Fishtank Interactive, a division of Ravensburger Interactive Media and publisher of PC and console based interactive games, today announced that the first-person psychological thriller, "Call of Cthulhu - Dark Corners of the Earth," is scheduled to launch Q1 2002.

Product Mini Profile Call Of Cthulhu: Dark Corners Of The Earth in: Adventure (PC) links » p/reviews faqs/guides

Inspired by H.P. Lovecraft's Cthulhu mythos, "Call of Cthulhu" delves into the fragile human psyche, subtly twisting the mind as terror lurks in the small fishing town of Innsmouth. With eye-popping graphics and advanced real-time physics system, the bone-chilling title immerses the player in an occult world filled with diabolical entities.

"From the eerie sound effects to the suspense-driven plot, 'Cthulhu' is designed to keep players awake at night," said Jerry Wolosenko, head of Fishtank Interactive activities in North America. "Gamers will stay up for the electrifying gameplay, but the terrifying experience will leave them sleepless."

About "Call of Cthulhu - Dark Corners of the Earth" Set in the 1920s, private eye Jack Walters uncovers a dark secret nestled within the decaying fishing village of Innsmouth. Determined to uncover the truth, Jack descends into the macabre world of Cthulhu, the sleeping celestial being whose telepathic dreams inspire cults and ghastly deeds. Innsmouth is in the hands of The Order, a draconian organization stained with the blood of the innocent and steeped in unholy rituals. The player will take the role of one of four investigators who unearth the horror below this enigmatic New England town.

Utilizing H.P. Lovecraft's masterful short stories as a guide, "Cthulhu" takes the player through a variety of sinister locations such as maze-like tunnels and an ominous insane asylum. Horrific monsters and dreadful events adversely affect the character's sanity, and psychological conditions like vertigo and schizophrenia are recreated through subtle manipulation of graphics and sound effects. To further involve the player in the narrative, "Call of Cthulhu" does not feature a permanent on-screen interface. To assess health, the player must look down at the character's body for injuries, and to check for ammo, players must open the revolver chamber to count the remaining rounds. A journal keeps track of evidence and clues that the character unearths during his adventure. By the end of each story, the player will have a complete account of their character's exploits and can print them out to read like a Lovecraft novel.

Features for "Call of Cthulhu" include:

Photorealistic graphics, authentic locations, spine-chilling sound affects and haunting music combine to create a truly terrifying experience.

Cooperative play through LAN or via Internet for up to four players.

Multi-player death-match mode where players can summon mighty mythos creatures and invoke powerful spells.

Highly advanced real-time physics system that allows player to affect the environment; includes scattering debris, blowing out windows, and collapsing walls.

Gameplay in diverse locations and environments, allowing for extra experiences such as flying airplanes, traveling in submarines and ships, and even driving a husky-pulled sled.