By Javier Picazo Feliú
Madrid, Feb 21 (EFE).- Drawing inspiration from classic survival horror and the dark imagery of Spanish religious folklore, “Crisol: Theater of Idols” has emerged as one of the biggest surprises of this year’s video game releases.
The debut title from Madrid-based Vermila Studios pushes creative boundaries with a haunting blend of art, action, and narrative set in a nightmarish world.
The game drops players onto a disturbing island where they must unravel the mystery behind a universe steeped in sinister rituals and unsettling iconography.
Played from a first-person perspective, the action-horror title stands out for its striking art direction, in both characters and environments, and for a story that is as layered as it is intense.
“We’re receiving excellent reviews. Thousands of players are sharing their impressions, and the response has been very rewarding,” David Carrasco, CEO of Vermila Studios, told EFE.
“Our goal was to create a game with production values slightly above the Spanish average and to offer our own interpretation of Spanish folklore through a captivating story that lasts more than ten hours.”
Priced at under 20 euros, well below the standard 70-euro tag of many major releases, the game has quickly earned praise from specialized media.
On the US-based review aggregator Metacritic, it currently holds a user score of 86 out of 100.
Among its strongest features are its detailed and imaginative visual design, a terrifying reinterpretation of Spanish religious iconography, immersive exploration filled with surprises, high-tension combat against grotesque enemies, and a level of difficulty that challenges players from the outset.
“We drew inspiration from monuments and locations across Spain, combining multiple influences while maintaining strong artistic coherence,” Carrasco said.
“The protagonist uses his own blood as ammunition, sacrificing himself to survive. It’s a fusion of the classic horror of Resident Evil and the immersive universe of BioShock.”
The project arrives after five years of development by a 21-person team, nearly half of whom focused on art and environmental design.
With a budget between 4 and 5 million euros, the ambitious debut signals growing confidence within Spain’s gaming industry.
Its launch also underscores the strength of the Spanish video game sector, which has produced internationally successful titles such as “Luto,” “Blasphemous,” and “Blades of Fire.”
In Madrid alone, the industry generated more than 1.2 billion euros last year and employed over 6,000 specialized professionals.
“There are many small and large studios in Spain creating outstanding games, and that’s very positive,” Carrasco said. “Gradually, we will attract more investor interest. We still need a bit more support.”
Following the game’s release, the studio is considering additional downloadable content (DLC) or even a sequel.
“We would love to continue. The Crisol universe is vast and full of possibilities,” Carrasco concluded.
“This is our first title, perhaps we aimed very high, but we’re proud of what we’ve achieved. It can serve as a benchmark for what can be done in Spain.” EFE
jpf-sk
