Conarium (video game)
A Lovecraftian horror adventure set in an Antarctic research base.
Conarium is a Lovecraftian horror adventure video game, drawing inspiration from H. P. Lovecraft's novella *At the Mountains of Madness*. It was created by Turkish developer Zoetrope Interactive and brought to market by Dutch indie publisher Iceberg Interactive. The game launched on Microsoft Windows in June 2017, with later ports to Linux and macOS in 2018, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One in 2019, and the Nintendo Switch in 2021.
The story centers on four scientists who attempt to push past the usual boundaries of nature, using a device called the Conarium to transcend human consciousness. Players take on the role of Frank Gilman, one of these scientists, who wakes up alone in the Antarctic research base Upuaut. A strange device on the table in his room emits odd noises and pulsating light, and Gilman has no memory of what happened before he lost consciousness. Exploring the abandoned base and its surroundings, he must find out what became of the other expedition members, while experiencing strange visions and dreams that feel like memories he cannot identify.
Gameplay is from a first-person perspective, requiring players to explore the environment and solve puzzles to uncover the mystery. They can find and examine notes, journals, and other documents scattered throughout the base.
Zoetrope Interactive, a Turkish indie studio with three members—Galip Kartoğlu, Onur Şamlı, and Oral Şamlı—developed Conarium. The team had previously worked on *Darkness Within: In Pursuit of Loath Nolder* and *Darkness Within 2: The Dark Lineage*, also published by Iceberg Interactive. Originally announced in 2015 under the title “Mountains of Madness,” the game was signed by Iceberg Interactive in July 2016. It was built using Unreal Engine 4. After a favorable reception from PC gamers, console versions for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One followed in February 2019.
According to review aggregator Metacritic, Conarium received "mixed or average" reviews. *The Telegraph* praised its Lovecraftian atmosphere, calling it a must-play for fans and awarding it four out of five stars. *Polygon*’s Philip Kollar scored it 7.5 out of 10, noting it could have pushed deeper but stayed true to Lovecraft’s spirit. Chris Shive of *Hardcore Gamer* gave a positive review, highlighting the soundtrack for setting an ominous mood of dread.
Quick Facts
- Title
- Conarium
- Developer
- Zoetrope Interactive
- Publisher
- Iceberg Interactive
- Designer
- Onur Şamlı · Oral Şamlı · Galip Kartoğlu
- Programmer
- Galip Kartoğlu
- Composer
- Onur Şamlı · Oral Şamlı
- Engine
- Unreal Engine 4
- Platforms
- Windows · Linux · macOS · PlayStation 4 · Xbox One · Nintendo Switch
- Released
- Windows · June 6, 2017 · Linux, Mac · February 5, 2018 · PS4, Xbox One · February 12, 2019 · Switch · February 4, 2021
- Genre
- Adventure, horror
- Modes
- Single-player
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Conarium was developed by Zoetrope Interactive, a Turkish indie developer consisting of three members: Galip Kartoğlu, Onur Şamlı, and Oral Şamlı. They previously worked on Darkness Within: In Pursuit of Loath Nolder and Darkness Within 2: The Dark Lineage, also published by Iceberg Interactive. The game was originally announced as “Mountains of Madness” in 2015, and Iceberg Interactive signed it in July 2016. It was released on June 6, 2017 for Microsoft Windows, with Linux and macOS versions following on February 5, 2018. Console versions for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One were released on February 12, 2019, and a Nintendo Switch port arrived in 2021.
The plot follows four scientists who endeavor to challenge the absolute limits of nature by using a Conarium device to transcend human consciousness. The player controls Frank Gilman, who wakes up alone at the Upuaut research base in Antarctica with a strange device on a table emitting odd noises and pulsating lights. Gilman has no recollection of prior events and must explore the abandoned base and its surroundings to uncover what happened to the other scientists, experiencing strange visions and dreams that feel like unplaceable memories.
Gameplay is from a first-person perspective, requiring players to explore the environment and solve puzzles while finding and reading notes, journals, and other documents. The game was made using Unreal Engine 4.
Reader's Guide
Conarium was favorably received by PC gamers, leading to its console release on February 12, 2019 for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. According to review aggregator Metacritic, it received 'mixed or average' reviews. The Telegraph praised its Lovecraftian atmosphere, stating it stays true to the feel of the Cthulhu Mythos without retreading old ground, awarding it four out of five stars. Polygon's Philip Kollar noted the game could have pushed deeper but stays true to the spirit of Lovecraft's work, scoring it 7.5 out of 10. Chris Shive of Hardcore Gamer gave a positive review, calling attention to the soundtrack for setting an ominous mood of dread and effectively creating a Lovecraftian waking nightmare. Conarium was chosen to showcase at IndieCade Festival 2017. It won 'The Game of the Year' and 'Best PC Game' at the Kristal Piksel (Crystal Pixel) Video Game Awards 2017, an annual awards ceremony for the Turkish game industry.
Did You Know?
- Conarium was originally announced under the title 'Mountains of Madness' in 2015.
- The game was developed by a Turkish indie studio consisting of only three members.
- Conarium was showcased at IndieCade Festival 2017.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Conarium (video game)?
Conarium is a Lovecraftian horror adventure game set in an Antarctic research station, in which four scientists use a device to shatter the boundaries of human consciousness. It was built by Turkish studio Zoetrope Interactive and released by Dutch publisher Iceberg Interactive.
What inspired Conarium's story and tone?
The game channels the cosmic-horror sensibility of H. P. Lovecraft's novella *At the Mountains of Madness*, translating that sense of forbidden knowledge and eldritch dread into its own Antarctic setting.
Who developed and published Conarium?
Zoetrope Interactive, a Turkish development team, created the title, while Iceberg Interactive, a Dutch indie publisher, handled its commercial release. The game first shipped on Microsoft Windows in June 2017 before expanding to additional platforms over the next four years.
What platforms can I play Conarium on?
The title is available on Windows, Linux, macOS, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch, with ports rolling out between 2017 and 2021. It runs on Unreal Engine 4.
How did critics receive Conarium?
Reviews landed in the mixed-to-average range on Metacritic, with praise for its atmospheric dread and Lovecraftian themes offset by criticism of its adventure mechanics and pacing.
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