Call of Cthulhu

 Xbox One
User Score
6.3

Mixed or average reviews- based on 64 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 25 out of 64
  2. Mixed: 26 out of 64
  3. Negative: 13 out of 64
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  1. Xbox_Alive
    Nov 1, 2018
    7
    The story was gripping and interesting from start to finish and the characters that were present had a lot of diversity which in turn made the story come alive. The presentation side of the game has a few shortcomings on the whole I enjoyed what both the visuals and sound design brought to the table.
    In terms of content the game has a decent amount for you to sink your teeth into and it    The story was gripping and interesting from start to finish and the characters that were present had a lot of diversity which in turn made the story come alive. The presentation side of the game has a few shortcomings on the whole I enjoyed what both the visuals and sound design brought to the table.
    In terms of content the game has a decent amount for you to sink your teeth into and it also has a decent amount of replayability present as well. I enjoyed most of the puzzles in the game because they combined with the different environments extremely well which in turn made the game scary at times. The stealth and shooting sequences in the game failed to pack a punch and on the whole they weren’t very enjoyable. I would’ve liked to have been able to have more freedom because doing certain things carries with it a lot of limitations. In my opinion the gameplay is too simplistic for its own good and this does make the immersion levels dwindle a little. I’ve been following the development progress of Call of Cthulhu for a while now and everything I saw during this process made me become even more interested and excited with how the final phase of the game would play out. After sinking quite a few hours into the game it became clear that it wasn’t going to reach my lofty expectations but thankfully even though it didn’t reach these expectations it’s still a pretty decent game. One of my favourite things about this game was its story and that’s mainly because it remains gripping at all times and the characters did a wonderful job of bringing the story to life. In terms of the gameplay it’s a bit of a mixed bag. On the one hand you have some decent puzzles that connect with the story really well but on the other you have poor shooting and stealth sequences that ultimately hold the game back a little. I would also have liked a little more freedom when it came to certain aspects as well because it does make the gameplay more simplistic than it needs to be. That being said despite its shortcomings Call of Cthulhu still does enough to get a recommendation from me because it has a uniqueness that is worth experiencing in the end.    … Expand
  2. Vikn01776
    Dec 1, 2019
    8
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Give it a chance past the first two chapters. I almost gave up on it. The character models, lip synching and early voice acting and dialogue are horrendous but things really improve and clean up past that point. The custom aspects of Pierce and the overall polish and wuality vastly improve past chapter 2. It almost feel like someone else made the game past that point. It is far from perfect, but the game itself is very enjoyable if you are aware of the type of game youre getting into.… Expand
  3. RaDarthManthys
    Feb 19, 2020
    8
    Maybe It shows, but has a good narrative. If you like The H.P. Lovecraft work, you should play It. ITS nota perfect. But i liked It.
  4. Leethegamingdad
    Apr 15, 2021
    8
    I personally feel this game deserves better than both the user score and critic scores suggest.
    It's by no means a perfect game and nor does it showcase stellar graphics that push consoles to it's limits. However not every game should be expected to achieve such a feat.
    What this game set out to achieve is a truly Lovecraftian atmosphere. And it does exactly that. The idea of digging    I personally feel this game deserves better than both the user score and critic scores suggest.
    It's by no means a perfect game and nor does it showcase stellar graphics that push consoles to it's limits. However not every game should be expected to achieve such a feat.
    What this game set out to achieve is a truly Lovecraftian atmosphere.

    And it does exactly that.
    The idea of digging around for clues is something that doesn't come naturally to me as a gamer, but from the moment I was thrust into the role of Edward Pierce I searched every corner of every room.

    It's very well written too. Animations are lacking but it's a solid game.

    I was intrigued about the lore and the base material from minute one so I'd ordered the entire Lovecraft collection.

