The best games in the Lovecraft style. Lovecraft games

Lovecraft’s tombstone reads “I Am Providence,” which is understandable if by Providence we mean the city in which the writer was born and lived most of his short life. But I think another epitaph would be no less successful - “I am a horror writer.” Howard Phillips Lovecraft is an exemplary author of literary works in the horror genre. His father died in a mental hospital when the boy was eight. The mother, although much later, is in the same psychiatric hospital. Howard himself was a child prodigy as a child, was sick a lot, and suffered from nightmares. Having matured, he led a semi-recluse, often nocturnal, lifestyle. He did not publish a single book and, in general, published little.

After leaving for a better (or worse?) world, a brighter life awaited his work than he himself had. Lovecraft's legacy has won an entire army of fans and had a noticeable impact on popular culture, of course, not bypassing the phenomenon of video games, the list of which is presented here.

First I will note the ones that are most interesting to me, and then I will list all the others.

Necronomicon: The Dawning of Darkness

Released: 2001
Platforms: Windows, PlayStation
Genre: quest

A scientist named William Stanton is looking for his childhood friend, who, under strange circumstances, left an incomprehensible artifact for the protagonist’s safekeeping. As William advances in his investigation, he plunges deeper and deeper into the dark and mysterious world occultism.
The game did not gain much success either among critics or among the general public. But some fans of the genre and theme may like it. Personally, what I like most about it is the visual component - it is in these colors that I imagine Lovecraft’s world.

Necronomicon: The Dawning of Darkness

Call of Cthulhu: Dark Corners of the Earth

Year of release: 2005
Platforms: Xbox, Windows
Genres: survival horror, first-person shooter, quest

Firmly included in various tops of the most scary games eva. The plot closely echoes many of Lovecraft's works. The non-standard gameplay is something consisting of elements of survival horror, first-person shooter and quest.
Unfortunately, the technical performance clearly let us down. Because of this, I was not able to get acquainted with it at the time when it was relevant - the game simply did not start, although I really wanted to. I was only able to try it now. And what’s interesting is that we didn’t get far this time either, because of a bug, of which, according to reviews, there are still many. True, now I didn’t really want to, because this is not the case when the years that have passed since the release do not affect the enjoyment of the game.
In general, Call of Cthulhu is quite unusual and very controversial, having many fans, but not everyone likes it.

Call of Cthulhu: Dark Corners of the Earth

Darkness Within: In Pursuit of Loath Nolder

Released: 2007
Platform: Windows
Genre: quest

A police detective is investigating the murder of a rich man who was interested in the occult. The main suspect is a former private detective who, for unknown reasons, suddenly abandoned his last case several years ago and began traveling around the world. To understand this matter, the protagonist will have to subject his sanity to serious tests.
An interesting plot, logical, although in some places too complex for me, riddles and a successful atmosphere together made up a very good game that is worth recommending. But only for those who are not afraid of an above-average amount of text and far from advanced graphics.

Darkness Within: In Pursuit of Loath Nolder

Darkness Within 2: The Dark Lineage

Released: 2010
Platform: Windows
Genre: quest

Continuation of the story begun in the first part, all the advantages of which remain in place. In addition, now thanks to an improved engine that allows you to move around locations more naturally, scary world The games began to look more realistic.

Darkness Within 2: The Dark Lineage

If none of the above interests you, you can look for something from the following list. These are all the remaining games that I know of that can be called based on the work of Lovecraft.

The Hound of Shadow
Released: 1989
Genre: text quest
Platforms: Amiga, Atari ST, DOS

Alone in the Dark
Released: 1992
Genre: survival horror
Platforms: DOS, PC-98, FM Towns, 3DO, Mac OS, RISC OS, iOS

Dylan Dog: Through the Looking Glass
Released: 1993
Genre: quest
Platforms: Amiga, DOS

Shadow of the Comet
Released: 1993
Genre: quest
Platforms: DOS, Linux

Necronomicon
Released: 1994
Genre: quest (for adults)
Platforms: FM Towns, NEC PC-9801

Prisoner of Ice
Released: 1995
Genre: quest
Platforms: DOS, Windows, Mac OS, Sega Saturn, PlayStation

