In the horror game Crisol: Theater of Idols, players confront profound sacrifices for a nation's greater good. Developed by Vermila Studios and published by Blumhouse Games, it follows Gabriel, a sanctified soldier on a haunted Spanish island where statues of deities come to life. Players must use their own blood as ammunition to survive.
In an interview, CEO David Carrasco explained the game's origin from a vision during Spain's Holy Week, imagining if the procession statues came alive. A core intention was to honor Spanish culture respectfully, not mock it, while creating a unique horror experience.
Carrasco highlighted key challenges, including maintaining artistic consistency across Spain's diverse references and keeping the team motivated over five years of development. He also discussed the struggle to find a publisher willing to embrace the authentic Spanish setting, ultimately partnering with Blumhouse, which respected their vision.
The developer cited major inspirations like Resident Evil, Silent Hill, and 1980s horror films, aiming for a balance of tension and occasional levity. Carrasco also teased future ideas for characters like Mediodía, hoping to explore them further.