    Keep an eye out on Amazon for my review of that ;)    … Expand
  5. popppty
    Oct 30, 2018
    10
    Very good game a bit lacking of direction. Good plot and superb acting on the story side.
  6. Sinefold
    Oct 30, 2018
    10
    Very atmospheric game. For lovers of creativity Lovecraft the most it. The graphics are not at an ideal level, but for me this is not the main thing.
  7. gabrielpina4
    Oct 30, 2018
    10
    You will love the story its even better then red dead redemption the story grips you from the beginning to the end! Its like watch a 20hr movie but instead your playing it! Graphics aren't really the best its actually quite disappointing looks like ogxbox /ps2 game yep it really that bad they put zero efforts into graphics! But the story is probably the best this year!
  8. Cinna
    Oct 31, 2018
    0
    I’m so irritated that I fell for the hype and bought this overpriced, terrible game. Graphics are amateur, voice acting bad, levels are filled with invisible walls, investigation is tedious. I bought a digital copy so I can’t even return it. Maybe worth 10$, six months from now in the discount bin.
  9. spaznick
    Oct 30, 2018
    0
    Wow, what a pile of trash, exploit the IP to get a few quick buys.... shameful
  10. TheQuietGamer
    Jul 5, 2021
    9
    A first-person survival horror, detective simulator RPG. Like most games from developer Cyanide it's a lower budget title. Something you can see in things like the dated graphics and atrociously long load times. Hiding underneath its lackluster presentation however is a deceptively deep experience with one of the richest narratives I've come across in all my years of gaming, making for oneA first-person survival horror, detective simulator RPG. Like most games from developer Cyanide it's a lower budget title. Something you can see in things like the dated graphics and atrociously long load times. Hiding underneath its lackluster presentation however is a deceptively deep experience with one of the richest narratives I've come across in all my years of gaming, making for one incredible dive into the depths of insanity and Lovecraftian lore.

    The gameplay is primarily a mix of exploration and puzzle solving, with the occasional stealth section and combat scenario thrown in for good measure. You often have multiple ways to complete your objectives, which encourages experimentation and thoroughness when combing the environments for useful items or information. Searching every nook and cranny will not only reveal all your options for progression, but also rewards players with bits of backstory and clues that can unlock special branches of dialog when talking to NPCs.

    The most common way to gain new knowledge though is through skill checks. You essentially have 7 different educations or abilities to invest in, and which ones you choose directly affect what you are able to learn. This being a Lovecraftian adventure each new revelation has a serious impact and your character's mental state, which in turn influences which ending you can receive. Your decisions don't necessarily take you on any radically diverging paths like, say, The Witcher 2 would, but they do offer enough subtle differences to make it worth a second playthrough if you wanted to see how things like another build or dialog choice changes things.

    In fact, I'd say going through this more than once is arguably the best way to experience it because you can pick up on all the little details you might have missed. After finishing it the first time I immediately started over and was blown away by how complex my interactions with the story actually were. I was still completing the same stages and tasks, but found myself heading towards an entirely different outcome as my character's understanding of events was radically unlike that of the one on my previous save.