Digital Pinball: Necronomicon
Released: 1996
Genre: pinball simulator
Platform: Sega Saturn

Anchorhead
Released: 1998
Genre: text quest
Platforms: Amiga, web (browser), DOS, Windows

Robert D. Anderson & the Legacy of Cthulhu
Released: 2007
Genre: first person shooter
Platform: Windows

Sherlock Holmes: The Awakened
Released: 2007
Genre: quest
Platforms: Windows, iOS

Call of Cthulhu: The Wasted Land
Released: 2012
Genre: tactical role play
Platforms: Windows, iOS, Android

Sherlock Holmes: The Awakened

Casual

Dark Mysteries: The Soul Keeper
Genre: object search
Platforms: Windows, Mac

Haunted Hotel: Charles Dexter Ward
Genre: object search
Platform: Windows

Dark Mysteries: The Soul Keeper

Beware, indie

Released: 2001
Genre: survival horror
Platform: Windows

Released: 2004
Genre: simple flash shooter
Platform: Adobe Flash

Year of release: 2006
Genre: quest
Platform: Windows

The Necronomicon
Year of release: 2008
Genre: card game
Platform: Adobe Flash

Year of release: 2008
Genre: third person shooter
Platform: Windows

Silent Conversation
Released: 2009
Genre: platformer
Platform: Adobe Flash

Released: 2013
Platforms: Windows, Mac

Beyond the Threshold

That's all. I don’t guarantee that absolutely all games on the designated topic are listed here, but you’re unlikely to find larger list, at least in Russian. There are a number of controversial titles that are often included in such lists, but in my opinion they do not show sufficient Lovecraft influence compared to those included. For example, those left “overboard” include Amnesia: The Dark Descent and games from the Penumbra and Splatterhouse series. I will be glad to see reasoned objections in the comments, if any. Also, no add-ons or mods. Well, maybe I really missed something, messages about which are also warmly welcome.

It's autumn, the most mystical time of the year. And if someone wants to enhance this atmosphere, perhaps something from this list will help you with this.

01.11.2015 16:55 Terminator T-800

Terminator T-800 06/26/2016 20:23:44

Tone, you probably meant Clive Barker's Undying. The game looks very good, as confirmed by reviews about it on the Internet. But the first information found suggests rather that the influence of Lovecraft’s work can be seen in the game, but it cannot be called a “game based on Lovecraft.” In any case, thanks, very interesting - we'll see.

About the 9 best and most atmospheric games that convey to us the very essence of Cthulhu. Here is a translation of this publication.

Bookmarks

“A nameless, formless abomination that no mind can fully comprehend...”

Ancient Gods. Great Old Ones. Metallica sang about them more than once. Indeed, Lovecraft's unique brand of horror has delighted fans for years - oh, did I say admired? I mean brought torment beyond comprehension. Look, he created an entire mythology (known as), in which the ancients, who are some creatures from outer space, arrived on our planet a long time ago, settled and have secretly ruled since then human history- waiting for their time to devour our world. He wasn't someone who exuded happiness.

The unique thing about Lovecraftian horror is that the monsters he writes about are so beyond our ability to reason that the human brain can't even begin to comprehend what it sees and begins to go crazy. If he survives at all. His short stories and novellas provided a wealth of inspiration for developers who wanted to scare people to death, and many games are filled with unspeakable horrors that were inspired by the works of Lovecraft. Here are some of them.

Alone in the Dark

Chthonian

Game: Maybe Resident Evil and was the game that brought the horror genre to the masses, but the first game that made unsuspecting players jump out of their pants in 1992 was Alone in the Dark. The owner of a haunted mansion commits suicide. Private detective Edward Carnby or the owner's niece Emily Hartwood will have to investigate the mystical reasons for his death. Needless to say, an ominous horror lurks in the shadows.

Horror: The game was originally inspired by the works of Lovecraft, which is why there are otherworldly demons of all kinds, ready to drive you mad or eat you alive. In it you can trace specific references to, also to terrible Chthonians(huge octopuses that resemble worms) and the winged Nightgaunts (taken from the novella) who appear here.

