I saw the Elder Sign and it opened up my mind, a game review
In Elder Sign, you’ve seen the sign, and it’s full of the deepest, darkest Lovecraftian terrors…. Who knew that a night at the museum could be so horrifying? Maybe it’s all those mummies and creepy eye-following portrait paintings, or maybe dark magicks are being bought and sold behind the scenes, even in the gift shop…
It’s up to you to defeat The Great Old Ones, Cthulu-Style…
Elder Sign hails from Arkham Horror Files through Fantasy Flight Games and was designed by Richard Launius and Kevin Wilson. Described as a game of suspense and supernatural investigation, essentially you and your friends are trapped in the museum trying to thwart the end of the world, classic cultist style. The Great Old Ones are rising up to join their wayward followers and it’s up to you to stop them. An Ancient One will be unleashed upon the unsuspecting world if you don’t prevail before world annihilation.
The museum has been a façade in which monsters and cultists facilitate the coming of the end by acting as harbingers of doom in so many different ways. The setting is vast but you can only explore a few rooms at a time, as laid out in an array of six cards drawn at random and replaced as the horrors within are defeated, some of which can unlock new locations in another dimension. Each room has a series of tasks that are accomplished by rolling special dice to match, making sure to satisfy all of the card requirements before vanquishing the evil lurking there.
So many people, so many ways to perish…
Investigators are drawn randomly from the character deck. Each possesses unique stats and abilities that aid them in some tasks, ignoring certain card effects, possessing talents useful in navigating otherworldly realms, gaining more loot, and so on. If your investigator perishes, you lose all of your swag and the world is one step closer to doomsday. But you can keep playing by drawing another investigator and rejoining the fray.
The goal is to collect Elder Signs, eldritch symbols that sealed away the Ancient Ones. How many such sigils you need varies depending on which Ancient One is about to be released. You can earn them from your adventures solving rooms in the museum or gain them using the spoils of your conquests. Items offer assistance in the form of extra dice, holding rolls for later use, and more. There are common items, unique items, spells, and even sidekicks that can aid you in a myriad of ways.
Well-guarded secrets lurk at every turn…
Elder Sign is a little too true to life for me – I almost didn’t review it because I have recurring amnesia when it comes to this game. Apparently the Great Old Ones have massive powers that extend beyond the cards and the dice and the walls of the museum that I am personally deeply attuned to. Fortunately my friends don’t seem to have this problem so they can keep me on track.
Hell, we must have played Elder Sign 4 or 5 times before I could even recognize or remember its name. Still now, the game itself is a complete blank to me every time we set it up until we get a ways in and it starts to be somewhat familiar again. And now it slips from my psyche even as I type this review.
The Good…
But I do enjoy the game. It’s another cooperative game, which I love. It scales well, whether you are playing solo or with 7 of your best buds. The fast-paced dice-rolling adventures and card text are flavorful and amusing. Although it can be frustrating going up against the same scenarios over and over when you are losing ground, the game is pretty easy to get the hang of (thank goodness since I have to relearn it every time).
The Bad…
My biggest gripe is that it often turns into a slogfest trying to get enough sigils to vanquish the rising evil, and so it goes on for a long long long long time. The game claims to only take 1-2 hours, but we typically seem to drag it out for much longer into the night.
The Ugly…
I am giving Elder Sign exactly 4 Cthulus. Since I can’t seem to recall why I wouldn’t give it more or less, it is earning precisely 4. I can only invite you to explore the museum and thwart the horrors that lurk behind the beautifully curated displays to save the world for yourselves, as I have no recollection of what we were just talking about…
(4 / 5)
As always, if you buy anything from the links provided, we will get some $ back. And check out more game reviews on Haunted MTL here.
Gaming
Lovecraft Meets Junji Ito in WORLD OF HORROR
WORLD OF HORROR is a cosmic horror roguelite game developed by Paweł Koźmiński and published by Ysbryd Games.
WORLD OF HORROR is a cosmic horror roguelite game developed by Paweł Koźmiński and published by Ysbryd Games. The game is available on macOS, Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation 5. This review will cover the Steam (Windows) version of the game.
You must explore the strange goings on around Shiokawa, Japan. It appears that eldritch forces have influenced the town in incomprehensible ways. So, attempt to comprehend these forces and maintain your sanity to save the town. Plan your investigations, choose between cases, and fight for your life.