    While the mechanics are great, it wouldn't really matter if there wasn't a strong plot to back them up. Luckily, the game delivers in that department as well. As someone relatively unfamiliar with the cthulhu mythos, I was pulled in by its twisted nature and cosmic implications. Everyone you encounter is so well-written and supported by phenomenal voice acting, even if the protagonist seems to struggle with expressing the appropriate emotions in some situations. All of which make for a mystery so enticing and haunting that you can't help but be glued to your controller until the credits roll. By the time I had earned the very last achievement I already knew this had become one of my favorite horror games of all time. Second only to the legendary Silent Hill 2. So naturally I can only give this my highest recommendations.    … Expand
  11. Joellemm
    Feb 22, 2020
    4
    The atmosphere and setting are the game's highlights. There are some beautifully crafted environments that are enjoyable to explore. Characters have more depth than found in most videogames, and the plot is interesting enough to warrant the full playthrough. Already, i'm struggling for positives however. Writing is predictably bad at times, voice-acting is poor, and there are some clearThe atmosphere and setting are the game's highlights. There are some beautifully crafted environments that are enjoyable to explore. Characters have more depth than found in most videogames, and the plot is interesting enough to warrant the full playthrough. Already, i'm struggling for positives however. Writing is predictably bad at times, voice-acting is poor, and there are some clear technical limitations, evidenced most plainly, by the outdated graphics. The gameplay, which, for a "game", takes a backseat, consists of very straightforward puzzles, dialogue options and sometimes running away. Its not especially fun. Overall, its a disappointing experience.… Expand
  12. Pachuli1981
    Dec 11, 2019
    7
    Una excelente ambientación pero con unas mecánicas que en ocasiones resultan excesivamente simples .El universo de Lovecraft recibe un nuevo juego que podría haber llegado a ser algo muy notable.
  13. tarsisgabriel
    Feb 19, 2020
    7
    Boa narrativa, jogabilidade simples, gráficos fracos mas atendem a proposta.
  14. Gman117
    Sep 2, 2019
    7
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. The main character was pretty cool, the graphics weren't anything great but that doesn't ruin the overall experience most of the time. What breaks the immersion is the often awful lip-syncing. I'm surprised this was never fixed or updated because if the lip sync was perfect then the experience would make this so much better.
    The story itself is captivating at times, but the linearity can dull the senses. I'm pretty sure this is a low budget game I might be wrong, so I'm willing to let some things pass. The environments are sometimes some of the sweetest parts to just look at.
    SPOILERS:

    The greatest disappointment was Cthulhu himself. After the short 10-12 hour game, you are merely rewarded with a 2 second flash of Cthulhu's shadow. I don't know if there is a different ending I only had two but I wanted to see Cthulhu in his massive scope.
    Just get this game when it's on sale.    … Expand
  15. SenorKoquonfaes
    Nov 14, 2019
    5
    Having not been a fan of either the table top game, the Cthulhu mythos or Lovecraftian lore, I went into this game with no expectations or pre-conceived notions. I feel like if I had been a Cthulhu fan, I might have been able to appreciate this game a bit more than I did; I can certainly recommend it to fans.

    The animations look really janky, there were a couple of instances where the    Having not been a fan of either the table top game, the Cthulhu mythos or Lovecraftian lore, I went into this game with no expectations or pre-conceived notions. I feel like if I had been a Cthulhu fan, I might have been able to appreciate this game a bit more than I did; I can certainly recommend it to fans.

    The animations look really janky, there were a couple of instances where the voices didn't always sync up with the characters' mouths (this was apparent towards the end of the game) and the in-game character models look very "last-gen", the way the game renders characters hair looks like they're attracting swarms of flies. This is in contrast to the cut scene graphics looking far more polished.

    The puzzles in the game are pretty straight-forward and there are some stealth and shooting elements to the game, although the insta-kill/insta-fail sections involving "The Shambler" can absolutely go **** themselves. The detective mode is pretty much just find the somewhat highlighted clue and press a button to continue, so nothing overly obtuse there.

    In terms of the art direction, I hope you like the colour green or the colour green mixed in with a ting of muddy grey. Some areas such as the Mansion, I think are well designed but other than that it's just green tinting everywhere. It's particularly obvious during the game's final hour or so. I will say that the dark, misty environment works well when you're exploring the island. It really gives you a sense of depression and dread taking over the place.

    The game's level design isn't all that great. It's very indicative of it's relatively smaller budget and resource availability. The levels are pretty well just a bunch of independently developed set pieces with no connectivity to one another.