Call of Cthulhu: Dark Corners of the Earth

Shoggoth

Game: In fact Dark Corners of the Earth is a retelling of Lovecraft's novella - right down to the creepy fish-shaped town inhabitants, an attempted murder in your hotel room, and a twist ending. You play as private detective (sensing a trend?) Jack Walters. He comes into contact with a cult of fanatics calling themselves the Brotherhood of the Yiths, which "inspired" him to stay in a mental hospital for half a decade. After leaving there, he takes on the case of missing people in Innsmouth- a matter that will lead him to the depths of madness.

Horror: Monsters from Lovecraft's darkest nightmares can drive anyone crazy who sees them - and this game is no exception. If you look at these eccentrics for too long, the picture before your eyes will begin to blur. They will start to drive you crazy or even drive you to suicide. What kind of weirdos are these, you ask? For starters, you'll encounter a writhing, almost shapeless mass of appendages, eyes, and black goo. You will also deal with members of the cult of the Esoteric Order of Dagon, who are fish people and flying polyps. Really, Innsmouth looks like a great place to live.

The Secret World

Draug

Game: The Secret World– An MMORPG that combines every secret society, mythical creature, urban legend, crazy crazy theory, all into one game. Werewolves, Illuminati, vampires, zombies, demons, Templars, the hollow earth hypothesis, and more - they're all here and they're all fighting each other in a futuristic version of our world. Of course, this means that Lovecraft’s creations are also present here. It's a conspiracy theorist's greatest dream and nightmare all in one.

Horror: When you start new game V The Secret World, you choose a character plopped down on the Solomon Islands, a fictional island off the coast of Maine filled with Lovecraft-inspired horror. Your place of residence is in the city Kingsmouth(combination Kingsport And Innsmouth, two cities very often found in writings) next to the river Miskatonic flowing through the city. A strong fog enveloped the island, forcing most of the inhabitants to go underwater - those who returned turned into Dragus, immortal monsters covered in thorns and algae.

Sherlock Holmes: The Awakened

Cthulhu statue

Game: Sherlock Holmes is tired. As the greatest detective on earth, he needs something better suited to his capabilities, something worth yours, than simply saving 19th century London from itself. His investigation into a string of kidnappings leads him to a cult attempting to summon the great Cthulhu, and the fate of the entire world finds itself at stake. I wonder if Sir Arthur Conan Doyle would have accepted this as canon.

Horror: While the presence of Cthulhu provides the backdrop to the narrative in The Awakened's, the game centers on the tension between a driven detective and the evil cult he is trying to track down. This is true for the best; Lovecraft describes them as winged monsters with massive claws and tentacles on their faces that resemble octopuses. No matter how smart he was, I think even Sherlock would not remain sane after one look at these ancient horrors.

Quake

Shub-Niggurath

Game: Quake might be best remembered for its buttery-smooth and absolutely crazy multiplayer mods, but the single-player game went into some dark places. The government was working on teleportation technology and (as things of this type usually go) a force known as " Quake" hijacked this "gate" and began using it to smuggle a demonic horde through. Of course, it's up to you to stop it by blowing everything up into little bloody pieces - complete with a suave soundtrack from the frontman Nine Inch Nails Trent Reznor. It feels like the game was created specifically to piss off your parents.

Horror: Loaded with Satanic imagery (similar to idsoftware's earlier game, Doom), Quake makes numerous references to Lovecraft's unique brand of alien terror. One of the enemies we fight is referred to as " Formless Spawn of Tsathoggua", a monster that can be found in Lovecraftian " ". Some levels are named Vaults of Zin and The Nameless City (referring to Lovecraftian lore), the last boss in turn is named - or " Black Goat of the Woods with a Thousand Cubs"He just wants to hug you.

Eternal Darkness

Xel'lotath

Game: Also known among fans as "the game that bullies you" Eternal Darkness is a classic among fans of truly twisted horror. Alexandra Roivas lives in her grandfather's Rhode Island mansion and tries to solve his mysterious murder. What follows is a story spanning centuries involving the Tome of Eternal Darkness and the evil galactic beasts that created it. Eternal Darkness also shows the magnificence of Lovecraft trademark and expands it not only for the character, but also for you: the player. The game just deleted your saves - did they delete them? Is anything real?

