‘Tis the season to be spooky, and publisher Focus Home Interactive and developer Cyanide Studio are doing just that with the release of Call of Cthulhu. Originally a short story written by H.P. Lovecraft and adapted into several other forms of entertainment over the years, we’re now here with a new video game adaptation to sink our teeth into.
Cyanide Studio managed to deliver a solid game here, even if it’s obvious that it doesn’t quite have the budget or polish to bring it into the ranks of horror classics.
Call of Cthulhu is an RPG-investigation game that puts you in the role of Private Investigator Edward Pierce, a WWI vet who is now a little too friendly with the bottle. Pierce is sent in to investigate the mysterious death of the Hawkins family that took place in their mansion on Darkwater Island, which is located just off the shores of Boston. What initially appears as a tragic accident quickly reveals itself to be much more than that, with shady characters getting into even shadier dealings with the occult.
It’s a setup that is certainly good enough to hook you into the game, and the developers did a fantastic job of delivering a dark and twisted atmosphere. Wandering through the Hawkins mansion, Darkwater island and the cosmic horrors that lie beyond all bring a constant feeling of tension, with the gloomy visuals, rundown and sometimes downright freakish locales never letting you forget that you are not in a nice place.
What’s even more impressive about this is the fact that there isn’t a whole lot of actual danger to be had in the game, with the majority of it focused on you searching for clues and uncovering the truth behind the Hawkins family murders. There are occasional bits where you’ll have to hide from guards in a mental ward or shoot zombies in a simple late-game sequence, but for the most part you can wander the game’s world without too much of an issue.
And this is something that I actually really enjoyed about the game! The game’s characters and setting are so strong that I wanted to soak in everything that I possibly could, snooping around every nook and cranny to learn more about Darkwater Island and its various inhabitants. The voice acting here is typically very strong, but unfortunately the character animations aren’t able to hold up their end of the bargain. Bad lip syncing and awkward hand gestures are a common occurrence, which definitely take you out of the experience a little.
Despite a lack of overall danger for the most part, that isn’t to say that the game doesn’t have challenges and character progression to keep things interesting. Pierce has several different skills that he’ll be able to upgrade by progressing through the game, such as allowing him to be able to persuade people easier or perform better in physical situations. Certain skills will also improve his knowledge of certain relevant case details, including medicine and occultism. Keeping these skills low will mean that Pierce will only have a basic understanding of these relevant items when he comes across them, whereas upgrading them will allow him to glean more from them.
As you investigate various areas you will regularly come across points where you need to utilize your detective abilities to uncover what really happened. You’ll essentially initiate a super detective mode where you’ll be able to sniff out relevant objects, which will then reveal ghostly images of what actually happened in the scenario. It’s a mechanic that has been used in loads of other games, but the scenarios are strong enough here that the feature doesn’t feel tacked on and actually adds to the game’s sense of mystery.
Your choices also impact your relationship with the various characters that you come across throughout the game, which will lead to certain scenarios playing out differently. This includes things like getting help with certain segments, while also including more serious scenarios like choosing the fate of certain characters. While this choice mechanic might not be as deep as some other narrative-heavy games out there and doesn’t result in dramatic narrative shifts, it still makes the game’s world feel more alive.
Overall, Call of Cthulhu is a solid choice for those looking for some atmospheric and unsettling horror gaming. There are certainly some rough edges with character animations, and the few action segments that do pop up aren’t all that great. Still, if you’re fine with a game that is more about atmosphere and story than it is about action-heavy gameplay, then this latest Call of Cthulhu adaptation should scratch that itch for you.
Gaming
Sony is reportedly engaged in discussions to form a partnership for a potential bid on Paramount
There hasn’t been much buzz lately about any new acquisitions in the world of video game intellectual property. According to a recent report, Sony is currently engaged in discussions with a well-funded partner to potentially acquire the renowned film studio Paramount, along with all the exciting possibilities that come with such a merger.
As reported in the New York Times (thanks, ResetEra), Sony Picture Entertainment is reportedly in discussions with Apollo Global Management, an investment firm, as per two sources familiar with the matter. In the past, Apollo had made an offer to acquire Paramount for a minimum of $26 billion, but their bid was ultimately turned down.
The terms of the joint bid are currently under discussion, and there is a chance that the two parties may decide against making a formal offer. Unnamed sources have revealed that Paramount is currently in exclusive discussions with Skydance, preventing any official offer from being made at this time. Investor opposition to the recent deal that Skydance brought seems to have been significant.
Sony Pictures Entertainment and Apollo Global Management, an investment firm, have been in discussions about teaming up for a joint bid to acquire Paramount, people familiar with the situation said Thursday. https://t.co/qN86H4y7Va
— The New York Times (@nytimes) April 18, 2024
The potential impact of such an acquisition is immense. First and foremost, it would introduce adaptations of Sonic and Halo into the expanding media empire of the PlayStation platform holder. Following the announcement, Paramount’s stock experienced a significant 11% surge in after-hours trading.
What are your thoughts on the news? Is there a possibility of Sony acquiring Paramount? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section below.
In the ongoing conflict against the Automaton invasion fleet, the Helldivers 2 players have successfully halted their advance. However, the situation has now reached a tiresome stalemate. Yet again, the machines refuse to take a break from their relentless pursuit of progress, with reports emerging of the Factory Striders being deployed in record-breaking quantities.
There have been reports of alleged machines that were supposedly encountered during Operation Swift Disassembly, which was just the beginning of a larger campaign. However, these accounts should be taken with a grain of salt, as they are unverified and seem to be more on the imaginative side. Factory Striders have gained a reputation as formidable weapons platforms that can produce more Automatons while enduring significant damage. If the machines are able to withstand such a relentless assault, it will be necessary to develop innovative strategies.
Factory Striders have made a resurgence on the Automaton front. These imposing, massive support dreadnoughts now threaten freedom and democracy throughout the galactic rim. pic.twitter.com/XRTPU7k71s
— HELLDIVERS™ 2 (@helldivers2) April 16, 2024
Have you come across groups of Factory Striders in Helldivers 2? Which strategies are proving to be the most effective in taking down these armored brutes? The Orbital Railcannon Strike will prove to be a valuable asset in the comments section below.
The recent release of Amazon’s adaptation of Fallout has ignited a renewed interest in the series and brought attention to the captivating alternate history that forms its foundation. Fans have expressed concern that the TV show’s events might be at odds with the plot of the Obsidian Entertainment video game New Vegas. Warning: Spoilers ahead for New Vegas and Amazon’s show!
Bethesda Game Studios director Todd Howard and Fallout TV executive producer Jonathan Nolan recently sat down with IGN to discuss the timeline. Howard was taken aback when showrunners Graham Wagner and Geneva Robertson-Dworet presented him with the surprising concept of obliterating Shady Sands, the bustling capital of the New California Republic, in the aftermath of the events in New Vegas. Howard eventually warmed up to the idea: “After discussing it, we realized that this could be a significant story moment that many things hinge upon.”
It seems that they had to make some tough decisions to ensure everything fell into place, but Howard emphasizes the importance of preserving the integrity of the Fallout timeline: “We take great care with the timeline. There seems to be some confusion in certain areas. However, all the events from the previous games, including New Vegas, did occur. We take great caution in that matter. We’re really pushing the limits here, but the explosions occur right after the events of New Vegas.
What are your thoughts on this? Is it up to par? Even though it may not have a significant impact on the overall quality of the games or show, it is comforting to know that those in charge are paying attention. We value your feedback and would love to hear your thoughts in the comments section below.
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