The Cosmic Horror of Fear and Hunger

"Song of my soul, my voice is dead, | Die thou, unsung, as tears unshed | Shall dry and die in Lost Carcosa."
An examination of survival horror JRPG Fear & Hunger's mechanics and themes through the lens of cosmic horror.
CHAPTERS
Intro: 00:00 - 1:39
New Game and Characters: 1:40 - 6:34
What is Cosmic Horror?: 6:35 - 13:04
The Upper Floors - Primal Terror & Entropy: 13:05 - 20:43
The Mines - Eldritch Knowledge and Elder Gods: 20:44 - 28:03
The Village - The Cavedweller Look: 28:03 - 30:35
The Catacombs - Delving Too Deep: 30:36 - 33:16
Escape? - Madness and Trauma: 33:17 - 37:19
The Ancient City - Ignorance and Indifference: 37:20 - 45:23
The Void - Fear of the Unknown: 45:24 - 52:39
The Depths - Unbearable Truth and the Cruel Age: 52:40 - 58:03
Outro: 58:04 - 1:00:41

[@nightblade628]

This game is the epitome of the idea that it’s not about the destination, it’s about the journey. Because the destinations ALL suck. The journey sucks too. In fact, it all sucks. 11/10 GOTY

[@biggusdickus1234]

Out of all of them, the one who got the least amount of suffering in his ending was Ragnvaldr, ironically enough. He has one of the most miserable backstories but gets the least miserable ending, instead going off with his new wolf friend to go hunt monsters.

[@chrisS19019]

Best description

[@fabioviti7384]

I disagree, HEAVILY. Every single canonical ending It's actually positive. Enki gets everything he ever wanted, no backlash, EVERYTHING HE WANTS Ragnavaldr frees the world from 99.9% monsters, and makes a friend D'arce ehh... She's fucking insane but technically She either does what She Always wanted as a good Lil sub or fucks a ghoul that Will help make Twitter Cahara creates the God of fear and Hunger a BENEVOLENT God that wants humanity to Better itself

[@M0nk3y0nMars]

@@fabioviti7384 There is nothing positive about Caharas. Maybe for the world but his fate is tragic. D'arce isn't really either, she is delusional and it literally that meme of being on fire and saying, this is fine. The other two are positive because the don't allow dungeon to control them and forge their own destiny.

[@AC-hj9tv]

My life irl

[@alch3myst]

New “dude to watch talk about video games as I struggle against sleep every night “ just dropped! Damn!

[@centurion-gaming9334]

Well who would of thunk I’m not the only one to discover this video while struggling to sleep.

[@oxyo6813]

I relate to this to an alarming degree

[@Rewal15]

Real

[@Kikkouto]

We will closely monitor the progression of young Jacob Geller

[@wilsonsanabia4259]

Has to be one of my favorite genres

[@snqoqo]

I feel like it's important to mention that lovecraft didnt just talk about things that could be scary but he also talked about and wrote about literal everyday things. Lovecraft was just extremely terrified of the world and every single thing in it which explains why his stories are terrifying - everything was scary to him

[@DennisLjeti]

This is a very good point, a lot of Lovecraft's writings stem from his own anxiety, agoraphobia, xenophobia etc. and his awe at the ever burgeoning field of astronomy likely only heightened his feelings of fear. Thank you for sharing!

[@euthymialy]

Howard literally wrote a whole story about a guy whose weird neighbor turns out to be an undead living corpse who can’t leave his apartment because his air conditioning system is what is keeping his corpse from decomposing. The unknown risks and horrors of this newly developed and distributed air conditioning technology were enough to drive him to a fit of creative writing.

[@OTheDetective]

@@euthymialylovecraft mustve had a neighbor that had a really loud ac

[@Kaylakaze]

Imagine if he had known that, several million years ago, a star may have gone supernova and released cosmic rays that are right now heading towards Earth and that when they get here, they will strip the atmosphere from the planet and immediately kill every living thing, and we have absolutely no way to detect it before it happens, let alone stop it. Compared to that Cthulu is just an overgrown octopus.

[@carcosian]

@snqoqo Absolutely untrue and unfounded. This is the kinda shit that people like to spread to act as if they are on the know when in reality it's all exaggerations and is either not present in the plethora of primary sources we have or straight up contradicted.

