Cosmoctopus board game tackles cosmic horror without invoking Lovecraft

One of the biggest launches at this year’s Gen Con is not the sort of game you’d normally expect to be as celebrated as it is: Cosmoctopus. Henry Audubon is the designer of the popular board game. Parks, it’ll be released widely on Aug. 18. Polygon had a chance to play the game in advance of this year’s Gen Con in Indianapolis, and we found it to be a surprisingly cuddly take on cosmic horror.

This game revolves around worshiping the titular Cosmoctopus. He is an ancient deity who lives beyond the stars, whose tentacles can reach out into the darkness of outer space and touch anyone he considers worthy. The game is about each player proving their loyalty to the Great Inky one through their work on Earth. You’ll gather cursed artifacts, read the forbidden scriptures, listen to his dark whispers, and study the sky itself in order to make the world ready for his return. First to drag all eight tentacles of the alien through the nebula into the world wins.

Image: Lucky Duck Games

Layout of CosmoctopusIt is most likely the innovative aspect of this game. When you’re just learning the rules, you’ll use a simple three-by-three grid to move the Great Inky One around. But after you’ve become familiar with the mechanics, the game suggests more complex shapes, like an X, a circle, or a numeral three. A game option adds the Cosmic bridge, which is two gates connecting two Inky Realms. You can use this to teleport from one grid point to another. The game’s replay value can be greatly increased by this feature.

There’s four kinds of cards to use (scripture, relic, hallucination, and constellation) that each tie into the different resources (ink, coins, whispers, and stars, respectively). The Cosmoctopus can only give you cards or resources when he wants it. (Landing in a certain space will let you select a new card, draw a card or choose a relic). Scripture provides permanent rewards when it is played. These are usually discounts on the price of cards. Relics give you an effect that kicks in when certain conditions are met, while hallucinations are single-use cards with more powerful effects — and higher costs — than the others. Constellations act like a mini-side quest as you arrange the resources correctly. These cards always grant tentacles. And tentacles help you to win.

Constellations and some red cards are how you’ll get most of your tentacles. But if you hoard 13 of a certain resource, you gain forbidden knowledge and a “first contact card,” the former giving you two free tentacles and the latter a special new, totally free power to add to your arsenal. They’re major game changers that people will be working for from square one. It takes planning, as you are only allowed to keep a limited amount of resources between rounds.

Image: Lucky Duck Games

Cosmoctopus This game is much lighter and more enjoyable than other engine builder games. But it lacks a lot of variety. The mechanics in the game also limit your ability to create an engine as complex and intricate as the others. The tradeoff is the increased accessibility, and customization options. And it’s just a blast. I think Lucky Duck is going to have a real hit on its hands, especially if it goes all in on the plushies I’ve been hearing about.

It’s interesting that the game mimics a Lovecraftian Horror game without Lovecraft. Yes, you’re in a cult; yes, you’re summoning something with tentacles from far off. There’s plenty of obvious references to the eldritch all spread out, but none are explicitly drawing on the Cthulhu Mythos. In the board game industry, that is refreshing on its own, but doubly so if one is concerned about invoking Lovecraft in this day and age (and I’ll leave it at that). It’s hard to believe that the titular eldritch is so cute. He’s a little bit out of place in a game of this caliber and level of depth, but he is also a bit attractive. I mean, I’d like to be his buddy. Wouldn’t you?

Cosmoctopus The preview was done using an early release copy from Lucky Duck Games. Vox Media is affiliated with other companies. Vox Media can earn affiliate commissions, but this does not affect editorial content. This is where you can find additional information about Polygon’s ethics policy here.