Cthulhu Saves the World

76%
Game Brain Score Based on 2,067 reviews
  • humor
  • story
  • gameplay
Cthulhu Saves the World Game Cover
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In "Cthulhu Saves the World," Cthulhu must become a hero to break a curse and destroy the world. This old-school RPG features six to ten hours of gameplay, with bonus modes and increased difficulty levels for replayability. Unique features include inflicting insanity on enemies, as well as remixed content in "Cthulhu's Angels" mode.

  • PC
  • Phone
  • Windows
  • Tablet
  • Xbox
  • Xbox 360
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

76%
Audience ScoreBased on 2,067 reviews
humor805 positive mentions
grinding83 negative mentions
  • humor809 mentions

    The humor in "Cthulhu Saves the World" is widely praised for its clever writing, absurdity, and frequent fourth-wall breaks, making it a standout feature of the game. Players appreciate the witty dialogue, humorous character interactions, and satirical take on RPG tropes, often finding themselves laughing out loud throughout the experience. While some may find the humor hit-or-miss, the overall consensus is that it effectively enhances the game's charm and entertainment value, especially for fans of Lovecraftian themes and classic RPGs.

    • “The game has a catchy soundtrack and great humor that frequently breaks the fourth wall, with Cthulhu interacting with the narrator.”
    • “The story begins when Cthulhu is cursed and loses his powers, needing to become a hero to regain them, leading to hilarious dialogues that poke fun at typical RPG tropes.”
    • “Cthulhu Saves the World is a hilarious dungeon crawler.”
    • “I've never been subjected to a more hideous form of unfunny.”
    • “Cthulhu Saves the World plays like a bad copy of a random RPG Maker game; the game is slow, not funny, and badly made overall.”
  • story464 mentions

    The story of "Cthulhu Saves the World" is a humorous and satirical take on traditional RPG tropes, featuring the iconic character Cthulhu on a quest to regain his lost powers by becoming a hero. Players encounter a variety of quirky characters and engage in witty dialogue filled with fourth-wall breaks and Lovecraftian references, making for an entertaining experience despite its relatively straightforward plot. The game also offers a second unlockable story mode, adding replay value and further comedic elements to the narrative.

    • “The story begins when Cthulhu is cursed and loses his powers, needing to become a hero to regain them, leading to hilarious dialogues that poke fun at typical RPG tropes.”
    • “Cthulhu Saves the World is a delightful humorous JRPG where the unlikely hero, Cthulhu, leads a party of misfits through a satirical story of heroism and insanity.”
    • “The story is witty, funny, and full of heart.”
    • “The problem with this game is that it doesn't do anything particularly well to make it stand out from the crowd: generic monster types, humor that doesn't amuse, and a boring plot prevent this game from becoming what it could have been.”
    • “The story is linear, and took me about 8 hours with in-depth exploration on my first run.”
    • “The story doesn't do anything special; most of the time you just work your way through the nearest dungeon for some reason given by a nearby town such as a strange illness or a dragon and sometimes even just to progress to the next place on the map.”
  • gameplay322 mentions

    The gameplay of "Cthulhu Saves the World" is a blend of classic turn-based RPG mechanics with unique twists, such as an insanity mechanic that affects enemy behavior and a combo system for character attacks. While many players appreciate the humor and nostalgic feel reminiscent of old-school RPGs, some criticize the repetitive nature of combat and pacing issues. Overall, the game offers engaging mechanics and a light-hearted narrative, making it a fun experience for fans of the genre, despite some minor balancing and pacing flaws.

    • “Combat is fun, with united attacks between characters, a combo system, finishers, and an insanity mechanic that alters enemy behavior.”
    • “The gameplay is taken out of a classic turn-based fantasy RPG such as Final Fantasy but with a few unique twists.”
    • “The actual combat mechanics are fresh with lots of customization for each character you recruit.”
    • “Unfortunately, despite the familiar gameplay and humor and a number of things this game does better than its predecessor, several serious bugs resulted in me giving up on this title before I could finish it.”
    • “The combat is unbalanced early on; the way to win feels like exploiting mechanics instead of playing the way you are intended to.”
    • “In terms of gameplay, however, I must say the random encounter mechanic quickly becomes tiring after an hour or two.”
  • music158 mentions

    The music in the game has received widespread praise for its catchy and memorable soundtrack, often evoking nostalgia for classic 8-bit and 16-bit RPGs. While many players appreciate the epic and fitting compositions that enhance the gameplay experience, some have noted issues with repetitive tracks and abrupt transitions during battles that can detract from immersion. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's charm and humor.

    • “The biggest surprise about the game was the absolutely fantastic music in the game.”
    • “The soundtrack is amazing - power metal riffs with trumpets for extra epicness are the best thing that can happen to a boss battle.”
    • “This game has a well written yet light-hearted story, solid RPG level up and combat mechanics, and great old school art and music to accompany them.”
    • “The music is nothing worth remembering; not even the final boss theme was that catchy.”
    • “The game looks decent, but sadly me and many others are having issues with the sound; there is no music playing and only a few sound effects are working.”
    • “Also, with the graphics, I was hoping for some chiptune music, but the game has quite disturbing music that comes over and over and sometimes at inappropriate times.”
  • graphics142 mentions

    The graphics of "Cthulhu Saves the World" are a nostalgic homage to classic 8-bit and 16-bit RPGs, reminiscent of the Super Nintendo era, featuring simple pixel art that some players find charming while others consider it outdated. While the visuals may not impress by modern standards, they effectively complement the game's humor and gameplay, appealing to fans of retro aesthetics. Overall, the graphics are seen as a mixed bag, with some praising their nostalgic value and others criticizing their lack of detail and polish.