[@al77709]

I like how, despite its bleak nature, Funger is also over-the-top hilarious. I mean, LeGarde's entire plan is speedrunning apotheosis by going through all the trials faced by the new gods in quick succession. Ragnvaldr kills so many monsters that unspeakable horrors check under their beds for him every night. There's an off-hand mention that the Ottoman Empire is breeding samurai with janissaries to create samussaries (or janirai?). WHEELCHAIR GOD exists in the sequel and is the best thing ever.

[@cpunching]

Also in the sequel Nas'Hrar claims he created the entire asian continent/country (their world Japan I think?) as a "joke" and has a hysterical fit laughing that people think it's some mystical ancient civilization.

[@josedorsaith5261]

Samussy

[@basedsketch4133]

I had to use a wheelchair for 8 years and hated it profoundly

[@EzekielGoldbergII]

Sounds like more berserk inspiration.

[@wildfire9280]

@@josedorsaith5261 His name is Metroid.

[@TheDrAzami]

This works great as a companion to the Super Eyepatch Wolf video on Fear and Hunger. This is a great literary analysis, wheras I feel he focuses on the vibe of playing the game.

[@bakingkitty1034]

Agreed! Super Eyepatch Wolf’s, Worm Girl’s, and this video kinda feels like the Holy Trinity of Fear and Hunger Video essays. SEW’s for the getting the vibes of how GRUELING the game is to play, WG’s for getting the lore, and this one for getting the epic literary vibes!

[@Zlyde007]

@@bakingkitty1034 "epic literary" is a bit of a hyperbole, its good but not that. Academic monotone would be closer to the style presented by the vid.

[@bakingkitty1034]

@@Zlyde007 Fair enough, I'm being dramatic for the fun of it XD

[@sukumuieywang8058]

I don’t know why, but I revel in every discovery of a new Fear and Hunger video essay. I feel like I know everything there is to know about the game, but I also feel like I haven’t even begun to understand it. It masterfully tackles so many things, and it feels like a commentary on human nature the likes of which Freud would be envious of. I feel truly grateful to have stumbled upon this game because I genuinely believe it is a masterpiece. No other single piece of fiction has ever made me feel so curious to hear others insights and interpretations of it. Miro has created something truly special with this series. It’s a damn shame that so many will likely be turned off by the more grisly parts of the game, because they mean nothing to the bigger picture. Thank you for gifting the world with your creativity Miro. I hope you bless us with every bit of imagination you have to offer.

[@dyabo8826]

I feel the same. Have you played it? I love learning about it but couldn't stomach the experience myself.

[@R1ddle]

I have played it. But the brutality of the game itself is too much for me. I stick to video essays because the game fascinates me but playing it is a masochistic adventure I do not enjoy. Similar to how I watch let's plays of horror games because i get too immersed when I play and the horror of the games make me not want to play them but I really want to see the story. Edit: I haven't ever found more than the intro zone the dungeon and the flesh bubble library place. This is also my first video essay on this game and I'm commenting before watching lol

[@BrennaDraws]

Same. I love seeing new takes on the game. There’s so much to unpack in these games and I adore them. It’s horror done well.

[@M0nk3y0nMars]

@@dyabo8826 I thought I was like this but I got into the game and finished all the endings. I probably will never play another minute of it but the story around the game is so amazing that it constantly keeps pulling me to binge videos like these.

[@TheFunwichHorror]

Yes, I feel this exact way! What I've learned about this game aesthetically, narratively, and thematically is 100% my jam. Unfortunately I just don't have the time, skill, or patience these days to actually play it. (I also feel this way about the fromsoft games) The more, as you say, "grisly" parts of the game is also a bit of a turn-off for me. I can stomach video game gore as much as the next guy, but did they have to make stuff like "the generic guard enemy has an absurdly large penis and you have a risk of being raped by it which will give you severe anal bleeding" a part of the game? This along with all the other phallic imagery and weirdly oversexual content, idk if they're all that necessary (Can you tell I'm not the biggest Freud fan?) I don't even consider myself particularly sensitive about this stuff, but I can't seem to find any reason for it to be included other than shock value and edgy "realism". I mean, isn't scrounging for survival and a chance of being brutally murdered around every corner enough to deliver the message? Idk like I said I haven't played the game so I may be missing something. Maybe someone who has actually experienced the game can enlighten me on this.

