Lovecraftian horror is a compelling subgenre that delivers a unique and ominous tone, especially when incorporated in games that don't quite qualify as horror games themselves. Influenced by the writings of H. P. Lovecraft, there have been multiple video game genres that have explored this specific brand of cosmic horror.
Best Lovecraftian Soulslike Games, Ranked
Lovecraft's unique brand of cosmic horror and Soulslike video game genre's brand of inscrutable lore were practically made for each other.
Some players may even be surprised to see that strategy games have also been influenced by Lovecraft to make for some compelling titles that cause players to think strategically, rather than a sharp focus on the fear caused by such monsters. These are by far the best Lovecraftian strategy games available for players eager to explore cosmic horror with a strategic mind.
5 The Tribe Must Survive
Base Building Strategies In A Lovecraftian Stone Age
- Platform(s): PC
- Released: 2024-05-23
- Developer: Walking Tree Games GmbH
- Genres: Simulation, Strategy
Starting off strong, The Tribe Must Survive delivers a unique take on the typical Lovecraftian setting. Many titles that are inspired by the workings of H. P. Lovecraft are often set in the Victorian period or are heavily inspired by the turn toward industrialization.
However, The Tribe Must Survive takes cosmic horror much further back in time, encouraging players to survive in the Stone Age while surrounded by these horrifying monsters. To avoid these dangers, players must use the base building strategy element of the title to create structures that will keep the horrors away from their tribe while also managing the various fears from within to give their tribe even more of a chance to flourish.
4 Dread Nautical
Work With Survivors To Fight Off Monsters From Another Dimension
- Platform(s): PC
- Released: 2020-10-27
- Developer: Zen Studios
- Genres: RPG
When a cruise goes wrong and monsters from another dimension start to attack, it's up to the player to think strategically to recruit the other residents of the cruise to fight back against these Lovecraftian horrors. Zen Studios, the creators of Dread Nautical, consider the combat of this Lovecraftian title to be a tactical turn-based RPG.
The Best Video Games Inspired By H. P. Lovecraft
Cosmic horror can be a tough genre to get right, but the best modern horror games inspired by H.P. Lovecraft somehow make it look effortless.
This encourages players to think carefully about every battle they take part in, regularly needing to think three turns ahead to come out on top. Battles are only made harder by the desperate need for resources that will deteriorate over time. This keeps players from becoming sentimental about the weaponry they possess and forces them to keep their companions calm.
3 Cultist Simulator
Summon Alien Gods And Successfully Run A Cult
- Platform(s): PC, Switch, IOS, and Android
- Released: 2018-05-31
- Developer: Weather Factory
- Genres: Simulation
Cultist Simulator is arguably one of the hardest Lovecraftian games available, especially due to its challenging strategy elements. In Cultist Simulator, it is up to the player to successfully grow their cult while keeping it hidden from the police as they work toward uncovering alien artifacts and the possibility of summoning their own god that they have been worshiping.
Players are able to create their very own Lovecraftian cult, though it isn't as easy as it sounds. The player must not only pay attention to the timing of the steps they perform, but must also manage multiple steps at once while also ensuring their cult doesn't fall apart in the process.
2 The Thaumaturge
Use Ethereal Entities In Battle
The Thaumaturge
The Thaumaturge is a Lovecraftian game filled with mysterious ethereal monsters that the players have control of when taking part in isometric tactical battles while exploring a supernatural Warsaw in 1905.
With various monsters to control, better known as salutors, players have countless ways to build their team and their protagonist, Wiktor Szulski, to make the most of the mystical abilities that further enhance the Lovecraftian feeling of 19th century Poland. Overall, The Thaumaturge makes for a compelling strategy RPG, where each and every choice — both in and out of the story — makes a difference and allows the player to shape the world and future battles.
1 Darkest Dungeon
Tactical Battles And Managing Sanity
Darkest Dungeon
Out of all the Lovecraftian-themed strategy games, the best has to be Darkest Dungeon. This title, with a striking art style, is predominantly a fantastic roguelike RPG, but the daedly dungeon battles players encounter require them to not only consider which party members to take with them, but also their position in the battle order.
Certain abilities can only be used when the party members are in a certain position, while players will also need to manage their team's fears and vices if they hope to see them not have a panic attack during their horrific dungeon delves. The Lovecraftian element of Darkest Dungeon comes from the gruesome enemies players face, as well as the end bosses that are exceedingly challenging.