Call of Cthulu / Arkham Horror
The Locus (and Ludus) of Madness
A few months ago I went to my the game night at my FLGS and saw a grognard explaining a game to new attendees1. I mentally groaned, as this particular gamer has a tendency to introduce/suggest titles way too complex and long for even experienced gamers2. I shot a quick glance at the table and then … took another long look.
Richard Launius, Lynn Willis and Charlie Krank’s Arkham Horror might not be the greatest choice as an introductory game, but it isn’t horrible. First of all, it is one of the earliest co-operative board games, predating Lord of the Rings3 by over a decade. Players take the roles of supernatural investigators in H.P. Lovecraft’s Arkham setting, tracking down clues only to get sucked in way over their heads and have to travel to other dimensions, battle horrors, stay sane and close the gates to other worlds, possibly sacrificing all so that the rest of humanity can survive, oblivious to what horrible future awaits them.
As themes go, it is immensely popular. Lovecraft’s influence waxes and wanes as a theme in board games; Arkham Horror was one of the first and there must be hundreds by now. And not just board games … the X-Files would soon explode into the scene. You can argue how well this game (or the post-2000 reprint) does in creating the right atmosphere. For me, it captures the setting well enough; but never draws me in.
Unsurprisingly, mood is better handled in a Roleplaying Game. Arkham Horror was inspired by Call of Cthulu.
Sandy Petersen’s Call of Chtulu was based on a simplified version of RuneQuest, one of the numerous fantasy RPGs to spawn in the wake of Dungeons and Dragon’s success. But unlike in all those fantasy games, you aren’t a hero. Well, you might be, but you might just be a farmer who stumbled onto dark happenings in the woods. Or a private detective who took a picture of a cheating spouse and caught a glimpse of something more.
You didn’t level up. And if you happened to get a magical item; ooph, bad luck for you; as it was more “Monkey’s Paw” then “+2 Sword.” Call of Cthulu famously includes “Sanity” as a statistic …. and it gets worse over time. Because of this, the game is usually played as a single-session event (or a campaign of decidedly fixed duration). The change of setting, coupled with rules like Sanity that enforce the setting, made Call of Cthulu stand out in an overcrowded market. It’s a palate cleanser between sessions of delving dungeons.4
(Or perhaps D&D is an escape from the grim reality of a cold, uncaring universe).
Both the board game and RPG have withstood the test of time, going through edition after edition and spawning reprints. They try — and sometimes succeed — in capturing the horror and wonder that Lovecraft wrote about.
Does that mean that either (or both) should inducted into the Most Influential Games of the 20th Century? I’m not sure. Arkham Horror is certainly noteworthy for being one of the first co-operative games, but is theme to be rewarded? Well, that is the point of these articles. And those new gamers, set loose to investigate Arkham and save the world from horror?
They were never seen again.
“Friendly Local Game Store” and a term literally meaning “Grumbler/Complainer” used for old gamers (particularly wargamers).
I personally would like to play Age of Renaissance again, but there’s no way I’m starting a rules refresher for a 5+ hour game at 6pm … and as a new game for first timers? Woof!
I was aware of that when I wrote the 20th Century Project’s entry on Lord of the Rings.
And I remember bits of pieces of the game or two I played, including walking barefoot in an old wooden house and the boards creaking the word “Feet,” said with a particular longing.
Noting Beat the Clock (1954) as an early cooperative game as well, based on the TV show.
We used to play the depicted version of Arkham Horror a lot. If we survived it was a win for the team and a special mention for whoever managed to close the most gates.