5 of the best Lovecraftian-themed video games

Despite being quite an interesting genre, Lovecraftian games are not talked about very often. Lovecraftian games are inspired by the works of H.P Lovecraft, who made huge contributions towards weird horror themes through his stories. In such games, you encounter a type of horror you have never experienced before while getting to try something new in the process.

Many small-scale video games have celebrated his work by incorporating the type of horror he wrote about. In this article, we will list five of the best Lovecraft-themed games that you should check out.

Note: This list is subjective, reflects the author's opinions, and is not in any particular order.

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These Lovecraftian games will make you feel a different kind of horror

1) Bloodborne

Bloodborne is a PlayStation 4 exclusive (Image by FromSoftware)

Bloodborne was a smash hit when it was first released for the PlayStation 4 back in 2015. One of the most successful FromSoftware games to exist, the game is considered a masterpiece by many. While you can expect difficulty from Bloodborne since it's a souls-like game, what makes the title worth checking out is its horror-filled atmosphere.

The dark and foggy environments and the enemies you will find at every place you explore in the game will send chills down your spine. To this day, Bloodborne fans are requesting a next-gen patch of the game so that they can experience the Lovecraftian title at 60FPS.

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2) Amnesia: The Dark Descent

Amnesia: The Dark Descent started the franchise (Image via Frictional Games)

Amnesia is a horror franchise that many players are familiar with. These games are worth trying out as they fit the Lovecraftian description naturally. The first game in the franchise, Amnesia: The Dark Descent was released in 2010. The game impressed the play base with both its horror elements and interesting storyline.

Amnesia: The Dark Descent is a Lovecraftian game where you take on the role of Daniel, who wakes up in a dark castle filled with creepy creatures of all kinds. What makes your situation worse is the fact that your character doesn't remember his past. Moving forward in the story gradually reveals his past actions and how he came to this castle.

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3) Call of Cthulhu

Call of Cthulhu is based on H.P Lovecraft's work of the same name (Image via Focus Entertainment)

Call of Cthulhu is a 2018 game inspired by what is probably H.P. Lovecraft's most famous work of the same name. This game captures the Lovecraftian theme perfectly by blending horror atmospheres and a mystery in the narrative. This first-person horror game is set in 1924 and follows the story of Private Investigator Pierce who is investigating a mysterious case of the death of the Hawkins family.

Call of Cthulhu is filled with atmospheric horror as you investigate the case while making sure you remain sane. Your character has to solve the case while avoiding shadowy figures that are out to get him in combat, keeping you on the edge of your seat. The game has been greatly admired for respecting and adapting the type of horror that H.P. Lovecraft made mainstream.

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4) The Sinking City

The Sinking City's story-rich narrative makes it worth playing (Image via Frogwares)

Released in 2021, The Sinking City was received positively for its story-rich narrative. Fans appreciated the game's Lovecraftian theme as they stepped into the shoes of a private investigator. The tone of The Sinking City is similar to what you will find in Call of Cthulhu, making it another great entry into the Lovecraftian universe.

The Sinking City is a third-person shooter set during the 1920s in the United States. The place is submerged in water after a flood and your job is to investigate what happened. However, your job is not easy as you have to fight off supernatural forces during your investigation. The dark atmosphere and eerie plot make this flooded world of The Sinking City a great Lovecraftian experience.

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5) The Last Door

The Last Door is a pixelated adventure (Image via The Game Kitchen)

The Last Door is a game from 2014 that brings horror and a Lovecraftian theme in pixelated graphics. With overwhelmingly positive reviews on Steam, the game has managed to garner a huge fan base. This point-and-click adventure has you exploring Victorian England to get to the bottom of the evil events that only you can stop.