[@MrRasta3600]

I ignored the trigger warnings at first but then I noticed the size of the censor bar on the guard and thought "You know what? I'll leave a comment for the algorithms sake and watch something else". 🤣

[@phylippezimmermannpaquin2062]

Ah yes, the stinger

[@somakun1806]

the Big stinger

[@dontkickmychick6076]

Le stinge thinge

[@enricofermi3471]

Is it *stinging* your self-esteem to realise the his is bigger than yours?

[@wildfire9280]

⁠​⁠​⁠@@enricofermi3471 mine loops over my shoulder twice, not that impressive tbh

[@remontariv1130]

I'm surprised you don't have a bigger following nor view count, the editing and way you explain things are pretty cool.

[@DennisLjeti]

That's kind of you to say!

[@isumkitchens5329]

The reason why they don't have a bigger following is bc this is only video #3. Or at least that's all I see on the channel lol I look forward to more videos

[@embargovenom9948]

@@DennisLjeti Also, you put the sources of the clips, music and images you used at the end of the video. Most KZbin content creators don't do that!

[@CastroxStrain]

Your work is so professional you need a larger following

[@illusionaryhobo7464]

I concur. Pretty good. Earned a subscrobble.

[@Pudding404]

The ever-present theme of there not being any light of hope in the overpowering darkness that is the dungeons. This game isn't all dark for the sake of being dark, there are very few moments of kindness in this game to keep the characters moving forward, if not for their initial motivations, and even if it's to lure them deeper in these dungeons. Just like the God of Fear and hunger herself says, there's beauty in this darkness, and it takes real emotions to bring something like this out that we as people aren't able and meant to understand in a game. Even if I keep consuming these F&H videos, there's always something new to take away from someone else's perspective. Amazing work on this.

[@zephshoir]

Finally, a NEW video essay on my lovely obsession! Would also love to see another one like this for its sequel, Termina. It is getting a new update soon so I would also like to see how the blind run post-update will be, since many videos and runs of it will be from returning players instead.

[@TheAce_real]

Yk what the update is gonna be about?

[@youtubeletmeintoyoutube4580]

When you used a Neal Breen clip as part of your sanity system explanation, I knew I was in love

[@rowanyearley6291]

Same, when I saw the Neal Breen clip I subbed immediately

[@airplanes_aren.t_real]

Timestamp?

[@samr6609]

It was the Neil Breen clip, and then the shot from Surviving Edged Weapons. I knew I was in the right place.

[@mortennielsen9273]

Love these long form videos on cosmic horror, perfect for kicking back and relaxing!

[@josephz7896]

The creator of this game isn't a deviant. It's very clear that all of the gruesome themes such as SA and violence serve a distinct purpose to disturb the viewer in a way that fits the canon of the universe very pertinently

[@ceinwenchandler4716]

Also, Fear and Hunger was created as part of some sort of thesis that centered on how to make people uncomfortable. The game was literally made to be as uncomfortable as possible for purposes of academic research. It's hilarious.

[@ingridvillagrana3698]

It was a joke

[@fearyn]

Omg thank you! I feast on these long video essays about funger Please do part 2 on termina

[@Teakip]

I’m gonna start calling it funger now, that’s great 😂

[@enricofermi3471]

There's cosmic horror, unknowable and unthinkable by a sane mortal mind. And then there's 300+ hours playtime Enki leisurely jogging on his way to ending S for the third time.

[@rakushasu1262]

As a fan and writer of cosmic horror, I really loved this video! Never played the game, but watched some videos on it, and this is probably the best, most concise summary of what it is. Great video, and honestly, you deserve more subs!

[@unintelligentintelligentpe1009]

the fact that you made this high a production video with only 60 subscribers speaks to your unbelievable dedication and I hope you blow up on here cause you deserve it

[@Bondrewddy]

I’d really like to see a deep dive on F&H: Termina. Not enough people cover it compared to the first game, even though I think the second is better. That being said, this was a great watch and I’m super happy people are still finding the game.

