A Lovecraftian adventure-puzzle game
Conarium is an adventure-puzzle game with a strong narrative element. The game is inspired by the works of H.P. Lovecraft (specifically the novella “At the Mountains of Madness”) and, as such, contains themes of horror and visuals of an unsettling nature.
Lovecraft’s work has inspired many games similar to Conarium, such as Dream Cycle and Forgive Me Father. Like those games, this one contains surreal elements and visuals. It also offers multiple endings depending on how the player approaches the game.
Explore an Antarctic base
In Conarium, the player takes on the role of Frank Gilman, a male protagonist who opens his eyes to find the room he’s in is filled with strange lights and noises. The player must explore the deserted place they find themselves in. As they do, they will learn more about the situation they are in and how they have been fundamentally changed.
First-person exploration
The game takes place from a first-person perspective and features some visually impressive settings and graphics thanks to its Unreal Engine 4 foundations. The whole game is suffused with a feeling of eerie suspense and features many Easter eggs referencing H.P. Lovecraft’s works. These elements, combined with the multiple endings, encourage the player to explore.
A well-crafted narrative experience
Though Conarium finds itself in something of a golden age for short horror game experiences, it does not rely on jumpscares as much as many of its contemporaries. Players who are interested in the works of H.P. Lovecraft will almost certainly find something to enjoy about this game, while general fans of horror games will probably still find the experience interesting.