Arkham Horror: Mother's Embrace

 Switch
User Score
6.0

Mixed or average reviews- based on 6 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 6
  3. Negative: 2 out of 6

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  1. TheRealRich
    Mar 26, 2021
    6
    This is a mostly fun adventure romp which builds through it’s ten or so hours of gameplay, however it is rarely challenging and was let down by a rather flat ending.

    At the start you are presented with a choice of characters, with some variation in stats and strengths, which on your first play through will be hard to distinguish. It doesn’t overly matter as you begin to add new party    This is a mostly fun adventure romp which builds through it’s ten or so hours of gameplay, however it is rarely challenging and was let down by a rather flat ending.

    At the start you are presented with a choice of characters, with some variation in stats and strengths, which on your first play through will be hard to distinguish. It doesn’t overly matter as you begin to add new party members through the story and may well stop sending your initial character out on missions at all. With hindsight there are starting choices that may have better complemented the rest of the team although I can see no reason to replay such a story driven game after the first run through.

    The gameplay loop of exploration, investigation and combat works well enough, especially through the opening scenarios as each builds in complexity and potential threat. The environments are decent here and some of the puzzles, while easily solved if you pay attention, are still intriguing. Investigation brings risks, occasionally negating sanity - why did I look too closely at that corpse! - but of course you mostly check everything to uncover potential puzzle clues, story and resources. Items seem scarce, physically degrading with use, and a limited carry capacity means tough choices over necessity. The inevitable drain of sanity, as well as the ever ticking mythos clock, provide a certain tension and knowing just when a character could succumb to their traumas made each investigation and fight a tactical consideration.

    Combat felt more challenging at the outset however was generally too easy and most enemies, especially in the last few scenarios, could be dispatched with a couple of gun shots and a well timed knife strike. This meant I ignored many of the magic and bonus items and, apart from topping up ammo, this made investigation even more unnecessary so it began to feel like an obligation on my part (especially considering the tiny font used for item descriptions).

    It’s those closing stages that most let the game down, that and the rather wooden animations that render the unspeakable horrors as bland wriggly blobs, but I did mostly enjoy the experience. It does however feel a little overpriced considering it’s flaws. Cthulhu games can be miserably punishing experiences that leave a player feeling powerless, and I’m glad not to have been so thoroughly whipped, but it turns out I like my elder gods to have at least a little more bite.    … Expand
  2. ConraDargo
    Mar 29, 2021
    7
    Take the game for what it is, and SEE it for what it is, and you'll have a very joyful experience! It definitely helps if you, like myself, is a board gamer who has experience with the Arkham Horror games and Mansions of Madness. Cuz it's really clear that that's where the developers got most of their ideas and inspiration from, as is to be expected - since that's what they do: they turnTake the game for what it is, and SEE it for what it is, and you'll have a very joyful experience! It definitely helps if you, like myself, is a board gamer who has experience with the Arkham Horror games and Mansions of Madness. Cuz it's really clear that that's where the developers got most of their ideas and inspiration from, as is to be expected - since that's what they do: they turn board games into digital experiences!

    And this particular "port" is a really good one imo. It has a good, old-school Lovecrafty feel to it with the way the camera works and how certain scenes have been directed, combined with a fitting soundtrack. I think that the presentation is really good and well thought-out! As for the gameplay, I'm certain that many will find it clunky and as old-fashioned as the game's graphics, but to me it all blends in with the general old-school feel and the fact that the developers are making digital versions out of board games!

    I enjoy the mix of real-time exploring/investigation with turn-based combat and the many RPG-features that the game has, especially since it (once again) ties in well with the board games. And interestingly enough you'll always have to think twice about what to have a closer look at in the environment, as many things will leave your characters mentally scarred - and you might not even be rewarded with an item for it! This prevents a leave-no-stone-unturned behavior, which I think is great.
    Also, the voice actors does a surprisingly good job with delivering all the spoken dialogue.    … Expand