YouTuber J0nathan reported their channel was permanently banned after uploading footage of Hellraiser: Revival. Even though they had covered up moments featuring nudity, the ban still came down—a testament to just how extreme the gameplay can get.

Barker's enthusiasm doesn't stop at Revival. He said he'd "love to have another go at it and explore" the Hellraiser universe further. "I think what was achieved in the game is a wake-up call to anyone who’s been involved in the making of a franchise like Hellraiser," he explained. "It says to get your ideas warmed over so you can go back into existing worlds in a brand new way. I have many ideas that I’d like to see realized in the Hellraiser universe, and I’m planning to keep my fingers in that pie."

Despite Barker's praise, critical reception has been mixed. IGN gave Hellraiser: Revival a 6/10, noting that while Pinhead looks the part, "little else in Hellraiser: Revival has been nailed to anywhere near the same extent." Still, the game's uncompromising vision might just pave the way for other horror franchises.

Will you be braving Hellraiser: Revival, or does it sound too intense even for you? Let us know in the comments!