Games Toaster: REVIEW: Call of Cthulhu Dark Corners of the Earth

Developer: Headfirst | Publisher: 2K (Take Two) | Format: Xbox

Reviewer: Craig Gallagher Capturing the immense feeling made by the mixture of fantasy, and horror that was H P Lovecraft's trademark couldn't have been easy. Dark Corners of the Earth does an amazing job. The hostile locals, the decaying buildings, the constant sense of dread – it all helps keep you permanently on edge in this dark fictional 1920s.

If like myself, you spent many a dark night immersed in the macabre world of H P Lovecraft then you will have no doubt been awaiting this often-delayed release, for, dare I say, aeons.

With a lack of on-screen information, this title follows the recent trend of not using a HUD (head-up display). The health system follows an older trend; you apply sutures and take painkiller injections instead of health packs.

But despite all this the game soon descends into repetitive stealth and gunplay. The strong narrative just about saves the game. If only the developers had gone down the less trodden path, and delivered a truly original game.

It won't appeal to all, in the same way Lovecraft’s writings won’t. The game’s mood and feel should be enough to reward his fans.

A PS2 version of this game with the same developer and publisher as listed above is set for release in ‘Spring 2006’. Meanwhile, Ubisoft’s current release list includes a listing simply for ‘Call of Cthulhu’ in March for PC. An industry only site states the developer Headfirst has also planned Call of Cthulhu games subtitled ‘Beyond the Mountains of Madness’ (Xbox, PC), Destiny's End (PC), and ‘Tainted Legacy’ with no listed format or release date.