Cultist Simulator

About

Cultist Simulator is a single player action game. It received positive reviews from players.

Cultist Simulator is a casual game with an intriguing story, stellar gameplay, and atmospheric music, but can be very grinding and buggy. Players experiment with occult practices, face the consequences of their actions, and strive for ascension in this game of apocalypse and yearning. Despite some flaws, its unique gameplay and high replayability make it worth trying for fans of the occult and narrative games.

Genres & Tags

Casual

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

88%

Audience ScoreBased on 2,725 reviews

gameplay88 positive mentions

grinding35 negative mentions

The game offers a unique and immersive experience with deep lore and storytelling.
Players enjoy the challenge of figuring out the mechanics through experimentation and discovery.
The art style and atmosphere are captivating, enhancing the overall gameplay experience.

The lack of a tutorial or clear instructions makes it difficult for new players to understand how to play.
The UI can be cluttered and hard to navigate, especially on smaller screens.
Many players experience frustration due to the steep learning curve and the punishing nature of the game.

gameplay
230 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
58%
4%
The gameplay is characterized by its deep, intricate mechanics that encourage exploration and experimentation, often requiring players to learn through trial and error. While the card-based system is engaging and offers a unique narrative experience, some players find the lack of tutorials and occasional grindiness frustrating. Overall, the gameplay is praised for its complexity and the satisfaction derived from mastering its systems, though it may not appeal to those seeking straightforward mechanics.
- “It's a narrative journey; the prose is incredible, and the gameplay, while seemingly simple, has so many layers of depth.”
- “The gameplay is deceptively straightforward and hides a much more complex system with near-infinite possibilities.”
- “What makes this game really engaging is learning the mechanics and slowly getting better at it each time, making every playthrough feel fresh and new.”
- “My only complaint is the outdated mechanics.”
- “However, the basic gameplay is extremely grindy.”
- “The gameplay is frustrating to learn because uncovering how to play involves uncovering little occult secrets in the game.”
story
152 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
54%
3%
The game's story is richly crafted and deeply immersive, drawing players into a complex narrative filled with Lovecraftian themes and occult lore. While the card-based mechanics and steep learning curve can initially obscure the plot, many players find the exploration and trial-and-error approach rewarding, leading to unique and engaging storylines with high replayability. However, some users note that the overwhelming amount of text and resource management can detract from fully appreciating the narrative experience.
- “The storyline can be as compelling as any psychological horror story as you navigate the balance between a mundane life, the quest for something more through occult lore, and those who try to stop your crimes against humankind and nature.”
- “Richly written and evocative lore provides a compelling story while the mechanics of the game encourage experimentation and learning through (initially frequent!) failure.”
- “The art is perfect in its minimalism, the soundtrack creates a perfect mood, and the writing/storytelling is so well mixed with the game mechanics.”
- “The text is far too short to develop any sort of story.”
- “It feels like it's trying to be a story game, a card game, a resource management game, and by spreading itself thinly doesn't manage to be great at any of them.”
- “Stressful arbitrary time limits and oddly linear storytelling make this muddled card game with no instructions not worth figuring out how to play.”
atmosphere
59 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
78%
17%
5%
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its immersive and compelling qualities, enhanced by excellent writing, music, and visuals that evoke a strong sense of mystery and eldritch horror. Players appreciate the intricate lore and the way gameplay mechanics intertwine with the atmospheric elements, creating a deeply engaging experience. However, some users note that the steep learning curve and abstract gameplay can detract from fully enjoying the atmosphere.
- “The atmosphere and aesthetic are really spooky and well done.”
- “Brilliant game with a compelling atmosphere and true to the spirit of eldritch horror.”
- “The atmosphere is amazing, love the soundtrack as well.”
- “The game atmosphere coming from the texts I had to stop playing.”
- “I know the timing is part of the atmosphere, but I really would like to be able to read all the text without spamming pause manually.”
- “This is one of the most intricate games ever ported to the phone - everything is written well and the atmosphere created by the text and music gives just that right level of tension and creep factor.”
graphics
50 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
66%
28%
6%
The graphics of the game are generally praised for their aesthetic appeal, with many reviewers highlighting the beautiful art style and atmospheric visuals that enhance the overall experience. However, some users express frustration with the small size of the visuals, particularly on mobile devices, which can lead to gameplay issues as important events may occur off-screen. Overall, while the graphics are considered well-polished and fitting for the game's theme, there are concerns about their practicality in certain contexts.
- “It has a great atmosphere, soundtrack, and visuals.”
- “The art style is wonderful to look at, the gameplay itself is satisfying and keeps you going constantly, and the descriptions of the world do a perfect job of putting an image in your head about what's going on!”
- “The graphics and art design are super pretty and pleasing to look at as well.”
- “My main complaint is that the visuals are very small, so I play zoomed in; however, events routinely happen off screen with no clear alerts.”
- “Graphics aren't adjusted for viewing on mobile.”
- “Graphically awkward on my current phone.”
replayability
43 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
53%
40%
7%
The game boasts exceptional replayability, with diverse strategies, narratives, and victory conditions that encourage multiple playthroughs. Players appreciate the various endings, scenarios, and routes available, contributing to a rich and engaging experience. Overall, the game's replay value is highlighted as a significant strength, making it a worthwhile investment for players seeking depth and variety.
- “Different strategies, narratives, and victory conditions provide ample replayability.”
- “Amazing game that connects in a million different ways, the replay value is crazy.”
