While quality movies based on the work of acclaimed and influential horror and sci-fi writer H.P. Lovecraft tend to be few and far between, there have been excellent board games stemming from his work for decades. The popular Call of Cthulhu series of role playing games, as well as Arkham Horror, gave players a look inside the dark and twisted world of the singular writer. Now, we can add another game to that list, one based on a story that actually did spawn an excellent feature film and a fantastic comic book series. Herbert West: Reanimator is coming to games from Dynamite Entertainment, and there’s a Kickstarter to fund it.
The game will allow up to four players to work cooperatively as assistants to the mad scientist Herbert West as he attempts to perfect and master his serum which brings people back to life. The goal, of course, is not to create mindless cannibals, but you can’t always get what you want. You and your friends will effectively take on the role of the narrator in the serialized adventure and will give players the opportunity to travel around Lovecraft’s fabled Arkham, Massachusetts and find ingredients, mystic tomes, and even fresh cadavers to use in the experiments. Sub-plots will emerge based on gameplay, and things go out of control as they only can when Dr. West is running the show.
The game comes from a partnership between Dynamite and Lynnvander Studios, and features artwork from the Dynamite comic series which began this year. And if it looks like something you’d like to play, you’re going to want to head over to the freshly-launched Kickstarter campaign, which is seeking $12,500 by October 2, so you better get a-pledging. Add-on bonuses include things like fancy dice, additional sets of cards, and access to the ReAnimator digital comics.
Images: Dynamite Entertainment/Lynnvaner Studios
Kyle Anderson is the Associate Editor for Nerdist. He writes the weekly look at weird or obscure films in Schlock & Awe. Follow him on Twitter!
