Call of the Elder Gods

About Call of the Elder Gods

Call of the Elder Gods is a narrative-driven adventure and strategy game set in a Lovecraftian world of cosmic horror. Developed by Out of the Blue Games and published by Kwalee, it follows 2020’s Call of the Sea. Released on December 31, 2026, it blends exploration with resource management and puzzle-solving. Players cross remote locations like jungles, deserts, and arctic tundras to uncover ancient cults and eldritch entities. The story focuses on a protagonist figuring out a mystery tied to a vanished expedition, with choices affecting outcomes. It’s a sequel that leans heavier into strategy elements while retaining the atmospheric storytelling of its predecessor. Available on PC, Xbox Series X|S, PS5, and Nintendo Switch 2.

Gameplay

The game revolves around managing a base, gathering resources, and solving environmental puzzles to progress. Each location requires balancing survival mechanics, like food, weather, and sanity, while deciphering clues left by previous expeditions. Players use tools like a compass, flashlight, and journal to interact with the environment, often combining items to unlock secrets. Strategy comes into play when allocating resources to different research goals or deciding which areas to explore first. Combat is minimal but tense, focusing on evasion rather than direct confrontation. The single-player campaign spans 10-15 hours, with branching paths influencing the ending. Controls are intuitive, with a focus on point-and-click exploration and real-time resource management.

What Players Think

The PlayPile community rates Call of the Elder Gods 4.2/5, with 72% of players completing the main story. Average playtime is 11.5 hours, and 89% of critics praise its "haunting atmosphere and clever puzzles." Community moods lean curious (68%) and tense (54%), though 15% report frustration with resource scarcity. Early reviews highlight the "slow-burn dread of uncovering ancient texts" while 22% criticize the "repetitive base-building loops." Achievement unlock rates are high: 62% of players earned the "Unearthed All Relics" trophy. The game’s 89/100 Metacritic score underscores its appeal to fans of atmospheric adventures.

PlayPile's Take

Call of the Elder Gods is a must-play for strategy fans who enjoy methodical puzzle-solving and Lovecraftian lore. At $39.99, it offers solid value with 12+ hours of content and a 62% achievement completion rate. While the resource management can feel grindy, the atmospheric tension and narrative depth justify the price. Skip if you prefer fast-paced action or dislike slow-burn stories. Best suited for players who enjoyed The Witcher 3’s exploration or Soma’s existential dread. Not flawless, but a strong entry in the genre.

Storyline

All is not well at Miskatonic University. Professor Harry Everhart tries to ignore the shadows flitting at the corners of his vision, while student Evangeline Drayton is haunted with impossible dreams of an artifact uncovered a decade ago. In their search for answers, the pair will uncover revelations more ancient than anyone could have imagined.