Spooky Lovecraftian Secrets Hidden In Video Games

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Key Takeaways

  • Lovecraft’s influence in video games like The Elder Scrolls 4 is evident in hidden references like A Shadow Over Hackdirt.
  • Fallout 4 features a sinister quest inspired by Lovecraft’s Pickman’s Model , immersing players in eerie scenarios.
  • Games like The Witcher incorporate Lovecraftian elements, such as fighting the sea monster Dagon, adding depth to gameplay.

As a seasoned gamer and literature enthusiast, I must say that this article is a treasure trove for those who appreciate both gaming and the works of H.P. Lovecraft. It’s fascinating to see how these old gods and cosmic horrors have seeped into the fabric of various video games, each one offering a unique interpretation of Lovecraft’s eldritch entities.

The works of H.P. Lovecraft, particularly those centered around Cthulhu Mythos, have left a lasting impact on horror, peculiar tales, and storytelling. His unique approach, often referred to as ‘cosmic terror,’ revolves around the idea that the universe doesn’t care about humanity’s struggles. The realms he created, filled with ancient deities, mysterious spells, and sinister cults, have captivated readers since their debut, and the horrors he conjured have been echoed in numerous other books, films, and video games through various references.

Some of these subtle Lovecraft allusions might escape notice unless one is well-versed in the author’s work or diligent enough to seek them out. Here lies a collection of the most intriguing Lovecraftian easter eggs hidden within video games.

6. The Elder Scolls 4: Oblivion – A Shadow Over Hackdirt

A Shadow Over Innsmouth

In essence, “The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion” is a game brimming with hidden gems and enigmas for players to explore. The backdrop of “Oblivion,” vast as it is, might seem slightly outdated today, but enthusiasts of the series often regard it as the peak of the series. One of the quests adored by fans, titled “Shadow Over Hackdirt,” subtly echoes H.P. Lovecraft’s short story, “The Shadow Over Innsmouth.

All subtlety goes out the window very quickly, though, when players find out that an NPC has been kidnapped and the perpetrators are pale humanoids with big eyes who worship some kind of ocean deity. The whole area is a spooky send-up of Lovecraft’s fish village and will be a charming find for any Cthulhu fan.

5. Fallout 4 – Pickman’s Gift

Pickman’s Model

A game from Bethesda, brimming with subtle tributes to the Mythos, is Fallout 4. Each Fallout installment is rich with references and roleplay opportunities, but Fallout 4 introduces a murderer bearing the same name as a cryptic painter in Lovecraft’s “Pickman’s Model.” The quest line, which involves visiting the artist serial killer, has an unsettling atmosphere and presents the possibility of the Sole Survivor saving this character.

Pickman is a ruthless artist who murders for his craft, echoing the chilling revelation in Lovecraft’s tale that his character, Pickman, may have witnessed the gruesome scenes depicted in his work firsthand. This enigmatic, malevolent non-player character (NPC) can be collaborated with and offers a powerful melee weapon, making him all the more unsettling to those who understand the reference.

4. Code Name: S.T.E.A.M – Professor Randolph Carter

The Statement Of Randolph Carter

Among Lovecraft’s lasting human characters is Randolph Carter, who serves as the protagonist in “The Statement of Randolph Carter.” This character, a student at Miskatonic University, appeared in several other stories, notably those centered around the Dreamlands. Over time, Carter developed a deep understanding of the Mythos, which is skillfully depicted in the game “Code Name: S.T.E.A.M..

In a fantasy world that mirrors Victorian London but is fueled by steam technology, this city encounters threats from beyond our universe. To counteract this danger, well-known literary characters unite in battle. Although the allusion to Lovecraft’s writing might not be immediately apparent when compared to characters such as the Scarecrow and the Lion from The Wizard of Oz, the inclusion of Carter as a playable eldritch expert will undoubtedly excite fans of Lovecraft who can identify him.

3. Mass Effect – The Old Machines

The Old Ones

In the Mass Effect series, it’s challenging to identify the Reapers, one of the primary antagonists, as they often recur. This can be a tricky reference for players. Interestingly, the Reapers are also known as The Old Machines, which might remind fans of H.P. Lovecraft’s Great Old Ones. These extraterrestrial beings are so technologically superior that they seem devoid of empathy and compassion entirely.

As a gamer, I find myself pondering over the enigmatic beings known as the Reapers. For eons, they lie dormant, only to awaken and bring destruction upon civilizations. Their reasons remain shrouded in mystery, beyond the grasp of lesser beings like us players. Often referred to as “dead gods,” these cosmic entities seem to dream on a scale so vast that it echoes the power wielded by Cthulhu and the Great Old Ones in Lovecraft’s mythos. In the grand universe of Mass Effect, the Reapers stand tall as the ancient deities, their influence as profound as the tales spun around those fearsome entities in Lovecraftian lore.

2. South Park: The Fractured But Whole – Shub-Niggurath, The Old One

The Mound

As a comedy-style roleplaying game that satirizes genre tropes, South Park: The Fractured But Whole surprisingly evolves into a challenging and tactical game near the end of its narrative. Players assume the roles of superhero vigilantes, exploring South Park, encountering famous characters, preventing crime, and participating in mischief.

Towards the close of the game, stronger adversaries emerge who players need to confront. When their team winds up inside a police station, they’ll descend beneath it to engage Shub-Niggurath, one of Lovecraft’s Old Ones and his creature most often used in other Mythos writings. This boss is particularly difficult and can only be defeated by offering it characters that are unpalatable to it.

1. The Witcher – Dagon And His Followers

Dagon

In the initial installment of The Witcher saga, you’ll encounter an expansive title brimming with undiscovered optional battles and hidden quests. A significant part of the main narrative involves Geralt engaging in combat against a deity from the Deep Ones. As Chapter 4 unfolds near the climax of the game’s tale, Geralt is assigned to safeguard a hamlet called Murky Waters. It’s during this chapter that he discovers proof of a cult that reveres a sea beast known as Dagon.

In combat, Dagon cannot be harmed directly but can be forced back underwater by vanquishing his loyal cultists. The Witcher needs to summon Dagon through a blood ritual for a fascinating nod to the works of H.P. Lovecraft, a reference that might have been missed by some gamers. For those unaware, Dagon are one of Lovecraft’s creations, Deep Ones, and their inclusion is a significant homage.

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2024-12-01 12:34