[@mhamieyoo]

What I also love about this game is that it mastefully weaponizes your curiosity against you. And the details in some of NPCs designs and your interactions with them gives you just enough idea about the horrors behind them. And imo thats what makes it even scarier, when your mind is forced to fill in the gaps instead of outright knowing/seeing what you should fear. And here I thought Bloodborne was hella bleak enough.

[@suajerthepiggo424]

I'm so glad this showed up in my feed, great video man!

[@boulgourmachakal28]

Love that you blurred the puzzle to not spoil any gameplay. Great video

[@Kushula4815]

Holy shit, for your third video, this is awesome. One of the best videos about this game I have seen. Keep up the good work ❤

[@Shugg-Goff-HHoffical]

Now...a battle royal where each player is a Cultist for a particular primordial God's set in an eerie 1920's back-water called Elder's Maw representing thier God and sacrifice. Call it Burnt Offerings.

[@Kaylakaze]

Or you can call it... The Aristocrats!

[@oniemployee3437]

Well, Hunt:Showdown is halfway there.

[@cpunching]

I mean, that's basically the sequel Fear and Hunger Termina :V

[@bruhboi699]

Absolute banger. Very well paced and was engaged the whole time. looking to more videos like it

[@itsmrmanman]

Great stuff man! Thoroughly enjoyed this one and hope to see more deep dives in the future!

[@tryptaminus]

Great video man, I like how you present your ideas. I would love to see more specific lore/thematic analysis from you. I felt like in this video, you gave a really good overview of everything, but some stuff especially with the endings it felt like you had more to say.

[@AmberLecuyer]

I'm so glad this video popped up in my recommendations! Amazing job.

[@ashleykettle343]

Can I just say, I love your writing here. Not only is this a great analysis, but your writing is genuinely great to listen to.

[@crowism-3]

I've been itching for more fear & hunger content and I absolutely loved this, I hope it reaches more people who also enjoy this kind of stuff :)

[@holmes9787]

Fear and hunger has been an obsession of mine for over a year now and you really hit the nail on the head connecting all the allusive dots. (I’m also reading blood meridian rn so the ending hit hard)

[@mitchellupagusrex2839]

Blood meridian is so good, I need to reread that, thanks for reminding me!

[@nourriadh6976]

Thank the KZbin algorithm for this recommendation! Great video, you earned a new sub!

[@carlosgerardomurillo1623]

Great work!! Looking forward to the experiments! Keep up the good work!

[@sqwuishybubie385]

I love the way you talk about this game in depth, hope to hear more in depth obsure horror game videos in the future like this!

[@stevewalter4552]

Enjoyed the video, really looking forward to the next one!

[@thepyrokitten]

Pretty good! I love the horror themes and Fear & Hunger has such a fascinating world. Always great to see someone's take on it and some of the meanings.

[@normalizabortion6954]

Wow congrats on this video!!! 3rd video out is crazy

[@foreverunprepared6035]

Great and engaging video man; for three videos under your belt I'd hedge my bets on you making it up there 🙏🏻

[@03dashk64]

Congrats on hitting the algorithm gods! Great video too. :D

[@1am911]

Great video essay! I'm hoping for a continuation or just talking about Cosmic Horror in general

[@DANTE71927]

Great video, I hope to see more such content from you in the future! Would've been cool to see a deep dive into folklore or something.

[@MixdFeeling]

Great video. I just learned about the Call of Cthulhu TTRG yesterday and was delighted to find your video this morning. Would love to see more from you in the future!

[@raramstad]

Wow amazing video! I typed in "video game essay" and this is what looked interesting. I watched the full vid with much enjoyment. I love the part at the end where you display the video editor timer and it lines up with the youtube timer. Very clever!!

[@FuturisticPriest]

Loved every second of it. I really dig your style or narration and enjoyed the Audio during my work commotion. Now the same for Part two pls 😂😂

[@nuwgle4513]

this is a really great video essay

[@Some-lh4np]

great video! keep up the work you're going places

[@brettwilliams2258]

Genuinely enjoyable, I have found a new great youtuber

[@o5-693]

60 subscribers to almost 8k, congrats man, you've earned one more with this video great job.

[@K0zuk33]

Having a video analysis on the second game would be a blessing, the way you explain things kept me locked in my screen for the entire hour, would love to see more Funger content from you!

