PlayStation Studios head Hermen Hulst recently told Reuters that, while game development remains its focus, its recent investment in FromSoftware means exploring other media is “not unthinkable.” While Sony hasn’t had the most reputable films in the past, a strong TV series could be just what it needs, and Bloodborne would be an ideal game to adapt.
Bloodborne is one of many that was inspired by the works of H.P. Lovecraft as well as many other classical gothic horror authors. The game perfectly blends in elements of the Victorian era, fantastical and horrifying monsters, steampunk ideas, and is the perfect game for any fan that wants a horror game to play for this Halloween.
Call Of Cthulhu: Dark Corners Of The Earth (2005)
Dark Corners of the Earth is a survival game released for the Xbox and PC that blends several elements from Lovecraft’s stories into the game. The primary plot of the game, however, specifically follows one of Lovecraft’s stories called The Shadow over Innsmouth.
The game is very similar to Resident Evil games, especially with the more recent 3rd person games, and features detective work and action as Jack questions the creepy citizens of Innsmouth and encounters the horrifying creatures there.
Call Of Cthulhu (2018)
Not to be confused with Dark Corners of the Earth, Call of Cthulhu is another survival game and is based on Lovecraft’s most famous work, Call of Cthulhu. This game was approached similarly to Dark Corners of the Earth with a detective’s investigation.
The game feels a bit less true to the story it loosely adapts than Corners of the Earth does, but it does do an excellent job of mixing in cosmic horror and having Edward Pierce interact with the cult of Cthulhu. Fans of the original story are certain to love the conclusion of the game.
Diablo III (2013)
Diablo III is a dark fantasy RPG and one of the best hack-and-slash games on the Nintendo Switch. While at first glance this may not appear to have anything to do with Lovecraft, it actually implements many Lovecraftian elements like the impending doom of cosmic forces, devils and angels, and a blend of fantasy and horror.
The game is centered around a war between heaven and hell and is more of a high fantasy take on Lovecraft rather than Low Fantasy where the main protagonist is often invaded by outside forces. While it offers a different spin, many fans of Lovecraft will find a similar vibe, and his perfect for those that love fantasy alongside cosmic horror.
The Sinking City (2019)
The Sinking City is another survival game based on the Call of Cthulhu (though the game focuses on Cthylla, the daughter of Cthulhu rather than on Cthulhu himself) but is a more fleshed-out game with more refined gameplay and investigation.
The game is very similar to Vampyr with the specific districts and the different outcomes an NPC’s story can have based on the actions the player makes. This game as well as multiple endings with a total of three each of which has its horrifying downsides. Despite this story not focusing on Cthulhu, fans of the original story will love this fresh game with plenty of references and influences to Lovecraft.
Vampyr (2018)
Vampyr is very similar to the Sinking City with the NPCs, districts, and endings. The story is compelling with Jonathan E. Reid struggling between taking lives as a vampire and saving lives as a doctor. While the game is about vampires, it does do a fantastic job of creating its own dark mythos rather similar to Lovecraft.
The game excels at bringing horror into the game and making the player feel hopeless. What’s so compelling about this game is how much control the player has over the character and by refusing to drink the blood of humans, the game grows more difficult making the game feel realistic to the life of a vampire.
Resident Evil Village (2020)
Resident Evil Village is one of the best horror games on the PS5 and is the eighth mainline game in the Resident Evil survival series. While there are many spectacular titles in the franchise, none is closer to the Lovecraftian Horror genre than Village.
This game mixes gothic, steampunk, and cosmic all with horror to give fans the perfect Gothic Horror experience. As the game progresses Ethan Winters experiences a more horrifying adventure than Biohazard. Fans of tropes like werewolves, vampires, witches, and cosmic demons will definitely find this game to their liking.
The Last Door (2013)
The Last Door is an episodic horror game influenced by the works of H.P. Lovecraft as well as the author that influenced him, Edgar Allan Poe. While this game may not initially seem appealing to many players due to its pixel gameplay, they shouldn’t judge before playing.
The Last Door is one of the best point-and-click horror games ever, and it’s a downright horrifying game with plenty of mystery and discovery with dark forces that will send shivers down players’ spines. Players who enjoy great stories, scary moments, and puzzles should definitely give this game a try.
Eldritch (2013)
Eldritch is a fantastic game that possesses a great deal of replay value due to every playthrough being different. Many fans have liked to describe the game as Minecraft but with the Cthulhu Mythos. At a first glance that seems like a somewhat accurate description, but players will find Eldritch is far different gameplay-wise from Minecraft.
The game is a first-person action game where the protagonist uses both guns and spells. The lore of the game and its influence from Lovecraft’s tales make this one of the most perfect Lovecraftian Horror games ever and every fan needs to try it.
Amnesia: The Dark Descent (2010)
Amnesia: The Dark Descent is a perfect survival horror game to play during Halloween and is downright horrifying. It takes influence from Lovecraft’s works as it creates this terrible world of horror. This survival game has players running for their lives as they’re haunted by cosmic creatures wanting to devour their flesh.
The music complements the game excellently, adding to the horrific suspense and impending doom that the player feels as they run through the halls and see their surroundings grow more and more macabre. While this game does heavily focus on the experience of survival and escaping, it is also complimented by an excellent story to help players along their way.
Bloodborne (2015)
All of FromSoftware’s Souls-like games are perfect games for anyone wanting to dive into Lovecraftian Horror, but none are better suited to that than Bloodborne. This game is without a doubt the best game to ever use Gothic or Lovecraftian Horror for a game and while it manages to take a great deal of influence from Lovecraft and many other classical Gothic authors it often feels fresh and original.
This hack-and-slash game focuses on a Hunter that slays beasts in order to escape the Hunter’s Dream, an endless nightmare where the Hunter cannot die. The action, horror, and thrill this game can make a player feel are truly unmatched.
