Cultist Simulator 12+

The clue’s in the name. You’re playing a cultist, but less of the chanting and murder aesthetic and more of the slightly maddened researcher uncovering the hidden truths behind the world... and learning to use them. The mythos is incredible and built from the ground up in a way that delights readers, but feels fresh and new and almost obsessive to learn more about due to how carefully it’s been constructed.

Make no mistake that this is a card game and there is plate spinning involved, and a lot of trial and error. But it’s very cool that that kind of mirrors the experience of being a cultist - you don’t know what you’re doing, and you’re dying, and then, all of a sudden, there is the euphoria of a breakthrough. I’m a big fan.

I would definitely recommend this game if you have good headphones and an overactive imagination. It’s words on a page and a sense of figuring out things as you place down your cards in different tiles and use reading comprehension and a very... odd sense of logic, to figure out what might just happen. You make the story happen in your mind, but this game provides the encouragement to make it something magical.

To put it simply, if you like managing multiple nodes at the same time to survive (like in mini Metro), you will like this game. If you like finding secrets, exploring new paths, delving into mysteries... you will like this game.

I haven’t been this hooked in a long, long time. I was apprehensive of the lack of tutorial warning, since the last game I tried warned of the same thing and I was too confused to understand and enjoy. For this game, the confusion is purposeful. The basics are obvious, so you can hop right in. Click and drag: that’s it. You click and drag the card to the square. There’s even a manual to explain (which made me wonder about the no-tutorial thing but whatever).

What’s confusing is how to survive; how to balance the different elements so you don’t perish; and what elements unlock new things. And that’s the purpose of the game; to discover those things. Easy to learn, hard to master and all of that jazz. The mechanics fit brilliantly. You don’t grind for unlocks but you won’t go through any one play through where you haven’t discovered another cool thing to explore — and another way to die. But since you are constantly progressing, death is insignificant, not annoying. It’s a progression game done right.

Not to mention, the atmosphere, sound effects, music, writing and style blend together seamlessly. In fact, the writing is lyrical and brilliant. No easy sentences or rough translation here. I have yet to encounter any bugs.

Extremely great game, whether you’re looking to pass the time or delve into lovecraftianesque lore. No tutorial, and little explanation past the initial actions (which is an intentional feature, not an overlooked flaw). Some bugs, but none that are game breaking. A bit of grinding in the mid to late game, though if at any point you slip up you could end up in jail, or find yourself wasting away from despair or going insane.

Almost exactly the same as the computer version. My main complaint is that the table is noticeably smaller, leaving much less room for the dozens and hundreds of cards one can collect during a play through. I’ve been able to make it more manageable by reducing the grid snap size to 1/2, but it’s still frustrating at times. I haven’t gotten far enough to see if they have the apostle legacies or the dancer dlc, but the base game is still very much worth the price.