[@versaillesinaisle1]

great video analysis, from the way you explained things and editing style. keep up the good work!:)

[@ImpaledKorez]

Yet another video describing the torment this game puts you through, I’m on the edge of my seat!!!

[@johnlouesecano9855]

i hope you know how talented you are for being this in depth. looking forward for more content. 👏

[@GloriaDiesLive]

really loved it, thanks for the vid!

[@alexdelanie3655]

This is one of my favourite fear and hunger videos! ❤

[@UndeadArmy2012]

Look forwards to seeing this channel blow up. Will check back in a year

[@tenfivesmiths7802]

You are brilliant btw definitely subbing and looking forward to more analyses!

[@jorgeg.s.2838]

Nah as soon as I heard this chanel has videos minimally tangential to D&D I knew I was gonna follow and binge-watch it. Hope this video blows up, you deserve it

[@cags1987]

When I see a Neil Breen clip used, I know I'm in good company. Fascinating video, thank you!

[@homemade_mummy__1539]

This is genuinely billion-subscriber level video quality. Please, keep up the amazing work :)

[@TheInfamousBertman]

Great video. I expect you'll hit 100k subs in no time with quality videos like this

[@namuesmeralda155]

Thank you so much for this awesome video!

[@surrealrose513]

First of all, I really enjoyed this video and am so glad it came up in my recommended. I've devoured all of the other more well known Funger channels content so it was a nice surprise to get a new channel to sub to! Anyway, since you are one of us masochism for enjoyment type gamers, have you played Pathologic 1 or 2? I personally have only played the second game (same goes for me with funger honestly; I'm not sure if I am made of tough enough stuff to go back to it or patho 1). Survival horror with dark themes of plague, colonialist subjugation of an indigenous peoples, and misery. It was my "comfort game" through the pandemic, lmao.

[@DennisLjeti]

I absolutely adore Pathologic!

[@ScaredDeer7571]

Finally the youtube algorithm has done it's job and gave me a great suggestion, never heard of Fear and Hunger before but now I want to try it out for myself

[@Penily]

Excellent video! I like hearing about the inspirations for the game. It adds a lot more to the story. I would love to see your take on the Termina!

[@SickBoyNick]

Brilliant video dude. Good job 👍

[@northernstormpetrel]

oh this was a joy to watch!! i love your sense of humor and how you balance it with more serious topics. keep it up, and i can’t wait to watch more of your work!!

[@strongbelwas8899]

cool video, also really classy of you to put sources of images/music you have used in the video at the end!

[@thehermitman822]

Never played the game but been enjoying the different videos that seem to find unique moments to elaborate on.

[@Nobodydu77]

Thank you for this great video ! I love this univers and really felt this dread you described. It's very interesting to see it elaborated on like this ! I hope you will also explore Termina, i would love to pick your brain on that, which in my opinion can be seen both as a doubling down on this existencial dread theme or more so going full absurdism " One must imagine Marcoh happy that he can confront his demons" xD

[@dillonmax8392]

Big Lovecraft fan, thanks for making this video. I've always been too timid to play this game myself but watched playthroughs. Very cool analysis

[@LarryPoppinsX]

I have to say that this is the first Fear and Hunger Explained video that I actually watched all the way through. Congrats on being the only commentator interesting enough to keep my ADHD brain entertained and engaged.

[@Cye_Pie]

Amazing video, keep up!

[@baqtobassix]

Keep making videos, dude, you're great

[@aizakasan8192]

what i really like about this video is how you describe the narrative reason behind the story, of course they are many lore explanation ,discussion video and thread all over the internet. but sometime the context, theme, how and when they are represent in game just lost in those discussion, and it just suck for someone who havent play the game or dont understand the game narrative might miss some of the meaning and context that elevate the game story and make it more special. so yeah i like this video.

[@cshels5540]

I saw another commenter mention having another channel to watch when sleep evades them, and I have to say. That is unironically the highest praise. Insomnia is a bitch and sometimes the ADHD hits so hard you can't focus on even entertaining yourself. Channels like this are a blessing and you do it with skill. Good content A+ all that.

[@uraniumsgloriousjunkyard6194]

I enjoyed this vid, well done.

[@DennisLjeti]

Glad you enjoyed it! Loved your video on Rudimer!

[@fa1thl3ss29]

good shit man keep it up!