Horror: While it's not exactly about the Cthulhu Mythos, it could end up being one. The Tome of Eternal Darkness is a magical book that finds its way into the hands of many characters throughout the story, and also draws several comparisons to Lovecraft's Necronomicon in both its appearance and content. In addition, the Ancients from Eternal Darkness have such expressive Xel"lotath And Chattur"gha- and they are just as terrible and huge. Oh, and they'll drive you crazy too, just like how sneakily they turned down the volume on your TV.

Cthulhu Saves the World

Cthulhu

Game: The octopus-like Cthulhu rose from the depths to drive everyone crazy and seize power over the world. As soon as he reached land, his immense power dried up, and the only way to regain the power was to do the exact opposite of what he wanted: save the world. So he begins a comedic JRPG quest filled with goofy characters, random battles, and more Lovecraftian jokes than you can count in a fhtagn.

Horror: I wouldn't call monsters from Cthulhu Saves the World“terrible”, they are all too compressed and eight-bit, which is truly scary. But the RPG is from Zeyboyd Games sounds like a love letter to all things Lovecraftian. Familiar haunts like Innsmouth and appear as cities to resupply supplies and continue the search, and evil alien creatures like (oops, just the Creeping Chaos) appear here to prevent you from completing your goal: saving the world, to destroy it.

Eldritch

Fishman

Game: Eldritch- this is what you get when you combine Minecraft aesthetics with the endless horror and splendor of the Cthulhu Mythos. This is a semi-turn-based roguelike where the main task is to explore the depths of ancient tombs in search of priceless artifacts. It would be like Indiana Jones, if dashing archaeologist Harrison Ford had to deal with terrifying fish monsters. If you die, though, everything will return to normal along with you.

Horror: Fishmen, cultists and huge penguins (oh, yes,) - all this is here, but it is depicted in Minecraft style. They may look adorable, but you won't think about it when they start raining fire on you.

Elder Sign: Omens

Azathoth

Game: Elder Sign: Omens digital adaptation of the popular board game Fantasy Flight, where all that stands between your success and babbling madness are dice rolls. Choose from a selection of Lovecraftian character archetypes like a cunning bandit, a tough investigator or a snotty academic and work together to bring down your chosen one Ancient God before he awakens and devours the world. No pressure.

Horror: Elder Sign: Omens really gives you a choice from the garbage. Before you start a new game, you need to choose one of several Great Old Ones (as Azathoth or "nuclear chaos" of absolute destruction) for battle. But don't worry, in the end you will fall victim to these unknown horrors anyway. Fun for the whole family!

Lovecraft Tales is a beautifully designed horror adventure based on the stories of H. P. Lovecraft that will immerse you in a cold, dark world and force you to face an unknown primal horror!

The game has been updated from version 0.0.1.1 to 0.0.2.2. No changelog found.

Game Features:
* Unique puzzles
* Non-linear level system
* Beautiful scenery
* Atmospheric music
* Day and night cycle
* Hunger
* Fatigue
* Mental confusion (beware of dark forests at night)
* Diary (collecting pieces of history)

Imagine a lovecraftian game, that just drags you into it's cold, dark world, and forces you to face unknown terrors older than this world.

Imagine a breathtaking adventure in a dynamic, living environment, with a day and night cycle, hunger, fatigue and insanity. Add a beautiful, painterly, retro-like visuals and music that is a unique blend of dark ambient and orchestra on top of that.

Now you understand, why it must happen, right?

Features
Lovecraft Tales will be a 2d side-scrolling game, but it will be built it full 3d, using Unity engine. I call it adventure game, but it"s probably not what you think of, when you think of an "adventure game". I really don"t focus on genres, I focus on creating immersive world and cool gameplay.

3d approach to a 2d game
I tried to use 2d engines, but none of them gives so much flexibility. Besides that, real perspective goes far beyond parallax layers, and makes the whole game more scalable - it allows to use lights, mix some 3d models with 2d (although I don"t want to do it, because I want to keep that style. that, 2d is what is possible and what such a small team can handle Plus, it handles lots of objects efficiently.

Mechanics - keep it simple (but not too simple)
Whole idea evolved from my inspiration with Limbo, and my experience I gained from working on OddPlanet. I wanted to extend that concept, make it bigger, longer, scarier, more fun, more interactive, more lively and less linear. Unfortunately, it wasn't possible then, due to technical limitations of the engine and mobile devices.

