Experience a free Lovecraft visual novel in Dagon

Horror inspired by the works of Lovecraft is so commonplace these days, that it should probably have its own genre: a blend of cosmic horror that touches on sights so unimaginably perverse, that it often drives its characters to sheer hysteria. It’s this power of the unknown terror that renders its scares so effective, even if its monsters are predominantly unseen, or its presence merely hinted at.

Dagon doesn’t break the mould, nor does it want to; instead, it seeks to be a faithful adaptation–if not an exact retelling–of the Lovecraft’s short story that bears the same name. It’s a straightforward premise with barely any gimmicks or distractions: the protagonist will tell his story, as you take a gander around the environments while paying close attention to the horrifying tale. Exploration is limited to just looking around your surroundings, at least according to the demo; you won’t be able to wander about. 

The key difference between Dagon and other Lovecraftian games, however, is that there are some trivias tucked away in corners of the game’s digital environments, which divulges some context and insights into the author’s background and inspirations. For instance, Lovecraft is famously adverse to seafood and marine life. It’s a phobia that found its way into the world of Dagon, where the narrator would openly baulk at the smell and rot of the sea–a fascinating glimpse into Lovecraft’s fractured mind.

Dagon: by H.P. Lovecraft will see a free release–as well as in VR mode–on 20 August. You can try a free short demo on Steam as well.