There are a few game modes but three difficulty spikes. The easiest is a specific case with some random events. This mode teaches you the basic mechanics of the game. The harder difficulties give you access to an apartment and choices on which case you investigate. Completing objectives earns you customization options for the customized mode.
What I Like About WORLD OF HORROR
Running on GameMaker Studios, the pixelated aesthetic shows influences from Lovecraft and Junji Ito, though the latter more so than the former. WORLD OF HORROR haunts its viewers with its aesthetic, allowing the pixels to evoke those horror legends.
Random generation remains a key feature of the game, with various options and choices giving a massive variety. Your character also has some limited customization to access perks and further development. I will bring up some weaknesses later, but it is surprisingly vast. Adding to this variety, WORLD OF HORROR provides mod accessibility.
The combat allows for a great deal of thought and planning. You select your character’s actions within an action bar and perform the tasks (or combos) to beat an opponent. This JRPG style provides variety in action that makes it engaging and unique.
The random generation and variety make each playthrough different. You might acquire a devastating katana in one playthrough only to bleed out unceremoniously in another.
While not a terrifying gaming experience, WORLD OF HORROR strives to provide an eerie and intense experience. At this, the game is a success. The weird and unnerving collide to invest the player in this strange world.
Tired Tropes and Triggers
Body horror deserves a mention, but the aesthetic and pixels doesn’t particularly evoke realism. Regardless, many designs evoke body horror.
Aside from this, here are some points of consideration. First, WORLD OF HORROR uses JRPG turn-based combat, which seems a point of division among some gamers. However, there are enough interesting mechanics and complexities beyond clicking an action and waiting your turn.
Second, WORLD OF HORROR isn’t a cult detective. You’re experiencing events and choosing how your character responds. Some sage wisdom I heard for WORLD OF HORROR is to focus on the whole campaign instead of a single case. Failing a case isn’t a game over, so prioritize your character’s longevity.
What I Dislike About WORLD OF HORROR
Only a few issues hindered my experience. Some scenarios replay on a single case, let alone a playthrough, which becomes repetitive. Some scenarios have multiple solutions to add variety or require perks to access new options, but that’s not always true. This issue makes the randomization taxing at times.
This next issue is likely a bug or an oversight. After losing my reason (sanity), I found myself still able to investigate despite the game claiming that means death. An unrelated event finished me off, but I can’t help but assume this is a bug.
Final Thoughts
WORLD OF HORROR has its quirks but earns massive replay value and surprising depth. It’s a unique and ambitious indie title worth the price. If Junji Ito’s style or cosmic horror is your particular brand of horror, WORLD OF HORROR delivers an experience you’ll likely enjoy. Though this combination synergizes well, few games combine these elements successfully.
(4.5 / 5)
Step into the mind-bending world of Eldritch Automata as we sit down with Game Designer Nick Francia at GenCon 2024!
Uncover the secrets behind this Lovecraftian mecha-masterpiece and get a glimpse of what’s to come.
In this exclusive interview, Nick Francia shares:
• The intricate game development process • Inspirations behind the eerie Lovecraftian elements
• Unique mecha-infused gameplay mechanics Calling all Lovecraft fans! Dive into a world where eldritch horrors meet steam-powered marvels.
Eldritch Automata promises an unforgettable gaming experience that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
👉 Ready to embrace the madness? Check out our playable demo at a con near you! #EldritchAutomata #GenCon2024 #LovecraftianGaming #IndieGameDev
Prepare for a spine-chilling experience as Jim Phoenix delves into the shadows with Trick or Treat Studios at GenCon 2024!
In this exclusive interview, we uncover the terrifying secrets behind their latest bone-chilling creations: “House of 1000 Corpses” and “Halloween II” board games.
These games aren’t just about rolling dice – they’re about immersing yourself in the blood-curdling atmosphere of beloved horror films. With unique survival (and kill!) horror mechanics and cooperative gameplay, you’ll feel the terror coursing through your veins with every move!
But wait, there’s more! With the Kickstarter to House of 1000 Corpses shipping soon, we have an in-depth review coming up for that game, Halloween II–AND…Chucky. BOOMMM!!!
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