Story Spoilers: Nyarlathotep?

[Lightice]

...so he's like the Shadow?

Does the Shadow require regular human sacrifices from people who try their hand at interdimensional travel?

...yes. At least, that's what Alexander, man from another world, had convinced Daniel into believing. Anyways, they're both 'guardians' against things humanity was not yet ready to harness.

Point. I interpreted the Shadow more like an impersonal force of nature than an intelligent entity, though. But yeah, the Shadow from the first game seemed pretty closely inspired by Lovecraft's The Hound and the Haunter of the Dark. The latter just so happens be an aspect of Nyarlathotep.