Lovecraftian games

[xS]

Originally posted by 680x0
I'm a little iffy on Silicon Knights personally, I didn't think much of Legacy of Kain, and the control in ED wasn't all that great. Tho props for being the first developer of a decent Lovecraftian game

progressive scan MGS should be nice though

I hate linking to this guy, but here you go.
http://www.411mania.com/games/column...columns_id=357

[Andy]

I didn't think much of Legacy of Kain, and the control in ED wasn't all that great.

[680x0]

My problem with calling Persona 2 "lovecraftian" is that Lovecraft's works always had an element of extreme alienation and cryptical meaning. While I appreciate the nod Atlus gave to Lovecraftian literature, I feel this is another case of imperfect cultural synthesis by the Japanese. While it bears certain external similarities to Lovecraft, the soul of the game is distinctly different. The idea of the main characters conversing with demons on a human level is completely polar to Lovecraft's style of alienation. In later works many of his central characters and sometimes protagonists were mystical adepts, none of them really interacted with the greater forces in a very direct way (the exeptions being short and dangerous to body and mind) These adepts learned to pit opposing gods and demons against one another for personal gain or to ensure the continued blessed ingorance of mankind. However this type of mystical warfare was really more Derleth's style, who continued the mythos after Lovecraft's early death.

I feel Eternal Darkness (and Alone in the Dark) in many respects captured the sense of impotence and total alienation of human understanding that many of the Lovecraft protagonists feel. Of those games listed I haven't tried the Cthulhu game, Necronomicon (not pinball), or Lunacy. So I can't really say anything about those titles, but as an avid reader of Lovecraft (everything he ever published, and personal correspondence) I have to say ED gets my vote as being the closest to Lovecraftian sensibilities (but not the most fun to play)

[EightBit]

Wow... here I thought Eternal Darkness was the first survival horror type game to give not terribly clunky and enjoyable controls. A high water mark for all other survival horror games to reach for in terms of atmosphere, story, combat, and controls. "Puzzles" could still use some work I guess.


Moving on to the apparent subject.

I just started getting into Lovecraft recently. Very very good stuff. And I'll agree with 680x0 in terms of how Lovecraftian ED is, aswell as the other games mentioned.

[Captain Vegetable]

Originally posted by 680x0
My problem with calling Persona 2 "lovecraftian" is that Lovecraft's works always had an element of extreme alienation and cryptical meaning. While I appreciate the nod Atlus gave to Lovecraftian literature, I feel this is another case of imperfect cultural synthesis by the Japanese. While it bears certain external similarities to Lovecraft, the soul of the game is distinctly different. The idea of the main characters conversing with demons on a human level is completely polar to Lovecraft's style of alienation. In later works many of his central characters and sometimes protagonists were mystical adepts, none of them really interacted with the greater forces in a very direct way (the exeptions being short and dangerous to body and mind) These adepts learned to pit opposing gods and demons against one another for personal gain or to ensure the continued blessed ingorance of mankind. However this type of mystical warfare was really more Derleth's style, who continued the mythos after Lovecraft's early death.

I feel Eternal Darkness (and Alone in the Dark) in many respects captured the sense of impotence and total alienation of human understanding that many of the Lovecraft protagonists feel. Of those games listed I haven't tried the Cthulhu game, Necronomicon (not pinball), or Lunacy. So I can't really say anything about those titles, but as an avid reader of Lovecraft (everything he ever published, and personal correspondence) I have to say ED gets my vote as being the closest to Lovecraftian sensibilities (but not the most fun to play)

This was a joy to read. I would have said it myself if you hadn't already.

And just to list a few more, there were games that came out before/arround Alone in the Dark based on Lovecraft's works. Shadow of the Meteor and Prisoner of Ice. They were adventure games of the point and click variety. PoI was wonderful, but I've never been able to find a copy of SotM.

[Victrix]

I love them all. That's also part of the reason I preferred Silent Hill to RE (the first, not the second). Creepy psychological fear is far more intense than whatever shock they can throw at you by going 'boo' (though SH had that as well).

Oh, and the chanting in ED was just supreme. Useful for scaring off door to door preachers, annoying phone callers, and even your girlfriend!

Chattur'ghaAntorbokRedgormor WORSHIP TEH DEVIL!

[Chief Hambleton]

Captain Vegatable: You mean Shadow of the Comet?

Let us not forget Sanitarium. Ia! Ia!

[Captain Vegetable]

Originally posted by Chief Hambleton
Captain Vegatable: You mean Shadow of the Comet?

Yes.

I will forever forget the real name of this game. Last time I tried to tell someone about it, it was "Day of the Meteor." I was a bit closer this time, though.

[Chief Hambleton]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...&category=3606

Captain Vegetable: Someone selling Shadow of the Comet cheap on ebay.

Yes, $5 is cheap!

I seem to remember a lot more copies were available in the UK.

Oh, remember the cool parchment map that came with the game?

Nice!

[EightBit]

Originally posted by Chief Hambleton

Let us not forget Sanitarium. Ia! Ia!

I was going to mention that one, but I didnt play it enough to really judge. God I'd love to track that game down sometime, it seemed so cool when I played it for a while at my friends, but didnt have a computer with enough power to run it at the time.