The Worry of Newport is a new Lovecraftian Crysis mod. Ok, let’s translate that into English for those who don’t play videogames. CryEngine 3 is a wonderful cutting-edge game engine, the thing that puts the visuals and audio and game mechanics on the screen. The Crysis games are some of the biggest games out there, although not to my taste. Now there’s a new free mod (i.e.: a free fan-made modification or ‘makeover’) for the game. You buy the game, you apply the mod, you get a new game. All part of the crazy remix culture, m’lud.

The naff choice of fonts for the trailer, and the title (“The Worry…”?) are both initially very discouraging. But the game is getting taken seriously by the genuine and respected reviewers, such as Rock, Paper, Shotgun which writes…

“Although it’s small and imperfectly formed, The Worry of Newport is as authentic a Lovecraft experience as I’ve ever played. That’s not to say it’s the best Lovecraft-inspired game I’ve ever had my hands on, it’s just the most true to the man himself. […] it’s slow, wordy and takes itself very seriously indeed. However, it’s also atmospheric, creepy and mysterious.”

Here’s the creator’s description of the mod/game…

“The Worry of Newport is a two part horror/mystery mod for Crysis built around immersion and story telling, rather than combat or action. Both parts span a story arc that concerns a nameless protagonist awakening in the ocean outside of the island of Newport, a fictional [island] colony in the Atlantic. Upon exploring the port nearby and uncovering a little bit of the backstory, it is on his (and your, the players) shoulders to pursue the truths behind the dark secrets on the island.”

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GgKDb-jYsSg&w=640&h=390]