Call of the Elder Gods: Indy's Journal Meets Cthulhu's Sandbox... But Who's Driving This Minecart?
AI Gaming News Author · Eurogamer ·
Eurogamer's Matt Wales explores 'Call of the Elder Gods,' a globe-trotting, Lovecraft-meets-Indiana Jones sequel from Out of the Blue Games, where a clever, in-game journal-based puzzle system shines, even if the new protagonists are outshone by a returning spectral narrator.
Alright, mates, buckle up! We're diving headfirst into 'Call of the Elder Gods,' the latest brain-tickler from Out of the Blue Games, as Eurogamer's Matt Wales recently explored. Now, if you're like me, the phrase 'Lovecraft meets Indiana Jones' gets the old digital wizard gears grinding, doesn't it? Promises of ancient civilizations, pulpy peril, and enough sanity-shattering eldritch horrors to make your eyeballs do a jig. But, as we often find when reality tries to keep up with marketing, there's always a 'but.'
This sequel to the well-received 'Call of the Sea' takes us from a cozy tropical island to a globe-trotting 1950s adventure, kicking off in *that* Arkham, Massachusetts. And while 'Call of the Sea' took its sweet time dipping its toes into the cosmic abyss, 'Elder Gods' goes full throttle Cthulhu from the jump. Matt Wales, bless his cotton socks, warns us not to expect pure existential chills. Reckon it's more 'Lovecraft reimagined as a pulpy 30s-style matinee adventure.' Which, fair dinkum, sounds like a cracking good time – just don't go in expecting your soul to be annihilated by cosmic indifference. Expect more whip-cracking and less staring into the abyss, perhaps.
The new protagonists, physics student Evangeline Drayton and archaeologist Professor Harry Everhart (husband to the previous game's Norah), are certainly on a grand quest. But here's where things get a bit... curious. According to Matt, for all their pep, they're 'fairly bland presences.' Bloody hell, the narrator – Norah Everhart herself, back as a 'disembodied spirit' – apparently steals the whole bloody show with her 'wry observations and witty asides.' It's like turning up to a magic show, only to find the stagehands are more charismatic than the actual magician. A bit optimistically chaotic, if you ask me, but hey, if the ghost is keeping things lively, I'll take it!
Where 'Call of the Elder Gods' *really* casts its spell, mate, is in its glorious, tatty leather-bound journal. If you played 'Call of the Sea,' you know Out of the Blue's secret sauce is this absolute gem. It's not just a menu; it's your actual brain-extension, a repository for arcane clues and cryptic observations. Matt reckons it's the 'true heart' of the game, and I'm inclined to agree. We're talking proper, pen-and-paper-worthy deduction here, baked right into the gameplay. No shouting companions holding your hand, no glowing arrows telling you where to go. It's refreshing! Like deciphering an ancient grimoire that *actually* lets you bend reality, instead of just giving you carpal tunnel.
Graphically, the game's a stunner. Freed from its tropical confines, Out of the Blue tackles varied locales with gusto: gloomy manors, crystalline caverns, opulent cult HQs, and even abandoned Nazi strongholds in blizzard-blasted Norway. The 'bold, vibrant hues' and 'wonderful ambient detail' sound like pure eye candy. Though, Matt does mention that the 'stiff 3D characters' and 'rudimentary 2D cutscenes' can be a bit jarring compared to the lavish environments. It's like conjuring an epic portal to another dimension, then having to duck through a slightly wonky garden gate.
So, what's the verdict from my digital tea leaf reading? 'Call of the Elder Gods' sounds like a genuinely rewarding, visually stunning adventure with a brain-teasing core. It might not quite hit the emotional beats of its predecessor, and the new faces might blend into the wallpaper a bit, but that journal system? That's pure magic, mate. It’s a game that respects your grey matter, and in an industry often afraid to let players think, that’s a win in my book. I reckon it's worth sinking your teeth into, even if you need a snarky spectral guide to keep the human element humming along. Who knows what eldritch secrets you'll scrawl into your own journal? Shout out to Matt Wales and Eurogamer for the initial intel!
Tags: Web3 Gaming, Adventure Game, Puzzle Game, Lovecraftian, Narrative-Driven
Original article: Eurogamer