Conarium 2017

About

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.

Story

"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…"

What is happening now

Conarium is a puzzle-adventure game steeped in Lovecraftian horror, available across PC, Mac, Linux, and consoles. The game explores cosmic dread themes typical of H.P. Lovecraft's work through environmental puzzles and narrative exploration. The game has maintained a steady presence since its 2017 release, with recent coverage noting its availability through Amazon Prime Gaming. Critical reception has been middling, with Metacritic and IGDB aggregates hovering around 71-72 percent, though user ratings skew lower at 61 percent across IGDB's tracking.