Penguin Colony: A Lovecraftian critique of colonialism through the eyes of an indifferent bird

Key points

• The game is a semi-open world exploration title where players switch between different penguin species, each with unique movement abilities like high jumps or squeezing through tight spaces.
• It adapts Lovecraft’s 1936 novella At the Mountains of Madness, replacing the original human protagonists with Nazi occultists and Māori guardians, while the player controls a penguin.
• Collectibles are words in English and Te reo Māori, which reveal lore and critique the original story’s racist assumptions.
• The game features a low-poly aesthetic and includes a post-credits map showing all discovered and missed secrets, encouraging community discussion.
• Developed by Origame Digital, an Indigenous team based in Melbourne, the game aims to challenge traditional game design by focusing on environmental storytelling and player agency.

Background

Origame Digital, known for Umurangi Generation, has previously explored themes of climate crisis and Indigenous perspectives in gaming. The release of Penguin Colony follows a trend of indie games reinterpreting classic horror narratives through modern and diverse lenses. Recent studies on Antarctic penguin populations, such as the 63% decline of chinstrap penguins on Zavodovski Island, highlight the real-world environmental challenges facing these species, adding a layer of relevance to the game’s setting.

How outlets are covering it

The Guardian emphasizes the game’s audacious and brilliant retelling of Lovecraft’s novella, highlighting its unnerving and discordant atmosphere. Rock Paper Shotgun praises the game as a clever parody of Lovecraftian horror, noting its Soulslike elements and critical distance from imperialist narratives. ABC News focuses on the Indigenous perspective, highlighting how the game addresses colonial myth-making and the tools used to create such myths. ScreenHub Australia highlights the game’s ability to transform Lovecraft’s work through shifting perspectives, emphasizing the penguin’s indifference and the Māori guardians’ role in recontextualizing the story as a colonialist narrative.

Why it matters

Penguin Colony challenges traditional game design by using an unconventional protagonist to critique historical and racial narratives. It offers a unique perspective on Lovecraft’s work, exposing its racist underpinnings through the lens of an indifferent penguin. The game’s emphasis on environmental storytelling and community discussion reflects a broader trend in indie gaming to explore complex themes and engage players in deeper ways.

What to watch

PS5 and Nintendo Switch versions of Penguin Colony are planned for 2027. Origame Digital has indicated interest in developing more Lovecraftian games, potentially exploring other works by HP Lovecraft. The game’s success may influence future indie titles to adopt similar unconventional perspectives and narrative structures.