Although, I want to keep the mechanics simple. Of course there will be some puzzles to solve, but I want to focus on creating some repeatable systems, that will add more fun at a relatively low cost, instead of focusing on sophistcated, unique puzzle.
By that I mean:
Day and night cycle (and playing some hide and seek with monsters)
Hunger
Fatigue
Insanity (beware of dark woods at night)
Diary (to collect pieces of story)

Non-linear level structure
To tell Lovecraft Tales right I need to create tension and it seemed to me quite difficult to achieve with a side-scrolling approach - because when you face thing, you just face it and that"s it. You can kill it or be killed, but there's no way around.

But then it just struck me - of course there can be a way around it! I can just create layered level and switch between layers, back and forth. So, that"s the concept that"s gonna make this game different.

Art
There's one cool thing about 2d - it won't age. It will always look great.
I was raised on games that are back in fashion now. Although I really love pixel art, and right now there are more and more professional looking productions, I"d like to do something opposite - take that feeling that I remembered from the old games, take the best from their mechanics and use today"s technical possibilities to push it beyond previous limitations.

It"s kind an old-school done like a new-school, I hope you get my idea:).

Music
Ahh, here"s my favorite part. It was playing in my head from the very beginning, I think, and maybe that"s why I"m so clear and so excited about it - and now even more excited, because I found someone who is capable of doing is.

Music will be a unique blend of dark ambient (inspired by artists like Lusmord) and classical one (like Alfred Schnittke in some intense parts). It will be dynamic, context-dependent, and played on real orchestral instruments. I hadn't heard what Hubert prepared when I was writing these words, but your mind has been probably blown already:).

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On August 20, horror and science fiction fans celebrate the 126th anniversary of the birth of Howard Phillips Lovecraft. The author of The Cthulhu Mythos became famous for his stories in which he frightened readers with cosmic horrors and ancient gods who secretly live on Earth.

The heroes were driven crazy by the mere mention of the names of these creatures, not to mention meeting them face to face. The leitmotif of Lovecraft's entire work: people are just grains of sand in the Universe, who do not decide or influence anything, and the fate of all humanity lies in the hands (or tentacles) of much more powerful creatures.

Lovecraft references in games are not uncommon. For example, the creators Mass Effect, World of Warcraft and The Secret World were inspired by his stories when describing the Reapers and the Old Gods. On the occasion of the writer's birthday, we recall the developments that most accurately recreate the spirit of his works.

Darkest Dungeon

Despite its cartoonish visual style, Darkest Dungeon is one of those games that would have made Lovecraft proud. According to the plot, the main character inherits an old estate, under which mysterious catacombs are located. His ancestor once descended into these dungeons, hoping to find untold riches, but he unearthed something so terrible there that he went crazy and committed suicide. Now the main task of the heir, and with him the player, is to recruit adventurers and send them to clear the catacombs of evil.

In Lovecraft's works, many characters lose their sanity when faced with the vile minions of the ancient gods, and Darkest Dungeon plays with this masterfully. All fighters in the game have an insanity stat. And the more terrible the creature, the more difficult it is for adventurers to maintain clarity of mind: even the bravest knight, destroying dozens of ordinary zombies, can go crazy in a matter of seconds, entering into battle with a tentacle-covered Darkman.

Dead Space

It is enough to take one look at the necromorph monsters to draw parallels between the Dead Space series and the work of Lovecraft. However, the Visceral Games series of games and the Cthulhu Mythos are linked even more firmly general theme: the powerlessness of the human race. Necromorphs and the mysterious alien obelisks that spawn them are a threat not only to the heroes of Dead Space, but to all people in general. No one can say for sure where these monsters came from or how to stop them, and it is this feeling of hopelessness that is well known to anyone who has read Lovecraft.

Sunless Sea

Sunless Sea is a game about desperate sailors, ancient gods and travel across the most terrible seas. The world of Sunless Sea is strange and unusual: according to the plot, some mysterious forces transported London deep underground, right into the center of a giant ocean. The player takes on the role of the captain of a small ship, who, together with his crew, navigates the waters, fights pirates and various monsters, and then retells his adventures to the capital's inhabitants for money.

