10 Best Cosmic Horror Games

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Wow, the chilling cosmos! There’s no other horror subgenre quite like it, able to stir feelings of deep-rooted fear and uncertainty as effectively.

Primarily influenced by H.P. Lovecraft’s writings, this subgenre revolves around themes that evoke fear of the unknown, prohibited wisdom, utter seclusion, madness, and the chilling presence of entities so terrifying they exceed human comprehension. It certainly has its appeal!

A favorite quote of mine from Lovecraft resonates deeply with me, “Fear, the most primal and enduring emotion in humanity, stems from the unknown.” This sentiment encapsulates the core concept of cosmic horror.

As a dedicated fan myself, I can’t help but share my excitement! It’s truly heartening to see the Lovecraftian subgenre expanding its reach in various media platforms, including the gaming industry. We’ve been blessed with games that masterfully evoke Lovecraftian terror, offering us chilling and unmissable experiences. Let’s delve deeper into these games together, as we explore their intricacies.

10.
Eldritch

Cosmic Horror Kind Of Cute?

Don’t let its adorable, chunky visuals deceive you. Eldritch is a tough survival game that combines elements of roguelikes and immersive sims. In this game, you are imprisoned within a baffling library, and your mission is to discover an escape route.

To do this, you should delve into intricately designed labyrinths, which could uncover hidden relics from the past or transport you to peculiar realms. You’ll encounter numerous unsuspected terrors along the way, armed with assorted weapons, unique artifacts, and even mystical powers. Additionally, there are cleverly crafted stealth segments to navigate as well.

This game offers an intriguing blend of Lovecraftian horror and Minecraft-like elements, and I strongly suggest it for those who delight in navigating complex mazes. However, the game is relatively brief and straightforward, as it can typically be completed within two hours. This brevity might leave you yearning for additional content once the game concludes.

9.
Dagon: by H.P. Lovecraft

Gotta Love A Freebie

The game titled “Dagon: by H.P. Lovecraft” is freely accessible and reimagines the occurrences from one of H.P. Lovecraft’s early works, “Dagon,” which was penned in 1917.

This interactive story immerses you in a brief, narratively engaging journey that allows you to delve into the chilling sensation of becoming lost at sea, a fear deeply rooted in the author’s mind. As you navigate through this experience, keep an eye out for a menacing sea creature, hinting at the presence of some malevolent sea deity.

I must admit, this is another phobia I harbor, and merely contemplating it sends shivers down my spine. For individuals like myself, such a scenario can be absolutely petrifying.

To put it simply, this game is definitely worth giving a try, particularly due to its meticulously designed settings which offer an intense and captivating ambiance. It serves as an engaging means to delve into the creative world of the game’s developer.

8.
Conarium

Yeah, Science

Exploring a unique angle, Conarium stands as a psychological horror video game that can be considered a spiritual sequel to one of H.P. Lovecraft’s renowned works, “At the Mountains of Madness,” first penned in 1931 and among his most famous stories.

The initial narrative revolves around an exploration team’s journey to Antarctica, where they stumble upon the remnants of a city constructed by an ancient extraterrestrial race known as the Elder Things. In Conarium, the plot unfolds many years later, placing you, the player, in the role of Frank Gilman, one of the expedition members.

The game features numerous exploratory stages and intricate brain-teasers; it chronicles the journey of Gilman and his team of three researchers, who strive to surpass natural boundaries… until events take a chaotic turn.

This brief yet captivating journey is filled with nods to the timeless tale, making it well worth exploring.

7.
Moons of Madness

Lost In Space And Time

Moons of Madness offers a Lovecraftian journey through the cosmos, unfolding on a cryptic depiction of Mars – a setting that promises excitement just by hearing about it, and indeed delivers!

The narrative places the participant in the position of a space explorer tasked with uncovering the origin of strange transmissions emanating from Mars. Upon arrival, they will encounter some ominous secrets buried deep within its past.

Essentially, this is a psychological horror game that progressively creates an intense and oppressive ambiance, leaving players feeling anxious from start to finish.

Additionally, it leaves you pondering about the main character’s mental state, as you unearth the chilling secrets hidden just below the facade.

6.
Call of Cthulhu

Finally, Cthulhu

I often find myself characterizing Call of Cthulhu as an oddly cumbersome yet captivating mystery game that beautifully encapsulates the spirit of cosmic terror for me.

The story unfolds with a private investigator being enlisted for a peculiar case – the inexplicable demise of an entire family residing on a secluded island. Upon arrival, it swiftly becomes clear to him that the residents are experiencing bizarre and unusual occurrences.

