The cosmic horror found fertile ground in video games — and in board games too, it’s worth saying. Ancient cults, crumbling towns, indescribable creatures, and protagonists on the verge of madness: all that lovely madness you already know well. So, lately I’ve been looking at some games that are based on the cosmic horror universe, and I decided to compile them all here. This list brings together the Lovecraftian and cosmic horror-inspired games that have already had articles here on the site.
As new articles keep being published, this selection will be updated regularly, adding more games that explore cosmic horror in all sorts of ways; from classic survival horror to more contemplative narrative adventures.
So, let’s take a look at some Lovecraft-Inspired games.
Alone in the Dark (1992)
Alone in the Dark hardly needs an introduction. Often credited as the first survival horror game, it was also one of the earliest to draw on Lovecraft’s stories to build its terrifying narrative. It’s a proper classic for the genre.
The game puts players in the shoes of Edward Carnby or Emily Hartwood as they uncover mysteries inside the haunted Derceto Mansion.
Beyond its memorable atmosphere, the game also introduced important technical advances, such as 3D characters over pre-rendered backgrounds and fixed camera angles that helped ramp up the horror — even if it feels a bit clunky these days.
Shadow of the Comet (1993)
Released in 1993, also by Infogrames, Shadow of the Comet is an old-school point-and-click adventure and one of the first games to really capture the spirit of the Cthulhu Mythos, blending cosmic horror with the puzzle-solving and exploration typical of the genre.
The game follows journalist John Parker as he visits the mysterious port town of Illsmouth, where the passing of Halley’s Comet lines up with supernatural events tied to ancient cults and cosmic entities.
The pacing is slow, but it’s still a fun ride if you’re into Lovecraft-inspired stories, and that’s why it remains one of the most memorable adaptations of Lovecraftian horror in gaming.
Prisoner of Ice (1995)
Prisoner of Ice is an indirect sequel to Shadow of the Comet, as well as an imaginary continuation of Lovecraft’s At the Mountains of Madness. The visual atmosphere is brilliant, even if the game leans more into action and adventure than straight horror.
Set during the Second World War, the story follows Lieutenant Ryan, a crew member aboard an American submarine transporting mysterious cargo seized from the Nazis. It doesn’t take long for the mission to turn into a nightmare, kicking off a plot full of conspiracies and secret cults.
With detailed visuals, a gloomy atmosphere, and a fun story, Prisoner of Ice is one of the pulpiest Lovecraftian adaptations in gaming and still well worth checking out.
Call of Cthulhu: Dark Corners of the Earth (2005)
Released in 2005, Call of Cthulhu: Dark Corners of the Earth is one of the most intense and atmospheric adaptations of H. P. Lovecraft’s work in gaming.
Players take on the role of detective Jack Walters, who is sent to Innsmouth to investigate strange events that begin to uncover secrets about his own past — all while dealing with the dreaded Order of Dagon.
It’s easily one of the most immersive Lovecraft-inspired games out there, especially thanks to its version of Innsmouth. Mixing first-person action, stealth, puzzles, and survival elements, it remains one of the best — a cult favourite among horror fans.
Conarium (2017)
Released in 2017, Conarium is a first-person horror experience inspired by Lovecraft’s At the Mountains of Madness. It works almost like a tribute to that story, carrying on where it left off. The game focuses on exploring abandoned structures hidden in the Arctic mountains.
You play as Frank Gilman, a scientist who wakes up in an isolated Antarctic base with no memory of recent events, setting off on a journey full of mysteries and discoveries beneath the ice.
Call of Cthulhu (2018)
Call of Cthulhu is an adaptation of the Call of Cthulhu tabletop RPG for video games. It mixes investigation, RPG systems, and psychological horror to create an experience centred on story and atmosphere.
Set on the isolated Darkwater Island, the game follows detective Edward Pierce as he investigates the mysterious death of an artist and her family. What starts as an unusual case soon turns into a fight against cosmic forces you already know far too well.
The game leans heavily on dialogue, choices, and investigation, and while it has its flaws, it still delivers an atmosphere worthy of the source material.
Moons of Madness (2019)
Released in 2019, Moons of Madness is a first-person psychological horror game that blends science fiction with cosmic horror inspired by Lovecraft. This time, Mars becomes the setting for hallucinations and the discovery of incomprehensible forces ready to wipe everything out.
