Cthulhu Keeper is an eldritch management sim mixed with tactical missions straight out of Commandos

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It’s exciting to witness the Lovecraftian style moving beyond board games and into video games with a significant impact. While it’s easy to simply attach some Cthulhu-themed horror to a game, this concept can thrive in various genres if the developers have a strong vision. This one, Cthulhu Keeper, is truly a wonderful blend, so let me present it to you. As the Great Dreamer himself might say: “In his house at R’lyeh, dead Cthulhu waits dreaming.

If Cult of the Lamb and Commandos had a weird, tentacled baby

I’ll be adding this game to my list of upcoming Lovecraftian titles to keep an eye on. To be honest, I haven’t encountered anything quite like a Cthulhu-themed Commandos unit before. The game, known as “Cthulhu Keeper,” developed by Finnish studio Kuuasema, combines real-time tactics with dungeon construction. This means you get to manage and strategize, which happen to be two aspects I really enjoy.

In 1920, the game casts us as a cult leader with the mission of reviving long-forgotten nightmares. To begin with, our task is to construct an underground sanctuary, as it’s essential that we provide a cozy and familiar environment for the summoning of otherworldly entities.

In the next phase, we’ll delegate cult members for excavating chambers, establishing ritual sites, and constructing a labyrinth befitting the terrors it conceals – standard cult activities, if you will. However, it’s crucial that we strategically design our sanctuary with defenses to deter unwanted visitors, not only law enforcement and investigators, but also envious rival cults as well. After all, our cult is bound to be superior to theirs.

Have I shared that we’ll be able to call upon Pokémon inspired by Lovecraftian creatures? These beings will prove vital for the challenging assignments: infiltrating hostile territories, neutralizing threats, and retrieving prohibited relics to advance our sinister objectives. Each assignment presents a unique challenge, such as apprehending a valuable target or escaping undetected. Moreover, we can tailor our monsters by equipping them with useful items and eerie abilities.

As we advance, we’ll uncover old books filled with hidden wisdom, which will help expand our power throughout the city. Our cult members will subtly share this knowledge, attracting more supporters to our movement. Meanwhile, our exploration down the research tree reveals potent enhancements and unspeakable terrors, while the narrative immerses us further into the chilling, distorted realm of Cthulhu lore.

Currently, the game titled “Cthulhu Keeper” is available for playtesting on Steam. If you’re intrigued, feel free to take a look! I was able to gain access quickly, so there’s a good chance you won’t have to wait either.

In simpler terms, “I’ve always been curious about playing a Lovecraftian game from the antagonist’s perspective.” This conveys the original meaning while using more accessible language.

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2025-05-17 21:32