I’ve been reading way too many recently published #CallOfCthulhu scenarios that feature a perfunctory investigation before the Investigators board a train to creepy town that is a one way exercise in hit point and SAN attrition. Sure, some of the imagery is very creepy, but something is definitely missing, that being real problem solving and meaningful choices.
@chakatfirepaw@Tim_Eagon@luxet That would certainly provide a wider framing experience that would play into actual ongoing gameplay.
But does it accord with the kind of stories and literature that inspire the Cthulhu mythos? I don't really think that it does, unfortunately.
Now, there are games already extant which play to that particular game style and still allow for engaging with "Cthulhuan phenomena." The 1986 West End Games Ghostbusters RPG (https://ghostbusterscities.com/media/ghostbusters-the-roleplaying-game/) is a fine example of a game which is specifically set up to do exactly that. So is the later InSpectres (https://preview.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/17891/InSpectres), which also takes the conceit that it's all being filmed as a reality TV show, including individual asides to comment on the action that's currently going on. It's really a brilliant take on using flashbacks and flash asides to inform ongoing play.
I would be willing to assert that the BRP Call of Cthulhu RPG is too heavy to do the "one-shot" playstyle that a lot of the source material almost demands. And that's why some of the other more recent, lighter weight RPGs seem to deliver better on that core competency.