The story follows Shane Newehart, an engineer stationed on a research base on Mars, who starts witnessing impossible events as strange forces awaken beneath the red planet.
With a strong narrative focus, an isolated atmosphere, and a horror-first approach, Moons of Madness delivers an immersive and unsettling experience.
The Sinking City (2019)
The Sinking City is an open-world game that mixes noir investigation with a series of Lovecraftian stories in the brilliantly realised city of Oakmont. The game definitely has its flaws, especially technical ones, but the setting deserves a lot of praise.
Players control Charles Reed, a private investigator haunted by disturbing visions, who arrives in Oakmont looking for answers but ends up tangled in the madness and schemes surrounding the city’s inhabitants.
The highlight here is the mix of open investigation and atmosphere. Instead of just following quest markers, players need to gather clues, interpret evidence, and piece information together to solve cases, which helps pull you into the experience. It’s just a shame the technical issues can get in the way now and then.
Call of the Sea (2020)
Released in 2020, Call of the Sea is a first-person adventure with exploration, puzzles, and touches of cosmic horror wrapped in gorgeous visuals.
Set in the 1930s, the story follows Norah Everhart as she searches for her missing husband on a remote island in the South Pacific. Before long, that rescue mission turns into a journey of self-discovery.
Call of the Sea offers a more contemplative and emotional take on Lovecraftian horror, swapping oppressive terror for curiosity and wonder. It’s also heavily focused on puzzles, which may not be everyone’s cup of tea.
Dredge (2023)
Released in 2023, Dredge is a fishing adventure with exploration and cosmic horror elements that turns the calmness of the sea into something increasingly unsettling. It mixes seemingly relaxing fishing and management mechanics with an atmosphere that slowly becomes more disturbing.
Players take on the role of a fisherman arriving at an isolated archipelago, only to get caught up in strange events, uncovering secrets hidden beneath the waves while searching for pieces to drive away whatever lurks in those waters.
Dredge is one of those brilliant surprises that comes along every so often. It starts with the calm rhythm of a fishing sim, but that calm quickly proves to be a disguise. The horror grows stronger as it seeps into the fisherman’s daily routine, and that contrast between routine and constant threat creates a fantastic sense of tension. And the art direction? Absolutely stunning.
Chorus of Carcosa (2025)
Chorus of Carcosa is a psychological horror experience inspired by the world of Robert W. Chambers, The King in Yellow, and the mythical city of Carcosa.
You play as a sculptor working on a statue resembling Hastur, the King in Yellow, who becomes trapped in a series of nightmares pulling him towards the yellow city. To make matters worse, a madwoman turns up at his flat door with murderous intentions.
The game works as a walking simulator where the horror steadily builds as you move forward, delivering a fragmented narrative and bursts of grotesque psychological terror. Despite some issues with pacing and storytelling, it’s refreshing to see a game focused on The King in Yellow, which doesn’t happen very often.
Static Dread: The Lighthouse (2025)
Static Dread: The Lighthouse mixes management systems, cosmic horror, and moral choices. It takes inspiration from games like I’m Not a Human and Papers, Please, but throws possible cosmic horrors into the mix.
You play as a lighthouse keeper who must guide ships using analogue systems after an aurora disrupts digital communication across parts of the world. Meanwhile, strange visitors keep arriving at the lighthouse — and every so often, something much worse appears.
The Dark Rites of Arkham (2026)
The Dark Rites of Arkham is a point-and-click adventure that blends police investigation, cosmic horror, and noir atmosphere in a world inspired by Lovecraft’s stories.
You play as Jack Foster, whose investigation quickly grows from a simple criminal case into a supernatural conspiracy. Now he and his partner Whitman need to search every corner of Arkham to solve the mystery and save the world.
The Dark Rites of Arkham is a really fun detective experience. The point-and-click gameplay and beautiful pixel art make Arkham even more engaging, and the witty writing does a great job of juggling several of Lovecraft’s ideas at once.
Cthulhu: Cosmic Abyss (2026)
Cthulhu: Cosmic Abyss is a first-person investigative thriller with a strong focus on exploration and puzzle-solving. It has beautiful visuals, excellent voice acting, and a story that keeps you hooked, even if it leans a bit too much on audio logs and written files.
The story takes place in 2053, where Noah follows the trail of a missing crew to the depths of the ocean, leading him to the sunken city of R’lyeh. There he must face hallucinations, cultists, impossible geometry, and the threat of Cthulhu awakening.
