Call of Cthulhu: Dark Corners of the Earth

Added August 13th, 2004 by Derby

I know what you’re thinking. Does this guy write about anything other than horror games?! I actually do but what can I say, I’m a big horror fan. As such I’m a big fan of H.P. Lovecraft and was ecstatic to learn that Headfirst, out of the U.K., has been developing a game based on the Lovecraft mythos for years! Based on the stories: Shadow Over Innsmouth and Shadow Over Time, this game tries to establish the tension and fear of the unknown made famous by Lovecraft.

Headfirst is doing their best to make this game as immersive as possible, they want you to feel as though you’re in Innsmouth, you’re battling Deep Ones, you’re running for your life. To accomplish this they’re including fantastic graphics and no HUD (Heads Up Display). Instead you’ll have to use other methods to determine how many shots are left in your pistol. Since this game does take place in the Lovecraftian era of the 1920’s, Headfirst is including authentic 1920’s weapons, vehicles, architecture, and character wardrobe. Early 20th century New England won’t be the only scenery you see as concept art and screenshots indicate a trip to the city of the Deep Ones themselves.

Another highly touted feature of this game will be an advanced AI system that will find your enemies not only hunting you on their own, opening doors and searching buildings for you, but they will also hunt in packs, they will try to corner you. Headfirst says better than I ever could: ‘To stay alive you won’t just be able to outshoot them, you’ll need to outthink them as well.’

Expect to see Lovecraftian favourties such as Dagon, Shoggoths, Deep Ones, etc. as your character fights to hold onto their sanity. If you've heard of Eternal Darkness you may be familiar with the insanity meter, Call of Cthulhu has implemented something similar only you won't have any handy meter with which to gauge your current mental situation. You'll have to be able to spot the trouble signs such as dizzy spells, disorientation such as vertigo, paranoia, even seeing through the eyes of his enemies. If you're not careful you may turn your guns on yourself if things get too much. I saw a gameplay video where the player looked down a chasm and the graphical effects of the vertigo were gut wrenching, very realistic.

Tentatively scheduled for a Q4 release this year, Call of Cthulhu could be a big seller for Headfirst if the gameplaying public isn’t too put off by the lack of multiplayer. Personally I can guarantee at least one purchase of this game as I’ve been waiting years for a Lovecraft themed game. Many games use his techniques, adapt his plot devices (Eternal Darkness) but I don’t think there’s been a quality game with his name on it before. Kudos to Headfirst, I can’t wait to see the final product.