The Whisperer in Darkness

About

"The Whisperer in Darkness" is a visual novel adaptation of an H.P. Lovecraft cosmic horror story. As skeptic Alex N. Wilmarth, uncover hidden secrets in a secluded Vermont farm through unsettling emails and atmospheric sound effects. With 8 chapters of linear horror and no combat, the game provides a classic Lovecraftian experience emphasizing discovery and dread. All profits since July 2020 support the Marsha P. Johnson Institute.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

81%

Audience ScoreBased on 37 reviews

story11 positive mentions

gameplay2 negative mentions

A faithful adaptation of H.P. Lovecraft's 'The Whisperer in Darkness' with a gripping and well-written story.
The atmospheric music and art effectively enhance the eerie mood of the narrative.
It's a short but engaging visual novel that modernizes the original story, making it accessible to new audiences.

The game lacks significant interactivity, often feeling more like a reading experience than a traditional game.
The text presentation is difficult to read due to small font size and distracting teletyping effects.
Some gameplay elements, such as the 'Atari Adventure' sequence, disrupt the immersive atmosphere established by the story.

story
37 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
62%
8%
The story is a modernized adaptation of H.P. Lovecraft's "The Whisperer in Darkness," presented as a visual novel that emphasizes atmosphere through audio and artwork. While it offers a faithful retelling with some interactive elements, many reviewers note that it lacks significant gameplay and is more of a narrative experience than a traditional game. Overall, it is recommended for fans of Lovecraft or those unfamiliar with the original story, though some suggest it may not appeal to those who have already read the source material.
- “This is an incredible adaptation of an awesome story!”
- “The author made a great work adapting the story.”
- “A very interesting story with great audio and art.”
- “It's an interactive story, not really an actual game.”
- “The only thing you're doing in this so-called 'game' is click to read further and walk as a 3-pixel person (more like a totem) a few steps until the story continues.”
- “If you have read the original story, this is not the game for you.”
graphics
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
33%
The graphics in the game are generally considered weak, yet they possess a unique charm, particularly through the use of ASCII art and hand-painted visuals that enhance the atmosphere. While some players appreciate the interesting art style and eerie background music, others note a disjointed mix of styles that detracts from the overall impact. Overall, the simplistic design allows for imaginative engagement with the story, despite its graphical limitations.
- “The artwork is interesting to look at, and I like the style of it.”
- “Simplistic design and great artwork help you visualize aspects of the story, whilst leaving enough to use your own imagination.”
- “The music and atmosphere are very well done, and the ASCII art lends a certain imaginative charm not found in experiences with better graphics.”
- “It’s a very short visual novel with a bit of simple gameplay, and both the art style and background music are so eerie.”
- “You are essentially scrolling through a modernized version of the original story with the accompaniment of a creepy soundtrack and artwork.”
music
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
14%
43%
The music in the game is highly praised for its effectiveness in creating a moody, atmospheric experience, often enhancing the storytelling with ambient tracks and sound effects. Reviewers note that the soundtrack contributes significantly to the overall ambiance, evoking a Lovecraftian feel that complements the visuals, despite their simplicity. Headphones are recommended to fully appreciate the well-crafted audio experience.
- “The music and atmosphere are very well done, and the ASCII art lends a certain imaginative charm not found in experiences with better graphics.”
- “The soundtrack is great, moody, and sets a good Lovecraft-like atmosphere.”
- “It has great use of music and sound effects that complemented the story.”
- “The music was well done (definitely wear headphones, should you choose to play this), and, like I said, some of the visuals were good.”
- “You are essentially scrolling through a modernized version of the original story with the accompaniment of a creepy soundtrack and artwork.”
- “Nevertheless, it uses both ambient music or, in its absence, complete silence, quite effectively.”
atmosphere
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The atmosphere of the game is highly praised for its effective use of music and ASCII art, which together create a unique and imaginative charm. The soundtrack enhances the Lovecraftian mood, successfully capturing a tense sense of dread that elevates the experience beyond a simple narrative. Overall, the combination of audio and interactive elements contributes to a deeply immersive and atmospheric piece of fiction.
- “The soundtrack is great, moody, and sets a good Lovecraft-like atmosphere.”
- “The music and atmosphere are very well done, and the ASCII art lends a certain imaginative charm not found in experiences with better graphics.”
- “The developer has very handily captured the tense atmosphere and sense of dread that are the hallmarks of Lovecraft's works.”
gameplay
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The gameplay is characterized by a brief visual novel format that incorporates simple mechanics, but the attempt to blend survival horror elements feels underwhelming due to the limited pixel graphics. The eerie art style and background music contribute to the atmosphere, yet the overall experience may leave players wanting more depth.
- “It seems like the developers felt they had to add a survival horror aspect to it, but the 2600 pixel game mechanic didn't do it any service.”
- “It's a very short visual novel with a bit of simple gameplay, and both the art style and background music are so eerie.”
emotional
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Players express that the game successfully evokes strong emotions, marking a significant impact that has been rare in their recent gaming experiences.
- “It had been a while since a game had made me feel something.”
- “The story resonated with me on a personal level, evoking deep emotions.”
- “I found myself tearing up during several key moments; the character development was incredibly impactful.”