Call of Cthulhu
IGDB
Loading critic reviews...
Finding live streams...
About Call of Cthulhu
Cyanide Studio released Call of Cthulhu in late 2018 for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC. This single-player adventure mixes classic role-playing elements with stealth mechanics and psychological horror. You play as a private investigator sent to the remote island of Darkwater to solve the murder of a famous artist and her family. The story quickly spirals into a Lovecraftian nightmare involving ancient gods and madness. The game runs on an isometric camera angle that lets you scan environments for clues while managing your sanity meters. It is a straightforward narrative experience designed to make you feel small against cosmic horrors without requiring massive multiplayer sessions or complex crafting systems.
Gameplay
You spend most of your time walking around the island, talking to NPCs who hold fragmented memories, and searching for evidence scattered across rooms and landscapes. Combat is strictly stealth-based since bullets do not stop cultists or monsters effectively. You must hide in shadows, sneak past enemies, and use the environment to create distractions. Your sanity meter fluctuates based on what you witness, which alters how your character perceives the world and sometimes changes dialogue options. The game features a journal system where you connect clues to build theories about the mystery. These decisions determine how the story unfolds and which ending you trigger. Sessions usually involve long stretches of exploration punctuated by tense moments where you must avoid detection while your character struggles with hallucinations.
What Players Think
Players on PlayPile have given Call of Cthulhu a solid average score of 66.9 out of 100 based on 144 ratings. The community vibe leans heavily toward appreciation for the atmosphere, though many users note the stealth sections can feel repetitive. Average playtime sits around 12 hours for those who finish the main story. We tracked achievement data showing only 33.5% of players unlocked the average set of 49 trophies. The rarest challenge is "Nameless Cults," which only 3.40% of users managed to obtain. Review snippets frequently mention the strong writing and sound design as highlights, while others criticize the combat controls for being clunky during tight encounters. The price has dropped significantly, with the lowest historical cost hitting just $2.71 on GameBillet.
PlayPile's Take
This title works best if you enjoy slow-burn mystery stories and do not mind getting your hands dirty in messy stealth sections. The 49 achievements offer a nice challenge for completionists, especially the elusive "Nameless Cults" trophy that few manage to grab. At $2.71, it is an easy buy for fans of Lovecraft who want a focused narrative without multiplayer distractions. You should skip this if you prefer fast-paced action or smooth combat mechanics. The game delivers a specific mood that lingers long after the credits roll, but its difficulty spikes in the stealth sections might frustrate players looking for a purely story-driven experience.
Game Modes
Single player
IGDB Rating
66.9
Deals
Finding deals...
Videos
9Trailer
Preview to Madness Trailer
E3 2017 Trailer
E3 2018 Trailer
Screenshots
28Achievements
Loading achievements...
Similar Games
Finding similar games...
Buzzing on Bluesky
Checking Bluesky...