    I imagine the game has some replay value to it, given that the game delivers bits of dialogue through dialogue trees and certain interactions with either NPCs or the environment flash a "this will affect your destiny" disclaimer. There may also be clues and information that you may have missed on your first play through. There's also some light RPG mechanics in that you can customize your characters abilities in "Eloquence", "Strength" and "Investigation" just to name a few.    … Expand
  16. Ekon
    Mar 23, 2021
    7
    This is a very intriguing and suspenseful game with some genuinely scary moments. There is an inter-dimensional creature called, 'The Shambler' lurking in the shadows and this monster steals the show for awhile. Be sure to set your brightness bar in the middle, or you won't be able to see a thing if you follow their instructions, which are misleading. The main character is a grubby,This is a very intriguing and suspenseful game with some genuinely scary moments. There is an inter-dimensional creature called, 'The Shambler' lurking in the shadows and this monster steals the show for awhile. Be sure to set your brightness bar in the middle, or you won't be able to see a thing if you follow their instructions, which are misleading. The main character is a grubby, but tough and caring guy who is tracking down the mystery surrounding a fire in some off shore mansion shrouded in mist and shadow. My main complaint is that there is no way of knowing which of your actions will determine the four possible endings. I played the game twice just to get a specific ending and followed the on-line suggestions, but it didn't pan out. If you like a gloomy mystery then I think you'll go for this game.… Expand
  17. Kingjavabean
    Jul 14, 2022
    8
    While this game has many flaws I will say it deserves a positive review. It feels like a ps2 game graphic wise, bad lip sync and some of the voice acting. But as the game goes on it improves a good deal, the story is interesting the different endings were fun to discover, and I enjoyed the characters. The stealth scenes felt annoying and dealing with the shambler was just down rightWhile this game has many flaws I will say it deserves a positive review. It feels like a ps2 game graphic wise, bad lip sync and some of the voice acting. But as the game goes on it improves a good deal, the story is interesting the different endings were fun to discover, and I enjoyed the characters. The stealth scenes felt annoying and dealing with the shambler was just down right annoying but over all I’m happy I played it and the story makes up for the less than mediocre graphics of the game. I definitely wouldn’t have paid more than $10 for this game however.… Expand
  18. Rick444
    Apr 17, 2020
    7
    The game is actually better than expected for a books fan. It is an adventure RPG game (yes like the board rpg game!) and not a shooter. Your RPG skills are not focused on shooting and killing but on things like occult or medical knowledge, psychology etc etc. Which works pretty good in the game which was a pleasant surprise. The graphics are also ok.

    The bad is that the it is way too    The game is actually better than expected for a books fan. It is an adventure RPG game (yes like the board rpg game!) and not a shooter. Your RPG skills are not focused on shooting and killing but on things like occult or medical knowledge, psychology etc etc. Which works pretty good in the game which was a pleasant surprise. The graphics are also ok.

    The bad is that the it is way too over the top in some moments. Like the green air which is nothing like the books described, the incredibly frightening looking rocks which have also nothing to do with the books. It's too much a try too hard at some times in terms of the graphics.

    And the ugly.... Obviously is the gore the flesh and all the other try too hard too obvious clichés. The point of Lovecraft books was doubt suspicion a mystery. This story is waaaayyy to descriptive at times. Ok we get it! Way too direct for a Lovecraft story    … Expand
  19. fernandovfv
    Mar 1, 2021
    7
    7/10 .

Awards & Rankings

41
#41 Most Discussed Xbox One Game of 2018
50
#50 Most Shared Xbox One Game of 2018

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
66

Mixed or average reviews - based on 12 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 12
  3. Negative: 1 out of 12
  1. Gaming Age
    Jan 7, 2019
    67
    Your enjoyment of Call of Cthulhu will depend entirely on what you’re expecting. If you want to be scared, look elsewhere, because this game will just come off as boring. If, however, you want a decent mystery, and don’t mind sitting through a few dumb attempts at stealth and scares, then this might just be up your alley.
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  2. Generación Xbox
    Nov 19, 2018
    80
    With a terrific plot and setting but simplistic mechanics, Call of Cthulhu is still a very competent mystery game, and probably the best Lovecraft adaptation to video games till now. Starts good, somewhat loses direction in the middle and ends superbly.
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  3. Xbox Tavern
    Nov 7, 2018
    64
    If you’re in the market for a first person horror game, you can go much worse than Call of Cthulhu, but be prepared for a lack of any real scares. The game leans heavily on the story and exploration of environments, so much so that when it does attempt the creepy stuff, it mostly comes off underdeveloped and a bit out of place. Go along with it though, and there’s something strangely compelling within.
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