Call of Cthulhu delayed

Bethesda Softworks announced today that Call of Cthulhu: Dark Corners of the Earth, its survival horror game based on the works of noted author H.P. Lovecraft, has been delayed. Originally scheduled for release this holiday season, the title is now slated to ship in the first quarter of 2005.

Played from a first-person perspective, Cthulhu will incorporate a sanity system much like that of Nintendo's 2002 survival horror entry Eternal Darkness. The sanity system causes "hallucinations" and visual tricks as the main character gradually loses his mind as a result of the horrors he encounters.

There will be no onscreen meters, life gauges, or any other sorts of heads-up displays. The player will have to rely on subtle, organic clues to determine if the main character is hurt or near death.

Call of Cthulu: Dark Corners of the Earth will be released on the Xbox and PC.