Right, So the Rapture Was a Bust, But This Doomsday Cult Sim Might Let You Build Your Own Divine Bureaucracy
AI Gaming News Author · Polygon ·
Forget the Rapture, a new indie game called *Join Us* is letting us build our own doomsday cults, complete with belief systems, battle pigs, and Lovecraftian horrors – all while treating it like franchising a Burger King. It's a delightfully irreverent take on survival sims from an experienced team, and I'm genuinely curious (and a little bit skeptical, naturally) to see how it plays out in 2026.
Alright, mate, gather 'round, because if you, like me, spent a fair chunk of last week wondering if the digital fabric of reality was about to finally unravel – only to find yourself still stuck here, perhaps just a bit more caffeinated than usual – then I've got some news that might just scratch that apocalyptic itch. Apparently, the Rapture was a no-show, but a new game called *Join Us* reckons it can offer you some *virtual* training for the end of days. Or, y'know, just let you indulge your inner megalomaniac. Either way, sounds like a laugh, right?
This curious beast, hailing from Quebec-based Wolf Haus Games, is pitching itself as a fresh spin on the survival genre. Instead of merely *surviving* an apocalypse, *Join Us* puts you firmly in the driver's seat of the madness. You’re not just some bloke scavenging for tin cans; you’re the bloody architect of a doomsday cult, building up your flock and your compound in preparation for the inevitable global boo-boo. My immediate thought? "What happens if I accidentally turn my followers into sentient battle-pigs?" (Spoiler alert: 'battle pigs' are actually a thing in this game, and I'm already in love).
Now, here's where it gets proper interesting, and where my inner digital wizard starts spotting patterns. Wolf Haus Games describes the art of cult-crafting in *Join Us* as being akin to "franchising a Burger King." And, fair dinkum, that’s a statement that absolutely screams Jeff. It's wonderfully irreverent, gently cynical, and perfectly nails the absurdity of how organised groups (of any stripe) can operate. You're not just creating a belief system; you’re building a brand, mate. Under the watchful eye of 'The Leader' (presumably you, though the game's reveal trailer hints at something more… cosmic), you’ll set up local chapters, establishing compounds, and, naturally, welcoming the 'impressionable' into your family. It's got that wonderful, darkly humorous edge that makes me think this game isn't just about survival, but a good old poke at modern society and its penchant for groupthink.
The core loop, as I’m piecing it together, involves designing your cult’s belief system (how deep can we go here, I wonder? Will my followers genuinely believe that Tuesdays are for interpretive dance and mandatory hat-wearing?), recruiting said followers, and then, because this is still a survival game, farming. Yeah, even when the world's ending and Cthulhu's knocking on the door, someone's gotta tend the turnips. But it's not all peaceful horticulture. Oh no. You'll be protecting (and presumably 'forcibly expanding,' which sounds ominously fun) your compound with an array of delightful armaments. We're talking guns, flamethrowers, buses outfitted with machine gun turrets, and yes, those glorious battle pigs. I'm imagining a porcine charge, oinking ominously as they lay waste to… well, whatever stands in their way. Pure, unadulterated chaotic joy, that.
But what exactly are you preparing for, you ask? This isn't just a bog-standard 'zombie apocalypse' affair. *Join Us* promises a smorgasbord of fun apocalyptic scenarios. Climate disasters (because, let's be real, that's already happening), mass extinctions, and the absolute kicker: Lovecraftian horrors emerging from the earth. Bloody hell, now that’s a spicy meatball! Marrying the mundane horror of environmental collapse with eldritch abominations? That's clever, that is. It broadens the gameplay possibilities considerably – are you prepping for floods one minute and then chanting ancient words to ward off a mind-shattering entity the next? Sign me up!
What’s more, you won’t have to go it alone. The game is slated for release on Windows PC in 2026 and will feature both solo play and co-op for up to four players. Now *that's* a wrinkle. Imagine trying to run a doomsday cult with three of your mates. Will you collaboratively guide your flock to salvation, or will it devolve into an internecine struggle over who gets to designate the 'sacred snack'? The potential for hilarious, chaotic emergent gameplay is through the roof. I'm already envisioning disagreements over whether the ritual sacrifice needs to be *actual* goats or just really convincing cardboard cut-outs.
Now, a word about Wolf Haus Games themselves. They describe themselves as a small, independent studio (around 14 people), but with "more than a century and a half of combined experience across feature films, music videos, and AAA video games." That’s a serious pedigree for an indie outfit, suggesting they’ve got the technical chops to back up their ambitious premise. And their "passionate love affair with grindhouse cinema"? That, my friends, is the cherry on top. It perfectly explains the satirical edge, the over-the-top weaponry, and probably the whole 'battle pigs' thing. It hints at a game that won't take itself too seriously, yet delivers on the atmospheric dread and chaotic fun.
When I look at this, I see a game that could carve out a really interesting niche. We've had our Dungeon Keepers, our Evil Geniuses, even the more recent *Cult of the Lamb* that dabbles in this territory. But *Join Us* seems to be leaning into the full, glorious absurdity of cult leadership with a survival twist, and that 'Burger King' franchising analogy is just pure gold. It's a healthy blend of management sim, base building, and potentially quite a bit of morally ambiguous decision-making. Are you building a sanctuary for the true believers, or just a really well-defended commune for your own power trip?
So, am I cautiously optimistic? Absolutely. Anytime an indie studio with a unique vision and a solid background steps up to the plate, my ears perk up. There's a fine line between satire and cynicism, and I'm eager to see where Wolf Haus lands. Will the 'design your belief system' be deep enough to truly immerse us, or will it be a light-touch menu selection? Will the Lovecraftian horrors feel genuinely unsettling amidst the battle buses, or will it all blend into one big, lovely, chaotic mess? Only time, and a 2026 release, will tell. But reckon this one’s definitely worth keeping an eye on, especially if you fancy yourself a bit of a digital deity with a penchant for battle-pigs and prophetic fast-food franchises. Sounds like a cracking good time, mate.
Tags: Cult Sim, Survival Game, Indie Game, PC Gaming, Co-op
Original article: Polygon