Lust from Beyond

About

"Lust from Beyond: M Edition" is a Lovecraftian-inspired survival horror game, where you play as Victor Holloway, an antiquarian seeking answers to his disturbing visions. Joining the Cult of Ecstasy, you delve into their blasphemous customs, ultimately leading you to the Land of Ecstasy, Lusst'ghaa. This version caters to players who prefer mystery, narrative, and atmosphere over explicit content. Fight, hide, and solve puzzles to uncover the truth behind your visions and the cult's sinister practices.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

82%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,385 reviews

story306 positive mentions

optimization18 negative mentions

The game features stunning graphics and a beautifully crafted world inspired by H.R. Giger and Lovecraftian themes.
The story is engaging with interesting plot twists and character development, keeping players invested throughout the game.
The combination of horror and erotic elements is unique and well-integrated into the narrative, providing a captivating experience.

The combat mechanics are clunky and unsatisfying, making encounters feel more like a chore than an engaging part of the gameplay.
The game suffers from long loading times and a lack of manual save options, forcing players to replay large sections if they die.
Some voice acting and dialogue feel wooden and lack emotional depth, detracting from the overall immersion in the story.

story
734 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
42%
54%
4%
The story of "Lust from Beyond" is a complex blend of horror, eroticism, and Lovecraftian themes, with many players finding it engaging and immersive despite some predictability and pacing issues. While the narrative features intriguing twists and character development, it is often criticized for its execution, including plot holes and a lack of depth in character motivations. Overall, the game is recommended for those who appreciate a story-driven experience, though it may not appeal to everyone due to its adult content and unconventional themes.
- “I have to admit that I enjoyed the story far more than I expected, and at this price point, I'd recommend buying the game.”
- “The story is compelling and visuals are unique.”
- “The story was interesting and kept me wanting to uncover one development after another; and I really enjoyed the visual environments of Lusst'ghaa; atmospheric, creepy biological architecture reminiscent of aliens, claustrophobic corridors and grand scale vistas, all looking fantastic.”
- “The story makes absolutely no sense.”
- “The characters and story lacked depth.”
- “The story is not incredibly captivating, but the lore is neat.”
gameplay
309 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
22%
66%
12%
The gameplay of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players noting its repetitive mechanics and linear structure, often likening it to a walking simulator. While some appreciate the atmospheric design and interesting story elements, others criticize the clunky combat, tedious fetch quests, and lack of engaging gameplay mechanics. Overall, the game is seen as more focused on narrative and art than on delivering a polished and varied gameplay experience.
- “Gameplay mechanics like a sanity gauge that dwindles if you look at the game's unspeakable enemies for too long capture the feel of the eldritch horror genre in a way no other horror game I've played has managed.”
- “The gameplay is great, also the graphics and artwork are insane!”
- “I enjoyed how much more time you got to spend in Lustgha, with more mechanics and fun puzzles.”
- “The gameplay loop gets repetitive very quickly, the story is somewhat interesting but nothing groundbreaking.”
- “The game has a lot of 'here's a checklist of things to do, do them' kind of moments, which are really tedious and don't bring anything to the gameplay.”
- “The gameplay itself was really annoying for me.”
graphics
306 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
51%
46%
3%
The graphics in the game have received a generally positive reception, with many reviewers praising the stunning environmental design and unique artistic style inspired by H.R. Giger and Lovecraftian themes. While some noted that character models and animations could be improved, the overall visual experience is described as immersive and atmospheric, effectively enhancing the game's horror and erotic elements. However, a few players experienced performance issues and dated textures, indicating that while the graphics are impressive for an indie title, there are areas that could benefit from further optimization.
- “The graphics are beautiful and impressive for such an indie game.”
- “The visuals are stunning and the way you can interact with the world is something that makes Lust from Beyond unique and great.”
- “The campaign manages to keep players engaged throughout several area changes, each with beautifully rendered graphics and well-detailed environments.”
- “The graphics on indie games made in 2010 have better quality than this.”
- “On medium quality graphics it looks like a game made 15 years ago and I can't put on high graphics settings because it won't load, freezes or runs in slow motion.”
- “Graphics are very 2010.”
atmosphere
140 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
55%
43%
2%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its stunning visuals, eerie sound design, and immersive world-building, effectively blending horror and eroticism. Many reviewers highlight the game's ability to create a sense of unease and intrigue, with environments that evoke Lovecraftian themes and a surreal, unsettling ambiance. However, some players note that gameplay elements can disrupt this atmosphere, detracting from the overall experience.
- “The environmental graphics are top notch and the music is good as well, creating a creepy and wonderfully detailed atmosphere.”
- “This is essential engagement for all horror fans, of particular merit is its atmosphere; irreproachable and runs the gamut from pure terror to rapturous beauty.”
