Lovecraftesque

Lovecraftesque. The eldritch horror roleplaying game where you create the mystery at the table. Pre-orders now open.

Image shows the Lovecraftesque box cover with a skull-like monster lurking behind a lone character in the woods. Alongside this are the new rulebook with a striking red-and-white cover, and a spread of cards from the new edition.

Lovecraftesque second edition is available to pre-order now!

We are going to tell a story together. The story of a lone individual stumbling upon clues to a terrible evil. At first they dismiss it, but piece by piece a picture emerges, until suddenly it becomes impossible to deny. They plunge into shadow, they recoil in horror, but it is already too late. The horrifying truth is laid bare and they are consumed by darkness.

Lovecraftesque is a GMless tabletop game that  creates a compelling cosmic horror tale in a single session of play.

The first edition was critically acclaimed, won the Gioco Dell’Anno (Game Of The Year) award, was a finalist in the IGDN indie groundbreakers, and influenced a generation of mystery games like Brindlewood Bay, Apocalypse Keys and Bleak Spirit. We’re crowdfunding a new second edition boxed set, building on the lessons from the first to make an even slicker, more inspiring, easier-to-learn experience, with brand new art and a plethora of exciting new scenarios for the game.

Lovecraftesque second edition is available to pre-order now!

The Lovecraftesque virtual playroom, and links to other resources for the new edition, will be added here soon.

You can also buy Lovecraftesque first edition from our store.

Or if you’re looking for downloads for Lovecraftesque first edition (including handouts and scenarios), look here.

Bought Lovecraftesque at a gaming store or convention? You can get the digital files for free. Take a look at our digital guarantee.

Lovecraftesque is the GMless storytelling game of brooding cosmic horror you’ve been waiting for. You tell the story of a lone Witness at the mercy of strange and terrifying events. The game helps you create a slow-building mystery, culminating in a climactic scene of horror.

  • You create your own monsters and mystery that feel like something out of Lovecraft’s notebook.
  • All the players contribute clues to surprise and creep each other out.
  • The rules ensure that the story flows seamlessly, as if an invisible GM were guiding it.
  • There won’t be any Mi-Go or Deep Ones—you’ll get a completely fresh take on the genre.

LOVECRAFTESQUE IS A GAME FOR 2-5 PEOPLE AND TAKES 3-4 HOURS TO PLAY.

Reviews    Video demos

Lovecraftesque won Game of the Year at Gioco Dell’Anno, has been nominated for the Golden Geek game of the year 2015, and was a finalist in the IGDN awards for best setting and best art 2016.

Review quotes

“This is hands down one of the best systems I’ve seen for running Lovecraftian horror. It deals with the subject matter and the people at the table respectfully and beautifully weaves mysteries together in a more effective way than I’ve ever seen before.” – Who Dares Rolls

“Lovecraftesque is a beautiful and unique tabletop storygame that starts from a deep understanding of what worked in Lovecraft’s original stories, while challenging and engaging with what doesn’t work.” – Aaron A Reed

“Beautifully crafted … A valuable contribution to the growing canon of roleplaying games” – The Mary Sue

“[Lovecraftesque] may be the most faithful RPG to Lovecraft’s original vision.” – Geek and Sundry

“The GM-less storytelling approach is both refreshing and inspiring … The structure and play is solid, and a lot of fun for players with different levels of gaming experience and Lovecraft knowledge.” – Shoggoth.Net

“Lovecraftesque is one of my favorite games from the last few years … Highly recommended!” – The Gauntlet

“In less than three hours, my friend and I had crafted, from nothing, a sanity-losing concoction of cosmic dread and I couldn’t be happier with the product.” –Ericvulgaris.Com

“Lovecraftesque is a very special game. It’s easy to teach, easy to play, and works even when you wouldn’t expect it to … It is a beautifully crafted game with surprising depth considering the simplicity and usability of the ruleset.” –On the Remembered Slopes


Video demos