If you’ve made your way to the eerie church in Cronos: The New Dawn, chances are you’ve come face to face with a locked door surrounded by stone statues. It’s one of the game’s most memorable puzzles — a mix of cryptic hints, environmental storytelling, and pure survival horror tension. While the engraving on the door gives you subtle clues, it’s easy to miss what it actually means. Let’s break down exactly how to solve this riddle and what to expect once the door swings open.
Understanding the Church Door Puzzle
The church area in Cronos: The New Dawn is a late-game location that challenges both your observation skills and your inventory management. The large wooden door you’ll find inside the ruined sanctuary is guarded by six statues — three on each side. Some already hold ornate items like a Sickle, Shield, or Cauldron, while others have empty hands waiting for specific objects you’ll discover scattered throughout the area.
At first glance, it might seem like a simple placement challenge, but the riddle carved into the “Mysterious Engraving” adds an extra layer of confusion. It reads: “One side forges in steel, the other nurtures life.” That line is the key to figuring out where each artifact belongs.
Where to Find the Missing Items
Before you can solve the puzzle, you’ll need to track down the three missing relics — the Child Figurine, Sword, and Trident. Each of these items is hidden in different sections of the church complex and nearby tunnels.
- Child Figurine: Found near the altar chamber, inside a cracked reliquary. You’ll need to crouch through a small passage to reach it.
- Sword: Obtained after defeating the armored “Warden” enemy in the west courtyard.
- Trident: Located in the flooded catacombs beneath the sanctuary. Drain the water using the nearby valve before retrieving it.
Once you have all three, return to the door. Now comes the precise placement.
Correct Statue Item Placement
If you’d rather skip the riddles and get straight to the answer, here’s the full solution to the Cronos: The New Dawn church door puzzle:
- Remove the Cauldron and Shield from their current statues.
- Left side (fosters life):
- Top: Shield
- Middle: Child Figurine
- Bottom: Cauldron
- Right side (forged in steel):
- Top: Sword
- Middle: Sickle (fixed, cannot be moved)
- Bottom: Trident
Once all six statues hold their proper relics, the door will emit a low hum before slowly unlocking.
What’s Behind the Church Door
Before you step inside, make sure to visit the nearby safe room. Stock up on ammo and prioritize crafting healing tonics over ammunition — the upcoming fight rewards survival instincts over firepower. Beyond the door lies one of the toughest encounters in Cronos: The New Dawn: a boss known only as The Matron. She commands spectral enemies that drop bullets mid-battle, but her real threat lies in her devastating AOE attacks and stamina-draining screams.
To stand a chance, maintain distance, use the pillars for cover, and exploit moments after she finishes a scream animation to land heavy melee attacks.
Final Thoughts
The church door puzzle in Cronos: The New Dawn is more than a brainteaser — it’s a narrative symbol. It connects themes of rebirth, loss, and the duality of creation and destruction that define the game’s bleak world. Solving it not only opens a literal door but also pushes the story toward its emotional peak.
Take your time exploring every corner of the sanctuary, and remember: in Cronos: The New Dawn, curiosity is often rewarded — but never without a cost.