[@_Carlos]

I'm not done watching yet but you've already done Lovecraft justice when discussing his writings. This bodes well for the rest of the video, hitting that sub button man, I'm interested in what you produce next.

[@VitoPlaysGames]

I assumed this dude had at least 100k subs, the quality is insane. Keep it up!

[@Parzivle]

Finally some good fuckin food. I feel like I’ve been looking for an interesting video of solid length for like an hour

[@ktk44man]

Funny thing is i was just reading The Scarlet Citadel in the Conan the barbarian series, and one of my first thoughts was "damn they threw conan into Funger!". I think this is relevant because the conan stories i think contributed a lot to cosmic horror ideas, especially considering RE howard and HP Lovecraft were penpals and their stories were displayed alongside each other in Weird Tales. I was kinda amazed when i actually saw the phrase "cosmic horror" in the conan story "The pheonix on the sword", could be wrong but to my knowledge that is probably one of the first actual uses of the phrase

[@DennisLjeti]

It'd be interesting to see who coined the term, many of Lovecraft's early essays focus on 'cosmicism', 'gothic horror', and/or 'weird fiction', so maybe Robert E. Howard helped the term come to popularity. That'd be fascinating!

[@perunakeitto_.3203]

Amazing video bro, subscribed🙏🙏

[@kelath5555]

Just discovered you, and this was a fantastic overview of a very dark game.

[@ltrigga219]

My highest praise about your skills as a video essayist might be that you used the compound plural “Residents Evil.” ❤️ Seriously though, really interesting ideas, incredibly well articulated with excellent swear word punctu-fucking-ations.

[@dafook7182]

I am commenting just to boost the algorithm. I believe in your work going far

[@endofdaysarcade]

This is such a well edited and explained video. Keep it up!

[@chaoticzer0688]

Awesome video my man! Between your video and Silver Eyepatch Wolfs video I’m looking forward to eventually checking this game out as a let’s play lol. Would like to see your take on something like Signalis which uses similar themes of Cosmic Horror with survival horror elements

[@DennisLjeti]

I love Signalis!

[@chaoticzer0688]

@@DennisLjeti I’m really enjoying my play through of it myself and it’s such a fun game with such a beautifully tragic story happening. It’s also one of the few games I’ve played that nails it’s use of cosmic horror to get said story across.

[@azvka]

Thx for this section on Lovecraft and the cosmic horror Great vid 10:14 I can't help but reflect on this quote with DarkSouls lore in my brain

[@Swaalee]

Great video ! Love your tone and flow, really cool to listen to ;)

[@brianspaulding1783]

Amazing video. Good work

[@Meteyard97]

Great video bro keep it up 💯

[@Herr_Gamer]

Great vid, I don’t have anything to play this on at the moment but now I really want to. The algorythm picked a good one today

[@spira-virgo5746]

Good sir, I need more essays like this pls ❤❤❤

[@aappaapp6627]

Love this video bro! Big fan of cosmic horror

[@alexwingopercussion]

Great video, great game! You've earned a new sub.

[@alilweeb7684]

Damn, really good video man

[@aray4031]

You produce good work. Keep going.

[@Mrhat5252]

Good video. Your voice is very soothing

[@degenerate1363]

Thanks for more wonderful content on this game amd its world

[@lixyororke]

Congrats on the video blowing up! Your style of analysis and humour scratches that same itch as some of my favourites like hbomberguy, so I hope you stick around and keep making these lore/analysis videos! Have a comment for the algorithm

[@uselessmemberofsociety4664]

Oddly enough, this game and the youtuber coverage of it has been my comfort content of choice for the last little while. I'm slowly getting better with treatment, but the last year or so I've been dealing with crippling anxiety and panic attacks that have sent me to the hospital on more than one occasion. So this cosmic horror is a more a celestial comfort for me, ironically lol. Maybe somebody can relate? Also if you're out there somewhere, kind stranger who held my hand in the ER during my panic attack, you're the real MVP and I haven't forgotten you. Anyways great job covering this subject OP, I love to see it when my indie horror fave gets its flowers / due respects. 🌆

[@DennisLjeti]

Wishing you all the best in your recovery

[@uselessmemberofsociety4664]

Thanks so much man, I really appreciate it.