Lovecraft is no stranger to video games – or games of any kind, really. In fact, there’s no shortage of H.P. Lovecraft-themed board games, though few have actually focused much on character and strategy over combat. With a Kickstarter for their new microgame Shadows of Arkham, developer Laboratory (who's versatile enough to make both physical and video games) hopes to bring arcane horror fans a more deliberate approach to the game’s well-read subject matter.
Unlike most games of the genre that attempt to directly battle the eldritch forces of Lovecraftian darkness – the ancient ones that are so powerful that humans aren’t really even on their radar – up to four players in Arkham have to work together using both brains and brawn to simply survive the evil growing in the author’s most famous setting.
With their previous Kickstarter successes Provinceand Shift(among a lot of other projects in various states of completion), the two-man Laboratory has shown a knack for distilling thoughtful ideas and intricate technique into fun and easy-to-learn design.
The same is true of Arkham – here ideas like roughing up boozy bar patrons for information and keeping an eye on your sanity level are easily handled within a few simple actions, and the game’s pace moves quickly as Arkham is more (or less) consumed by various types of otherworldly corruption.
Also, it’s worth noting that Sam Strick, half of Laboratory (and creator of the clever Scroll Down To Riker), is a damn fine artist and did all of Arkham’s art himself. If you want Laboratory to keep making creative indie games, this microgame makes a strong case – and with 10 days left and $10,000 short of its $25,000 goal, Arkham could use the support.
It may not be a next-gen digital successor to Call of Cthulhu – that beastie's mired in copyright issues despite much of Lovecraft being public domain – but if a smart, strategic game dealing with forces of untold terror sounds up your alley, you may want to consider pledging. You can do so via the link below.
[Via Kickstarter]
