Lovecraft built a terrifying mythos through his works that have inspired stories and art for nearly a century. Video games, being the most substantial form of modern expression, are not immune to the influence of Lovecraftian cosmic horror. The Cthulhu / Lovecraft mythos lends itself to many genres of gaming, whether mystery, action, horror, or even slice of life, and game developers have not been slacking when it comes to creating great games with atmospheres of cosmic horror and mystery.
The Best Nintendo Switch Dungeon Crawler RPGs
Dungeon Crawlers are one of the oldest genres in games. For players that want one on the go, these are the best Dungeon Crawler RPGs on Switch.
While the Nintendo Switch is usually known for its family-friendly games and light-hearted mainline titles, there are plenty of games on the Nintendo Shop that scratch the itch for players who want to experience something more existentially terrifying.
8 World of Horror
A Mix Of Junji Ito And Lovecraft In Style And Themes
World of Horror
World of Horror feels like a tabletop RPG in video game mode and has a mix of Junji Ito and Lovecraftian themes. Players will choose their investigator and investigate one of many scenarios while taking on very difficult challenges where any choice could mean the end of a run (and the end of the world.)
The 1-bit graphics of World of Horror may feel more at home as a Steam horror game, especially when the graphics emulate an old computer, but they actually look fantastic on the Switch's screen.
7 Don’t Starve
A Quirky Survival Game With A Lovecraftian Vibe
Don't Starve
- Released
- April 23, 2013
- Developer(s)
- Klei Entertainment
- Platform(s)
- Android, iOS, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, PS Vita, Nintendo Wii U, Xbox One, PlayStation 3, PC
- Genre(s)
- Survival, Management
Don't Starve is one of the best and most influential survival games of recent times. The art style and general atmosphere is very reminiscent of the Lovecraft mythos. In fact, Maxwell is likely based on H.P. Lovecraft himself, at least in looks.
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Many survival games feature base-building gameplay in some shape, but the following games bring it to the next level with freedom and substance.
The Nintendo Switch may not be the best platform for survival horror games with great gunplay, at least not in handheld mode. However, it was practically made for top-down survival games like Don't Starve. Its creepy atmosphere, mutating flora, shadow creatures, and Glommer (who is arguably a mini Cthulhu) make it a great Lovecraftian survival experience.
6 Strange Horticulture
The Cozy Option For Lovecraftian Horror Fans
Strange Horticulture
- Released
- January 21, 2022
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Bad Viking
- Platform(s)
- PC, Switch, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One
- Genre(s)
- Adventure, Puzzle
Strange Horticulture is the perfect mix of horror and cozy. The game is basically a slice of life that puts players in the shoes of a horticulturist in a Lovecraftian universe. There are cultists, conspiracies, murders, mysteries, and more and players solve them all using their knowledge of plants.
The Switch feels like the perfect console for Strange Horticulture as the entire game takes place on a single screen, as opposed to something like a huge mansion. The Lovecraftian themes are hard to ignore, even if Cthulhu and the mythos are never mentioned.
5 Dredge
Lovecraft Horror On The Waters
Dredge
- Released
- March 31, 2023
- Developer(s)
- Black Salt Games
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X
- Genre(s)
- Adventure
Dredge is a Lovecraftian fishing game with RPG elements. The gameplay loop feels almost like a roguelike since it involves setting out to fish and making it back to port to sell fish and upgrade the ship before being forced to face the terrifying creatures of the night.
Ships are generally a great place for horror games, and Dredge is no exception. Dredge also feels extremely at home on the console, since steering the ship on Switch controls is very intuitive. There are plenty of mysteries to solve and strange fish to catch, all while teetering on the brink of insanity.
4 Darkest Dungeon
When Lovecraftian Horror Goes Roguelike
Darkest Dungeon
Darkest Dungeon is one of the best Lovecraftian-inspired games on the Switch and one of the most replayable thanks to being in the roguelike genre. The Switch's handheld capabilities also make it the perfect console for roguelikes, so Darkest Dungeon feels great on it.
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For players who are always on the go, these horror games run great on iPad, and are perfect for getting in a quick scare over lunch or on the bus.
Everything from the character designs to the narrator of the game hints at the Lovecraft mythos, and The Color Of Madness DLC is quite literally based in name and theme on The Color Out of Space by H.P. Lovecraft.
3 Alan Wake
Mystery And Investigation With A Surreal, Lovecraftian Atmosphere
Alan Wake Remastered
While not as on the nose as other Lovecraftian games, Alan Wake is definitely a Lovecraft game when you look at the story. Everything from the characters to the setting seems to draw inspiration from Lovecraft (mysterious unknown horror ravaging a town full of secrets.)
Alan Wake is perfect for Lovecraft fans wanting to experience a mysterious and supernatural story on the Nintendo Switch. Lovecraft fans will welcome the themes of insanity and mystique but may miss the tentacles.
2 The Sinking City
An Investigative Mystery With Direct Mythos References
The Sinking City
- Released
- June 27, 2019
- Developer(s)
- Frogwares
- Platform(s)
- PS4, Xbox One, PC, Switch, PS5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
It's no secret that abandoned and eerie cities make for terrifying game settings. The Sinking City is about as Lovecraftian as a game can get. It throws players into a sinking city as a detective and has them solve cases and combat horrifying creatures.
The Sinking City has many direct references to the Cthulhu and Lovecraft mythos, especially The Shadow over Innsmouth. The game plays very well on the Switch and Lovecraft fans will fall in love with the story.
1 Call of Cthulhu
About As Close To A Call Of Cthulhu Scenario As A Video Game Can Get
Call of Cthulhu
- Released
- October 30, 2018
- Developer(s)
- Cyanide Studio
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
Call of Cthulhu's namesake is quite literally based on Lovecraft's most famous novel and the most prominent cosmic horror figure in pop culture.
The setting is bleak, it's heavy, and it feels quite hopeless. The environment and the NPCs will both feel straight out of a Lovecraft novel. Call of Cthulhu is a great game for Lovecraft fans who want to immerse themselves in a Lovecraftian story, making it one of the best Lovecraftian experiences on the Nintendo Switch.
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