Almost all of the Sunless Sea characters you interact with are eccentric eccentrics, and the same can be said about the sailors who get a job on the ship. This is not surprising: anyone will become inadequate when faced with the disgusting inhabitants of the underground ocean. When going on forays, you need to closely monitor the team's insanity indicator and be prepared for force majeure. It happens that ship's cannon unexpectedly breaks down, and reserves of fuel and provisions run out too quickly. Finding a way out of such troubles is difficult, but possible: for example, you can sacrifice one of the sailors to the ancient gods so that supernatural entities will send coal to the ship. Similar moral dilemmas They turned out very much in the style of Lovecraft.

Bloodborne

Bloodborne starts out as a classic gothic horror with werewolves and vampires, but about halfway through the game it becomes clear whose work Hidetaka Miyazaki, who invented it, was inspired by. It turns out that the residents of the city of Yharnam, to which he arrives main character, massively worship powerful gods from outer space. They look very much like Cthulhu and other creatures from Lovecraft's stories. The most zealous cultists wanted to take humanity to a new level using the rituals of the dark pantheon, but everything did not go according to plan and now the player has to clear the streets of the city from monsters.

In Bloodborne, the hero accumulates insight points, which, just like in the works of Lovecraft, help him see the world as it really is. For example, if you score forty insight points, you can see the alien creatures Amygdala sitting on the roofs of cathedrals.

Call of Cthulhu: Dark Corners of the Earth

Call of Cthulhu is a first-person horror game. It was based on Lovecraft's fantasy story "The Shadow Over Innsmouth", but some characters, enemies and even plot twists migrated into the game from other works of the writer. Dark Corners of the Earth tells the story of detective Jack Walters, who, during his investigation, got on the trail of a mysterious and evil sect. Walters' rash actions led to him opening a gate to another dimension, and then falling into madness for several years and ending up in a mental hospital. After undergoing treatment, the detective returned to work, but fate again pushed him onto the path leading to the cultists of the dark gods.

Despite the large number of bugs, Call of Cthulhu: Dark Corners of the Earth won the hearts of many fans of the genre. The game is still considered one of the most terrible horror games in history: just look at one episode with an escape from the hotel. Some players were so intimidated by Dark Corners of the Earth that they abandoned the game halfway through. I couldn't think of better praise for a game based on Lovecraft.

Like any product of mass culture, video games successfully assimilate popular themes, plots and images. Mythology is in particular demand among developers. Appealing to known archetypes makes the characters recognizable and at the same time leaves room in the description of their appearance and development of characters. It's always interesting to see how the legendary gods and heroes will be shown in the game. In addition, the game can be an excellent opportunity to broaden your horizons and become familiar with the culture of other countries and peoples. At the same time, game plots almost never repeat an existing myth, but more often introduce new heroes into its world with their own unique history. This is what the authors of Apotheon or God of War did, for example. And how often do we see all kinds of angels and demons in games! Fortunately, they can be inserted into any setting and genre, from a fantasy role-playing game to a space shooter.

Interestingly, the works of Howard Phillips Lovecraft are used in games in exactly the same manner. This can be partly explained by the fact that few of the writer’s stories and novellas are suitable for direct transformation into a game: the heroes in them are often assigned only the role of observers, before whose eyes unimaginably terrible events unfold. Perhaps rights issues are preventing us from making a game based on the book. Although Lovecraft's works can already be used as a basis for your own works, there are a number of exceptions and nuances. But, most likely, the world created by Lovecraft has simply outgrown the boundaries of the book universe and has become a myth, which is more interesting to reinterpret and quote than to retell word for word.

Cthulhu and his friends

Oddly enough, there are very few video games officially based on the work of Lovecraft. The only thing that comes to mind off the top of my head is Call of Cthulhu: Dark Corners of the Earth, a horror game ahead of its time based on the story “The Shadow Over Innsmouth.” The original source of “The Sign of the Ancients” and other virtual adaptations is obvious board games, with which the Cthulhu Mythos was much more fortunate. Mansions of Madness, Arkham Horror, Ancient Horror or Mark of the Ancients transport those who like to roll dice and read texts from cards with expression into a world of terrible monsters and ruthless ancient gods. They also made a tabletop role-playing game based on Lovecraft's universe. Call game of Cthulhu, based on which Focus Home Interactive is going to release a video game next year with the simple name Call of Cthulhu: The Official Video Game.