- “Well worth the money; a single game can last hours, and the replayability is amazing!”
- “I wish the game had more replay value, but have still gone through it 3-4 times nonetheless.”
- “If you read how to win, I think the replayability would drop off quickly.”
- “At times it feels like you're mashing and it's boring, but this game is usually engaging.”
music
40 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
78%
14%
8%
The music in the game is widely praised for its exceptional quality, creating a captivating atmosphere that enhances the overall experience. Reviewers highlight the soundtrack as a standout feature, noting its ability to blend seamlessly with the gameplay and contribute to the game's eerie and immersive storytelling. Overall, the combination of fantastic writing, art direction, and music elevates the game's appeal significantly.
- “This game has an amazing soundtrack, and its lore is very fascinating.”
- “Don't miss out on the music, which creates a great atmosphere and blends perfectly with the gameplay.”
- “The atmosphere is amazing, love the soundtrack as well.”
- “Atmospheric art and music, but there's not much of a game there, it's sheer frustration.”
- “The music is haunting, the gameplay is downright mysterious, and the lore....well.”
- “God the music is something else!”
grinding
35 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Reviews indicate that the game features significant grinding, particularly in the mid to late game, where players often find themselves repeating tasks to progress. While some appreciate the challenge and depth of the mechanics, many feel that the grinding becomes tedious and can detract from the overall enjoyment, especially after multiple playthroughs. Despite its engaging writing and gameplay, the excessive need for resource management and repetitive actions can lead to frustration and a sense of stagnation.
- “However, the basic gameplay is extremely grindy.”
- “This game, while fun at first, quickly becomes a huge tedious grind as you very slowly progress to earning a victory.”
- “The game itself starts off strong, but quickly descends into tedium and grinding, particularly in the mid to late game where you can pretty reliably deal with the standard crises, and end up having to 'study' the same things over and over and over to unlock higher skills and locations.”
monetization
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
36%
21%
The monetization model of the game is highly praised, with users highlighting the absence of ads and microtransactions, which contributes to a deep and immersive gameplay experience. Instead of exploitative practices, the game offers DLC expansions, ensuring that players can enjoy the game without interruptions or pay-to-win mechanics. Overall, it sets a positive example for premium games on mobile platforms.
- “Deep, immersive gameplay and no in-game purchases.”
- “No ads or manipulation to drive microtransactions.”
- “The in-app purchases are DLC expansions and not stupid grind skips or pay to convenience.”
- “I pay $7 for this game, and it still has in-app purchases to unlock stuff?”
- “This port is exactly what it needed on a platform saturated with cash grabs without depth.”
- “Premium games should follow this example: no IAPs, ads, and fun gameplay that suits the mobile platform.”
stability
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
75%
The game's stability is mixed, with some users reporting brief freezes during autosaves and occasional bugs that can hinder gameplay. While many players experience smooth performance on various devices, others encounter significant issues that render the game unplayable at times. Overall, the stability seems to vary widely depending on the device and specific circumstances.
- “Runs great on my Nexus 5 without overheating or draining the battery, which I was apprehensive about in a 3D game.”
- “In a world of dodgy, half-finished, broken, and forgotten apps, this is a breath of fresh air: no glitches, no bugs, and no crashes.”
- “Very close to the PC version and runs great on my LG 4!”
- “The one thing that bothers me a little is the way the game freezes briefly when the autosave triggers before the actual save icon appears -- not sure if that's a bug or just a consequence of autosaving a very time-dependent game.”
- “My only complaint is on my device gameplay freezes briefly during autosaves.”
- “Up until yesterday when it went really buggy and is now unplayable.”
optimization
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
44%
23%
33%
Overall, the game's optimization is mixed; while some users report smooth performance on specific devices, others highlight significant issues such as stuttering, crashes, and controls that feel unrefined for touch screens. Recommendations vary, with some praising the optimization for phones, while others express frustration over the lack of adjustments for mobile gameplay.
- “It's a good app that runs smoothly on my Huawei P20 Pro.”
- “Well optimized for phones, and so far no complaints from me!”
- “Well optimized for phones.”
- “But at the same time, I can't say that the controls are optimized for touch screen.”
- “By that I mean it's very obvious that it's a port of a PC game and the controls, depth of field, and gameplay haven't really been optimized for smaller phone screens.”
- “The game isn't really optimized for phone size and I am going blind.”
emotional
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the game deeply emotional, highlighting its ability to capture complex feelings in a way that resonates profoundly. However, some frustrations arise from gameplay mechanics, such as hidden elements and cluttered interactions, which can detract from the overall experience. The suggestion for diverse bookstores reflects a desire for more nuanced emotional engagement within the game's world.
- “In all honesty, no other audiovisual medium will encapsulate my emotional intricacies as explicitly as this game has.”
- “Kinda like a real cult, but more wholesome.”
humor
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is characterized by a blend of wry, eldritch themes and darkly comedic elements, appealing to fans of the bizarre and the macabre. Players find the experience both challenging and amusing, with a rich narrative that rewards persistence and offers plenty of laughs amidst the chaos. Overall, the game successfully combines humor with its esoteric and sinister atmosphere, making it a unique and entertaining experience.
- “If wry humor, elder gods, the delicate arcane arts man may not wot of, dying of despair, dying of joy, and evading (or mercilessly sacrificing) your enemies to gain power and knowledge are your jam, so will this be.”
- “If you love anything eldritch, esoteric, spooky, strange, sinister, unspeakable, and/or sometimes hilarious, this game is for you.”
- “Man, this game is hard and makes me feel like an idiot, but after 20 games I start to understand, and it's so funny. There's a lot to read, and I'd recommend it if you're willing to learn from your losses.”