From Press Release:
Lesquin, France, March 25, 2026 – With less than a month to go before the release of Cthulhu: The Cosmic Abyss, NACON and the studio Big Bad Wolf today unveiled a new gameplay trailer detailing various game mechanics. Through his investigation, Noah and his AI companion, KEY, are confronted with unspeakable and untold horrors. Discover more about this narrative investigation game before its release on April 16th on PlayStation®5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
In this new trailer, KEY, Noah’s AI assistant, introduces the oppressive universe in which Noah, an investigator specializing in occult cases, operates. He reaches the gates of the mythical sunken city of R’lyeh, where the most terrifying of the Great Old Ones is trapped, following a major discovery by the mining company Ocean-I, whose expedition is now missing…
To uncover the truths hidden in this city, the player must use their wits and leverage KEY’s abilities.
The trailer highlights several mechanics:
- Clue Analysis: Analyze or handle an object to find clues and advance the investigation. Each analysis teaches the player more about an object’s composition and unlocks new frequencies for the sonar, allowing them to track other elements of similar composition.
- Energy: Analysis consumes energy. The player will need to use this resource carefully; if they run out and analyze objects, it will increase their corruption gauge. To recover energy, strange organic resources scattered here and there must be collected.
- The Vault: This database gathers all discovered clues and documents. It is an essential tool for solving puzzles by linking clues together to progress in the investigation.
- The Sonar: This multitasking tool allows progress in the dark by revealing hidden passages. The sonar can track discovered frequencies to find new clues by following certain leads. It also allows the player to reveal the invisible.
- Artifacts and Upgrades: Discover strange artifacts that allow you to upgrade some of your investigation tools with the help of KEY. But beware, these upgrades are vulnerable: they can be corrupted and destroyed by the player’s choices.
- Corruption Gauge: Every action or decision can increase the corruption level, gradually driving Noah into madness. This gauge will impact the course and conclusion of the investigation.
Cthulhu: The Cosmic Abyss is a narrative investigation game inspired by the universe of Lovecraft. In this frightening first-person thriller, the player embodies Noah, an agent of the Ancile, an office specializing in occult affairs, investigating the mysterious disappearance of miners in the heart of the Pacific Ocean. His research will plunge him into the depths of the immense labyrinthine prison of R’lyeh, an ancient sunken city where Cthulhu is held captive. The player and their AI companion, KEY, will have to solve complex puzzles, make choices that will influence his destiny, and try to resist the corruption of the mind caused by the influence of Cthulhu.
Pre-orders on PlayStation®5 and Xbox Series X|S are now open!
Cthulhu: The Cosmic Abyss will be available on PlayStation®5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, and on nacongaming.com on April 16, 2026.
Find more information on the game’s Steam page.
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