“Cult of the Lamb” is a combination roguelike management sim that doesn’t seem built for fans of either genre. Its messy combat system and lack of dimension aren’t likely to satisfy what players expect of roguelikes, a genre defined by its punishingly difficult but tight gameplay and repetition. And as a management sim, it’s obscenely macabre, not exactly the best fit for a genre synonymous with cozy vibes. That left me wondering: Who is this for?
I initially thought the answer to that question would be a resounding “Me!” since its combination of cutesy visuals mixed with horror themes is very much up my alley. But as the credits rolled I just felt frustrated and unsatisfied — a dyed-in-the-wool skeptic, if you will.
The game begins with your death. Four eldritch deities of something called the “Old Faith” order their followers to execute you, speaking cryptically about preventing a prophecy. Your soul is saved by a mysterious being — “The One Who Waits Below” — who, evidentially, has beef with those other gods; you make a Faustian bargain to become his next earthly vessel to strike them down. He grants you the ability to use fearsome weapons and horrific curses that summon Lovecraftian horrors on the battlefield, but to grow stronger, you’ll need to cultivate a following of pious devotees willing to lay down their lives in your name.
Gameplay is split between roguelike dungeon-crawling and managing your flock and cult grounds. In each crusade through the procedurally generated dungeons, or the lands of the Old Faith, you’ll use your newfound abilities to tear through enemies, gather resources, steal devotion from the other four deities and convert their demonically warped followers to your cause.
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