Call of Cthulhu: The Official Video Game

Less formal adaptations of the Cthulhu Mythos are more difficult to identify. It's not easy to understand what determines the game's proximity to Lovecraft's world. Mentions of Cthulhu, Necronomicon, Arkham and other famous creatures, objects and places can be found in games that are farthest from the original source. For example, in Fallout 4 there is a gallery named after Pickman and even a side quest related to a family who, thanks to an artifact of the ancient gods, gained immortality. And the events of the first two parts of the Persona series were completely orchestrated by none other than the creeping chaos Nyarlathotep.

Alone in the Dark: The New Nightmare, 2001

Countless similar games have been released. Lovecraft was one of the writers who laid the foundations of the genre, so his influence can be seen in almost any horror film. Hardcore fans only need one plot element typical of the classic, be it a mysterious cult in a small town or ancient and dangerous aliens, to call a game inspired by his work. But the Silent Hill or Dead Space series still cannot be called games in the spirit of Lovecraft. One of them can most likely be considered the original Alone in the Dark, the main character of which, solving riddles and defeating monsters, escapes from the mansion where an ancient evil force has settled. The adventure game Eternal Darkness is also vividly reminiscent of the Cthulhu Mythos. Her characters, without knowing it, find themselves pawns in the hands of powerful bloodthirsty gods fighting for power. And the horrors they see gradually drive them crazy. As well as the heroes of three more relatively new and extremely atmospheric games.

1. BLOODBORNE | BLOODY NIGHTMARE

Oddly enough, Bloodborne is not a horror game, but a role-playing game with an emphasis on action, and playing it is not at all scary: the main character, a hunter, is able to kick even the ancient gods in the tentacles. Nevertheless, in terms of setting and atmosphere, the game is very close to Lovecraft’s mythology. Although the local monsters have different names, they are easily identified as ghouls, migos and shoggoths, and at the sight of the latter, even a hunter armed to the teeth can become damaged in his mind and receive considerable damage. Victorian architecture and location interiors could be excellent illustrations for the writer’s stories. But most importantly, Bloodborne perfectly conveys the feeling of the fragility of human life, its tiny scale in comparison with cosmic forces. Here the line between a nightmare and reality has blurred, and it is unclear who is going crazy - the hero or the whole world around him.

2. DARKEST DUNGEON | A CURSE INHERITANCE

Unlike the heroes of Alone in the Dark and Eternal Darkness, the protagonist of this game does not go on his own to explore the nooks and crannies of the cursed estate he inherited, but hires professional adventurers for this. But even they have a hard time in the ominous dungeons. Maddened cultists, necromancers and monsters of all stripes not only hurt the characters, but also instill in them such horror that they can develop a phobia, or even die on the spot from a broken heart. Well, as the plot progresses, it turns out that the villains settled in this place for a reason, but under the influence of ancient and powerful forces. Add to this the stunningly stylish and gloomy visual design, monsters similar to those described by Lovecraft, and the original presentation of the plot, where the narration is told on behalf of the narrator, and we get an unexpectedly close to the Cthulhu myths role-playing strategy.

3. SUNLESS SEA | A SEA OF TEXT

In terms of gameplay, Sunless Sea is reminiscent of " Space Rangers" But instead of spaceship you have to drive an old-fashioned steam engine and navigate not the expanses of the universe, but the underground seas: here, after the queen’s deal with the demon, Victorian London and its inhabitants ended up. The game world is inhospitable and dangerous, but full of alluring secrets. Gigantic statues can be seen under the water, altars to unknown gods stand on the islands, and in the ports you can hear exciting stories and even become a participant in them by playing cleverly written text quests. Riches and glory await the cunning and successful captains; hunger, madness and death await the rest. Although there are no familiar monsters and deities in the game, and Lovecraft’s heroes rarely seek adventure of their own free will, Sunless Sea still subtly resembles the work of the classic, especially “The Somnambulistic Search for the Unknown Kadath.”