Lovecraft Game

This game, which originally had no title at all, is Cactus' entry for the TIGSource Commonplace Book contest.

It's an extremely simple exploration/action game. You are a nameless wanderer in a nameless land, populated by dangerous creatures and strange characters. Tree-lined paths lead in all directions, though it's up to you whether you follow them. You control your character using the standard WASD keys, and move the camera and targeting reticule with the mouse. If you run into trouble, you have a couple of weapons at your disposal; a machinegun (LMB) and shotgun (RMB). Both have infinite ammunition.

At times, messages will appear onscreen, relating what your character hears or thinks. You can speak to non-hostile characters by walking up to them. All text appears on 'cards' in the style of a silent movie. In fact, the whole game looks like an ancient black and white film, on degraded stock, covered with dirt and grain and viewed through a fish-eye lens. The visuals resemble crude hand-drawn sketches, shakily animated.

The game ends when you die, or when you have seen everything and talked to everyone. Many of H.P. Lovecraft's ideas and themes are featured.