    • “The graphics are beautifully done for a 16-bit game and it reminds me of many RPGs from the SNES!”
    • “The modernized old-school graphics are as delightful as the quirky personalities given to each of the characters as the colors strike the perfect balance between vibrancy and gothic horror derived from this comical tribute's namesake.”
    • “Fun, old school 16-bit graphics and hilarious self-aware text throughout the game.”
    • “A choice was made to use obsolete, decades-old retro pixel 'art' as a substitute for contemporary PC graphics.”
    • “But overall the game’s aesthetic looked below average.”
    • “Of course, the graphics are also nothing noteworthy; they go for a 'retro' pixel style, but this is just an excuse for being lazy with the graphics since they are nowhere near actually good-looking detailed pixel art.”
  • grinding84 mentions

    The reviews indicate that grinding is a significant aspect of the game, with many players finding it tedious and repetitive, especially in traditional JRPG fashion. However, some appreciate the balance between grinding and exploration, noting that the game offers mechanisms to limit random encounters and reduce the grind. Overall, while grinding is present, it varies in intensity and can be enjoyable for those who appreciate old-school RPG elements, though it may frustrate players seeking a more streamlined experience.

    • “At some point in this story, there are monstrous amounts of grinding to progress.”
    • “Most JRPG-styled games require countless hours of grinding unless you're incredibly skilled and knowledgeable about upcoming bosses, as JRPGs are typically designed to take up time running around in the same area to trigger more fights.”
    • “The combat is boring, tedious, and repetitive.”
  • replayability42 mentions

    The game offers significant replayability through various bonus modes, alternate character roles, and multiple difficulty levels, making it appealing for players seeking to explore different gameplay experiences. Many reviewers highlight the humor, engaging story, and classic RPG elements that enhance the desire to replay. However, some players note that certain aspects, like labyrinthine dungeons, can detract from the overall replay value.

    • “The sheer amount of replayability offered through the bonus modes via completing the game once is staggering, and the entire adventure has left me galvanized to play more titles from this developer.”
    • “Hilarious all the way through, and great gameplay where multiple modes allow for much replayability and easter eggs to make them all unique.”
    • “In addition to all this, the game has great replay value with various difficulty levels and game modes, and some other neat features such as character bromides, a bestiary, and a full developer commentary.”
    • “This game would have a huge replay value if not for every dungeon and 'combat area' being a freaking labyrinth with 2 layers per floor.”
    • “Honestly though, I don't think it has too much replay value for me.”
    • “The replay value is low, as the story is a bit bland for a linear game.”
  • atmosphere9 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is praised for its effective blend of loud battle tracks and quieter, moodier music that enhances the overall experience. Reviewers highlight the fantastic level design and the successful integration of various thematic elements, such as Lovecraftian influences and nostalgic references to classic RPGs. While some dialogue may feel awkward, the overall ambiance, including unique soundscapes like male choir chanting, contributes to a compelling and immersive environment.

    • “Fantastic level design with great music and atmosphere.”
    • “Amazing game that brings back memories from the classical Dragon Quest games with some interesting mechanics that keep the gameplay original and unique while surrounded by a hilarious atmosphere.”
    • “I especially liked the male choir chanting inside the dungeons, adding a mysterious atmosphere to them.”
    • “Some dialogue can be awkward, since it doesn't fit the atmosphere.”
    • “It all adds up, essentially, to one long schtick contrasting the Final Fantasy atmosphere and plot with the Lovecraftian setting elements, seasoned with JRPG lampshading.”
    • “Very tongue-in-cheek and the retro graphics add to the whole atmosphere.”
  • emotional5 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is polarizing; while some players find it heart-wrenching and deeply engaging, evoking laughter and tears, others criticize it for a boring story and lackluster characters that detract from the experience. Overall, the emotional impact varies significantly among players, with some feeling profoundly connected and others left disappointed.

    • “+heart-wrenching story leaves you wanting more to the very end.”
    • “Great game, much fun, I laughed, I cried 10/10”
    • “10/10 made me feel deeply connected to the characters and their struggles.”
    • “The story is dull and the characters lack depth, making the emotional experience feel flat and unengaging.”
    • “I felt no connection to the characters, which made it hard to invest emotionally in the narrative.”
    • “The gameplay is tedious, and the emotional moments fall flat, leaving me feeling indifferent throughout.”
  • optimization4 mentions

    Cthulhu is praised for its excellent optimization, ensuring smooth performance without straining system resources. Players also appreciate the ability to select new abilities upon leveling up, enhancing their combat experience.

    • “Cthulhu is very well optimized and won’t strain your system at all.”
    • “Every time you level up, you get a choice of abilities to select and hopefully improve your combat performance.”
  • character development3 mentions

    Character development is noted for its engaging design and the ability to customize characters for specific combat roles, enhancing player investment. While the storyline is straightforward, it effectively maintains interest, contributing to a solid overall experience.

    • “The character development in terms of combat is interesting because it genuinely feels like it's possible to have your characters fill the role you wish them to, at least to a certain point.”
    • “The character development is decent, and the storyline is simple, but it keeps your attention.”
    • “The character development is lacking depth, making it hard to connect with the protagonists.”
    • “I found the character arcs to be predictable and uninspired, which diminished my overall engagement with the story.”
    • “While the game has potential, the characters feel one-dimensional and fail to evolve throughout the narrative.”
  • stability1 mentions

    The game is praised for its stability, running smoothly on the Steam Deck without any issues, while also being entertaining and humorous.

    • “Short, funny, and runs great on the Steam Deck.”
  • monetization1 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game is generally viewed positively, with users expressing enthusiasm for the game and its ads, suggesting that they enhance the overall experience rather than detract from it.

Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

85% average critic score

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Play time

10hMedian play time
11hAverage play time
6-11hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 10 analyzed playthroughs

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