From Press Release:
Lesquin, France, April 16, 2026 – NACON and the studio Big Bad Wolf are pleased to announce the release of their new narrative investigation and psychological horror game, Cthulhu: The Cosmic Abyss.
Players take on the role of Noah, an occult investigator, tasked with unraveling the mystery of the disappearance of miners in the depths of the Pacific Ocean. An investigation that will lead him to the gates of the sunken city of R’lyeh, depicted for the first time in a video game.
With Cthulhu: The Cosmic Abyss, the studio delivers its most ambitious project to date, now available on PlayStation®5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
A futuristic reimagining of the Lovecraftian universe
The investigation takes place in 2053, in a world where natural resources are depleting, and natural disasters are multiplying. This situation pushes industrial giants to scour the seabed in search of rare materials. Noah, an investigator specializing in occult cases, is assigned a new mission in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, where an underwater mining station is no longer responding.
Noah is accompanied by his personal artificial intelligence, KEY, a true psychological safeguard who, in the face of growing horror, preserves his lucidity and prevents him from sinking into madness.
The fascinating city of R’lyeh in all its cyclopean splendor
In Cthulhu: The Cosmic Abyss, players enter R’lyeh, the prison-city of Cthulhu, for the first time. Designed as a trap that defies all human logic, its unbelievable architecture bewilders players. As they progress, the player’s sanity is put to the test in this environment that should never have been explored by Humankind.
This palpable tension is reinforced by the encounters Noah has as he advances through the city, such as the Shoggoth that connoisseurs will recognize.
The immersion in this world is perfected by the musical compositions of Nicolas Garcia. Performed notably by cellist Tina Guo. They act as the very pulse of R’lyeh, highlighting Noah’s inexorable progression towards madness.
The player at the center of an investigation game with supernatural dimensions.
In his quest for the truth, Noah uses various tools provided by KEY:
- Clue Analysis: Analyzing or manipulating an object provides Noah with important information thanks to KEY’s knowledge. Each analysis reveals an object’s composition and unlocks new frequencies for the sonar, allowing for the tracking of other elements with a similar composition.
- The Sonar: This multitasking tool allows for progression in the dark by revealing hidden passages. The sonar can exploit discovered frequencies to find new clues by following certain tracks. It also allows the player to reveal the invisible.
- Energy: Analyzing consumes energy. Noah must use this resource carefully: if he runs out while analyzing objects, his corruption gauge increases. Energy recovery is linked to an organic resource scattered throughout the game.
- The Vault: This is where KEY gathers all the clues and documents discovered. It is an essential tool for solving puzzles by unlocking important deductions to advance the investigation.
- Artifacts and Upgrades: The player discovers strange artifacts that can improve some of the investigation tools. But be careful, these upgrades are vulnerable: they can be destroyed depending on the player’s choices.
Noah evolves in a world where Cthulhu’s influence is a constant threat, with each decision potentially strengthening the Great Old One’s grip on his mind. Most chapters also offer alternative resolutions that directly impact his corruption level. The latter is a key element that will alter not only the course of the investigation but also its conclusion.
Find more information on the game’s Steam page
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About NACON
A company within the BIGBEN group, NACON was created in 2019 to optimize its expertise and leverage synergies in the video game market. Comprising 16 development studios, AA game publishing, and the design and distribution of premium gaming peripherals, NACON brings 40 years of experience to benefit the world’s gaming community. This unified center of excellence strengthens NACON’s position in the market and creates unique opportunities for innovation and competitive advantages. More information: www.corporate.nacongaming.comAbout Big Bad Wolf
Big Bad Wolf is a video game development studio based in Bordeaux. Founded in 2014 by industry veterans, they specialize in narrative-driven investigative role-playing games. The studio is best known for its titles The Council and Vampire: The Masquerade – Swansong.
More information: www.bigbadwolf-studio.com/