This game offers a captivating storyline filled with intriguing puzzles and various conclusions, yet even if you ignore its unique plot twists, the immersive environment makes it a journey worth taking.

Furthermore, just as the title implies, certain mysteries are directly linked to the legendary entity known as Cthulhu, a creation of H.P. Lovecraft that has earned widespread fame.

5.
The Sinking City

True Madness Experience

Although The Sinking City sports an open-world design, its narrative follows a predominantly linear path and draws heavy influence from the chilling tales of H.P. Lovecraft, particularly the captivating Cthulhu mythology.

In this scenario, you assume the position of an investigator, tasked with delving into the mystery of a once-thriving town that now lies in ruins, as its residents inexplicably succumbed to madness.

Yet, he hadn’t anticipated that he too would succumb to the same insanity as he delved deeper into solving the enigma.

This game stands out as one of the top choices in cosmic horror, offering an engaging narrative, a chilling Sherlock Holmes-esque ambiance, and a dash of psychological fright. It’s perfect for those relaxing Wednesday nights.

4.
Darkest Dungeon

Gothic Players, Arise

Darkest Dungeon is an intricate, challenging turn-based role-playing game that’s particularly rewarding for fans of games in the “Soulsborne” genre and those with a penchant for cosmic dread, much like my own preferences.

In a gothic aesthetic, the narrative unfolds about a band of individuals who must endure and cope with mental strain as they embark on perilous journeys aimed at vanquishing sinister creatures that dwell within ominous woodlands, forgotten mazes, and decayed catacombs.

The aspect of this game that really captivates me is how it successfully encapsulates the eerie, Lovecraftian atmosphere in its gameplay mechanics.

One notable aspect is that the game requires players to oversee not just their primary character’s emotional well-being, but also monitor the mental stability of the entire team. This additional layer creates a profound psychological tension in each choice made by the player.

3.
World of Horror

Lovecraft Meets Junji Ito

The World of Horror offers a distinctive adventure, as it takes substantial influence not just from H.P. Lovecraft’s literature but also from Junji Ito, a renowned and powerful modern horror manga artist. Indeed, I’m quite fond of his work. Any clue where you picked up on my admiration?

To clarify, the game is essentially an interactive story, heavily reliant on exploration and puzzles, which offers a vintage 1-bit visual style. The experience seems almost as if you’re delving into a comic book immersed in a world of Cthulhu mythos.

In this captivating game, I find myself immersed in a quaint Japanese village, where long-dormant deities have mysteriously stirred, setting off a chain of baffling occurrences. My mission is to unravel the mystery behind these events and devise a way to halt the chaos without succumbing to it myself.

2.
Look Outside

Or Better, Don’t

Developer Francis Coulombe
Release Date March 21, 2025
Platform PC
Genre Survival horror, role-playing

Developed single-handedly, Look Outside is a unique survival role-playing game that blends the eerie atmosphere of Undertale with cosmic horror. It excels in catching players off guard with bizarre, chilling, and sometimes humorous instances.

The narrative of the game unfolds within a solitary apartment complex, as events in the universe begin to transpire overhead. Anyone venturing outdoors loses their sanity (you’ve got that right) and may transform into something that is no longer human.

As an engaged spectator, finding myself fortuitously jobless, I find myself in a unique position to step out of my humble abode and delve into the enigmatic world beyond. The allure of unraveling the mystery that lurks within this building has never been stronger, and I can’t help but wonder what otherworldly events are unfolding right outside my doorstep.

This situation often leaves the player in bizarre encounters with neighbors, whose identities have undergone a transformation.

1.
Bloodborne

Soulsbornecraftian

Lo and behold, our champion! Bloodborne is an action role-playing game created by the esteemed Japanese studio FromSoftware, offering all the challenges you’d anticipate from a Soulsborne challenging gameplay, numerous bosses to vanquish, and expansive semi-open environments to traverse.

The entire experience unfolds within a realm heavily influenced by the overarching theme of cosmic horror, showcasing an extraordinary gothic ambiance and a narrative that seamlessly embodies the sensation of dread towards the enigmatic. As we progress through the game, we’re subtly controlled by entities beyond human understanding, all while grappling with intense psychosis.

In Bloodborne, you won’t find a literal adaption of Lovecraft’s stories, but it offers one of the most authentic Lovecraftian horror encounters I’ve experienced.

This game is so captivating, I’d give just about anything for the chance to experience it all over again, as if I were playing it for the very first time. It’s a genuine masterpiece.

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2025-06-11 00:22