Lovecraft's Untold Stories

 Xbox One
Metascore
65

Mixed or average reviews - based on 4 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 4
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 4
  3. Negative: 1 out of 4
  1. XBLA Fans
    May 31, 2019
    40
    It’s not that I didn’t like what I played, but that I couldn’t enjoy it more. You’re forced to abide by randomness. The less control I have in a game, the less I want to continue on with it. I liked the style and theme. The mazes were great and shooting monsters is always a pleasure. But then you die. That powerful new rifle you bought is no longer in your inventory. The shop that sold it might not have it in stock anymore. And they are overpriced anyway. Damage over time seems to ruin the combat. Everything I liked was overshadowed by exactly what H.P. Lovecraft was all about. Madness. If Untold Stories was meant to create that feeling in real life, then it sure succeeded.

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User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 2
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  1. Xbox_Alive
    May 10, 2019
    8
    Lovecraft's Untold Stories presents a variety of enemies and the boss battles have a lot of creativity and punch which makes defeating themLovecraft's Untold Stories presents a variety of enemies and the boss battles have a lot of creativity and punch which makes defeating them feel quite rewarding. Lovecraft’s Untold Stories features a number of many genres rolled into one nice package and most of these have been done very well. which in turn means that the game is really enjoyable and unique at the same time. The main gameplay is battling a variety of enemies and solving puzzles, and I’m pleased that the combat is solid even if it does lack a small amount of depth overall. Thankfully this is quickly overlooked due to the uniqueness each character has in Lovecraft's Untold Stories and each character has a different story means that playing as each one feels important. The enemies and the level design are top notch. Each enemy poses its own problem and you’ll find that not only are the bosses most creative, but they are also provide a rewarding feeling to defeat. Lovecraft's Untold Stories can be unforgiving in difficulty at times so prepare yourself for a few possible frustrating moments on occasion. Despite this little bit of frustration you will become more determined to persevere. Lovecraft’s Untold Stories definitely thinks outside of the box and despite a few shortcomings they don’t really impact your experience in the end.… Full Review »
  2. GamerGuysNGals
    May 11, 2019
    9
    "Lovecraft’s Untold Stories”
    Reviewed by: Elias S. Lutes
    Publisher: BLG-Publishing Developer: Blini Games Platforms: PC, Nintendo Switch    "Lovecraft’s Untold Stories”
    Reviewed by: Elias S. Lutes
    Publisher: BLG-Publishing
    Developer: Blini Games
    Platforms: PC, Nintendo Switch

    Lovecraft’s Untold Stories begins with a mysterious telegram, and a man with a shotgun outside in the pouring rain. Trees are down, the cops have the roads shutdown, and you make your way to a dark, sprawling mansion with little equipment, and a lot of curiosity.

    The first level is just what you would expect from something Lovecraftian — a set of dark rooms illuminated by faint firelight, with cultists lurking behind closed doors. You’ll find all sorts of tools and information strewn throughout the chambers, and clever procedurally-generates layout means nothing is ever the same twice.

    As you travel onward, more information is uncovered about the predicament you’re in, and other levels have intriguing oddities: giant penguins to protect, zombies to slay, and an unraveling story that seems to become less and less important in favor of shotgunning down droves of enemies, all the while trying not to lose your own sanity after encounters with monsters and information that you’d rather never you laid eyes on.

    The game has elements of shooters, survival horror, RPG’s, and rogue-lites. The different characters you unlock through progression have small quirks that make them unique, and since the game is never the same twice, this gives all the more reason to replay with a newly unlocked protagonist. (My favorite so far is the thief.)

    Graphically, the game focuses on quality pixel art that lends itself well to the dark rooms - candlelight and shadows are cast exceptionally well and in outdoor areas the colors really pop! Icons are easily discernible and items are easy to spot once you get used to breaking open boxes and collecting tools to use against the eldritch horrors that await you. Inventory management á la Resident Evil is crucially important, and you’ll be moving around your items and sorting through what to keep and what to toss on the regular.

    A shining piece of this experience is the soundtrack. The music for each level suits the adventure incredibly well, lending ambience and true world building to each place to explore. From the sounds of rain to the low growls from the monsters you fight, everything seems to have been lovingly made to increase the immersion.

    Pros:
    -High replay value
    -Fantastic soundtrack

    Cons:
    -Hard to aim
    -A and B are flipped on Switch, so it takes a little getting used to to navigate menus.

    Overall: 9
    Lovecraft’s Untold Stories is a fantastic port to the Nintendo Switch, with wonderful gameplay and fantastical environments to explore and rid of creatures from beyond — a must have for any horror enthusiast, and a suggested pickup for anyone in the mood for a traipse through the darkness and threat of insanity for the sake of good old adventure.    … Full Review »