Cultist Simulator, Weather Factory’s narrative-based cardgame about unlocking the secrets of the occult, has made its way to the Switch courtesy of Playdigious. So how does Cultist Simulator: Initiate Edition hold up?
Well, quite well, provided you’re the right person for it. Even the devs will note that it’s probably not everyone’s cup of tea. This is because the game is based around trial and error (nigh on to a fault; even with the added beginner’s guide, new players will struggle when it comes to figuring out the interface and necessary early game actions). The first screen on booting up basically tells you as much below a scrap of in-universe prose. Chances are good that, while you’re figuring things out, you’re going to die. But the knowledge you, the player, gained will help you next time around. In that way, it’s a sort of roguelike.
That having been said, because the nature of the game is based on the narrative it tells, it’s kind of hard to talk about that without worrying about spoiling something or other for someone else. Not like I’d argue I got terribly far or anything. Founding your cult is a big decision, and I wanted a good amount of lore to choose from to do so; but since book acquisition is somewhat random… it can take a while.
Basically, what I’m driving at is that a big part of whether you like the game or not is based on your enjoyment of the somewhat Lovecraftian flavor of it. While it’s nowhere near as dire, most lore is described as monstrous, and while there are peaceful ways to obtain what you want, “cracking a few eggs” is a faster way to get there. It’ll also probably leave something for investigators to sniff around on, but that’s just how the game goes.
As far as Cultist Simulator: Initiate Edition goes, it offers the first 3 pieces of DLC, The Dancer, The Priest, and The Ghoul. Each of which offers a different starting point once your current run inevitably ends. The Exile is also available for $6.99. Aside from DLC, the game features a different interface from the PC and mobile versions of the game. It’s overall, somewhat more organized in a few ways. At the same time, you have less ability to rearrange aspects of the interface, and there’s no easy way of organizing your cards on any tab other than manually…which with cards going to and from the tab will inevitably cause to revert to disarray.
There are some inherently pleasant things about the gameplay, though. Notably, while certain verbs (tasks and events that pop up) automatically suck up certain cards from your inventory (the verb is marked with a magnet in that case), it’s accompanied by a sound effect. This is actually important, as it tells you to slam the breaks on time to check out what’s happening; doubly so, since these always pop up while running out the clock on mundane things like your job or study subjects.
Another is the artwork. All of the cards are colorful and pleasant to look at, and are overall hard to get confused with, barring some exceptions. That said, there’s a lot of them, and your collection will grow to an uncomfortable level somewhat quickly.
Overall, however, the game is about learning how to play it. The constant obfuscation is not a bug, it’s a feature. And dying or otherwise hitting and endgame goal isn’t a game over, but an opportunity to start again and try something different.
The soundtrack is all pleasant and mood setting fare. Sound effects are all satisfying to the ear. These are both important, as this isn’t a jump and shoot game; your enjoyment is based on atmosphere and flavor, and it has both in spades.
Notably, the game is quite good on the Switch, with slowdown only occurring on autosave (which you can alter the interval for in the options menu). I found myself playing in short bursts more than anything else. Also, I played primarily undocked; the touch screen makes it easy to quickly select and place cards. It also makes it easy to fit a short session in anywhere; I found I rarely had any trouble remembering what I was supposed to be doing between sessions.
So, overall, Id’ say Cultist Simulator: Initiate Edition is a good purchase if you own a Switch. Granted, it certainly isn’t for everybody, and relies not only on players of a particular bent (“I’ll figure it out and enjoy doing so!”), but also on the enjoyment of its overall flavor. If one of these is missing on your end, you’re probably not in for a good time; doubly so, as the game really doesn’t do much to explain its mechanics (this, for example, is the manual you get with the game). But it is rewarding if its your type of thing. It is, after all, up to you to find your Way.
Pros:
+ Atmosphere
+ Story
+ Excellent design and soundwork
Cons:
– There’s really not much of a tutorial
– It has very niche appeal
Final Score
*A review copy was provided by the publisher*
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