Conarium

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Summary

Conarium is a chilling Lovecraftian game, which follows a gripping story involving four scientists and their endeavor to challenge what we normally consider to be the ‘absolute’ limits of nature. Inspired by H.P. Lovecraft’s novella "At the Mountains of Madness", but largely set after the original story.

You, as Frank Gilman, open your eyes inside a room filled with strange, pulsating noises. Patterns of lights executing a Danse Macabre on the walls is presented by a queer device on the table. Having recalled nothing other than that you’re in Upuaut, an Antarctic base located near south pole, you find the place deserted and have a distinct feeling of something being terribly wrong. Somehow knowing that your memories cannot guide you enforces a strange feeling of vulnerability, a familiar yet alien sensation of being a part of a peculiar whole... Soon you will discover that having used the device during the expedition, you have died but then returned subtly changed, speaking of strange memories and of strange places. You have lost something important or gained something sinister...

Explore the antarctic base, as well as dreams and visions. Study clues, unlock secrets but avoid macabre beings at all cost.

Storyline

"As Frank Gilman, a member of the Anthropology Department in the Miskatonic University, you have taken part in the Upuaut expedition led by Dr. Faust, attempting to pass beyond the limits of human consciousness by using a device called Conarium.

When you find yourself regaining consciousness, you are alone in the Antarctic expedition base, and you remember nothing. Soon you will discover that having used the device during the expedition, you have died but then returned subtly changed, speaking of strange memories and of strange places. You have lost something important or gained something sinister…"


Conarium Activation Instructions

Conarium Reviews & Ratings

60
Review by SenorKoquonfaes [user]
November 22, 2019

The game is primarily a Lovecraftian-style walking simulator with a few puzzle solving elements. Some of the puzzles are perfectly straightThe game is primarily a Lovecraftian-style walking simulator with a few puzzle solving elements. Some of the puzzles are perfectly straight forward, but there was a calligraphy based one and a light based one that were both rather inane with the clues not being a whole lot of help.From a visual standpoint, the game is equal parts beautiful and creepy. It does a great job of building an eerie and mysterious atmosphere as well as nailing the subtly in it's horror elements through it's visuals and audio design. The development of the game was done by 3 people, so I'm impressed the game looks and plays as well as it does. The publisher is only 13 people strong, so good work all around.The game is rather short, I completed my play through in a little under 3 and half hours. The game is also very linear, occasionally a branching path will pop up as a means to find a collectible, but then it's right back onto the main path.The main character's voice acting is pretty brutal, which is unfortunate because the game's sound design is well done. Funny enough, the game offers a "Silent Mode" which doesn't allow the main character to provide commentary throughout the game.The game has two endings and I'm not a fan of either one of them. The endings are separated by making a binary choice and then solving an extra puzzle. They both end the game rather abruptly and come across as fairly ambiguous as to what's concluded within the story.

75
Review by Gaming Age
April 11, 2019

Sure, you need to mute it to really get into it, but once you do that, you should find that Conarium offers an enjoyably creepy experience.

60
Review by XBLA Fans
March 26, 2019

As a horror walking sim adventure, it hardly barely reached it’s potential to keep the player engaged. With no clues or help along the way, it’s a blind struggle to figure out what to do next. It’s not a bad game, and with a few added tweaks it would be much better.

70
Review by TrueAchievements
February 19, 2019

Covering horror as often as I do, I know by now the telltale signs of a horror game that is little more than a walking sim with a few scripted door slammings. Conarium thankfully rises above this regularly faulty approach by including just enough actual threats to keep players on their toes. It is still an adventure game in part, but it gets that part mostly right too thanks to a good atmosphere and a story worth following whether or not you've read its original inspiration from H.P. Lovecraft. Puzzles and controls leave a lot to be desired, but Conarium does much else well, making it an easy recommendation for any fans of the author.

72
Review by SomosXbox
February 16, 2019

Conarium plunges us in the purest Lovecraftian universe. Cosmic horror, unknown civilizations and mystery are the pillars of the game. The story can be tedious sometimes and puzzles are not really challenging. But if you want a cosmic horror adventure, you should give it a try.

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Game Information
Release Date June 6, 2017
Publisher Zoetrope Interactive, Iceberg Interactive
Content Rated T (Teen)
Game Modes Single player
Player Perspectives First person
Genres Puzzle, Adventure, Indie
Themes Horror
Platforms Linux, PC (Microsoft Windows), Mac, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch