Cthulhu Cosmic Abyss: A Blend of Dead Space & Subnautica

If you are a long-time player of first/third-person horror titles, you have surely heard of games like Dead Space or Subnautica. If I told you there is an upcoming game with a setting and gameplay similar to these two, but overlaid with the cosmic horror colors of H.P. Lovecraft, would you be curious? Then, on April 16, 2026, prepare to witness the haunting brainchild of these two games, titled: Cthulhu: The Cosmic Abyss.

Why does the combination of space horror and deep-sea fear create such a haunting masterpiece?

Cthulhu: The Cosmic Abyss is a first-person psychological horror and investigation game developed by Big Bad Wolf (the studio behind The Council and Vampire: The Masquerade – Swansong) and published by Nacon.

The game is set in the year 2053, when Earth's surface resources are depleted, and humanity seeks to exploit resources deep beneath the ocean. Players take on the role of Noah, an agent of the Ancile organization (specializing in paranormal investigations), who is sent to investigate the mysterious disappearance of miners at an extraction station deep at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean.

The journey will lead players to R'lyeh—the legendary sunken city with gargantuan, non-Euclidean architecture—where the entity Cthulhu lies dreaming.

When it comes to gameplay mechanics, Cthulhu: The Cosmic Abyss focuses primarily on meticulous investigation and puzzle-solving rather than high-octane action combat. First, the game centers on puzzle elements. Players can fully grip, rotate, and scan objects to find clues, which are stored in the Vault (an evidence board system) for you to connect them.

The game also integrates a sonar system, a versatile tool that helps you see in the dark, detect hidden paths, and track traces of strange matter. Players will not have to overcome obstacles alone, as the developer has added an AI companion (Key) to accompany them. Key will assist players in analyzing data and navigating through underwater mazes. However, since analyzing objects consumes an immense amount of energy, if the power runs out, the player will pay the price with their own sanity.

In addition to the mechanics above, the developer has added a "corruption" and psychology system to the game. Put simply, every action and choice you make affects your level of corruption. As Noah is exposed to too many cosmic horrors, his mind will gradually collapse.

Regarding the plot, this story will have multiple branching paths. Players can choose to solve puzzles more easily by using "dark powers," but the cost is madness and a tragic ending.

Overall, if you are a fan of detective horror like Call of Cthulhu or enjoy the deep storytelling of Big Bad Wolf, this is definitely a name you cannot ignore on Steam. Remember to use our comparison tool to pre-order Cthulhu: The Cosmic Abyss at the best price!