- “The atmosphere and scenery is truly amazing.”
- “The atmosphere is sacrificed for shoving grotesque imagery and sexual stuff down your throat, and the Giger dreamland is interesting, but gets old really quickly.”
- “The atmosphere that the game had at the beginning goes away instantly and you find yourself walking in circles just trying to figure out what to do next; I know this is supposed to be a puzzle game, but there is little to no indication of what to do next.”
- “The atmosphere is only tense because you don't know when the next jumpscare is coming.”
music
52 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
42%
52%
6%
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its ability to enhance the atmosphere, with many reviewers noting its effectiveness in creating tension and immersion. The soundtrack is described as atmospheric and well-composed, contributing significantly to the overall experience, although some found it less memorable. Overall, the audio design, including sound effects and voice acting, complements the game's visuals and narrative, making it a standout feature.
- “The soundtrack is wonderful and the characters all have unique traits to them that increase the player experience.”
- “The music will move from relaxing and calming to music that makes you feel scared, almost like you're being chased and hiding in a corner, waiting to be found.”
- “A genuine descent into madness featuring an engaging storyline, stunning visuals, interesting game mechanics, and an excellent work on both sounds and the soundtrack.”
- “In my opinion, music and the feeling of sound needs work.”
- “The atmosphere and anxiety-inducing music score keeps you on edge and you'll always know when it's about to hit the fan.”
- “Not only that, the music changes before you even see the creature, becoming tense music which gives away that something unsettling is going on.”
optimization
47 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
11%
51%
38%
The game's optimization has received overwhelmingly negative feedback, with players reporting significant frame rate drops, stuttering, and crashes, particularly when settings are adjusted above low. While some users experienced decent performance in specific areas, the overall consensus is that the game is poorly optimized, leading to a frustrating gameplay experience. Many recommend waiting for patches or sales before purchasing due to these persistent performance issues.
- “The game has some performance issues on the deck related to the shadows, and anything set higher than low would hit the performance so bad it would tank the frame rate to 20fps.”
- “It is well optimized and has fun mechanics.”
- “Other than hopefully soon to be eradicated minor performance issues (turn off v-sync and lower detail to address these), I liked this one.”
- “The game has some performance issues on the deck related to the shadows and anything set higher than low would hit the performance so bad it would tank the frame rate to 20fps.”
- “Such a poorly optimized mess as to be literally unplayable.”
- “The worst aspect of the game is, without question, the performance.”
humor
26 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
92%
8%
The humor in the game is a mixed bag, with some players finding it unintentionally funny due to absurd situations and cartoonish elements, while others feel it falls flat or becomes repetitive and cringe-inducing. Many reviews highlight moments of genuine amusement, especially when played with friends, but also note that the humor often intertwines with disturbing themes, leading to a confusing experience. Overall, while there are humorous elements and environmental jokes, the effectiveness of the humor varies widely among players.
- “It's hilarious; I think unintentionally, but I'm loving it so far.”
- “The little note at the end after the epilogue about Theodore and Mabel had me laughing; just when you think things couldn't get more messed up, it does.”
- “The game is easy to joke around with and make fun of, but genuinely has some funny moments and environmental jokes.”
- “The upside-down controlling phase should be removed because it is not funny.”
- “In chapter 8, after the section with the bridge you create with essence, I got the star, but after that, I returned to where the bridge used to be and fell down. Now it is impossible to get back up, and the autosave is after I fell down. Since there is no way to select older saves, I will have to restart the entire game... not funny at all.”
stability
19 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
16%
95%
The stability of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting significant bugs and glitches that hinder gameplay, while others experienced a smooth and mostly bug-free experience. Some users noted specific instances of game-breaking issues, such as freezing and inventory problems, while a few praised the game's performance after initial troubleshooting. Overall, the game's stability appears inconsistent, with a notable divide between those who encountered severe issues and those who found it largely stable.
- “The positives were the graphics and the fact that the game was mostly bug-free.”
- “I was impressed by how stable the game felt; I didn't encounter any crashes or major glitches.”
- “The game runs smoothly without any significant issues, making for a seamless gaming experience.”
- “Piece of shit game that is so buggy as to render it useless to play.”
- “The last few hours I was alt-tabbing, restarting, and troubleshooting trying just about anything to find a solution to where I got stuck.”
- “Buggy, buggy, buggy... is this early access? Nope, looks good and easy to play; however, game-breaking bugs are stopping me from moving forward in the game.”
grinding
18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
6%
11%
83%
Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be excessively tedious and unengaging, with repetitive tasks and puzzles that detract from the overall experience. While the game's art and sound design are praised, the gameplay is criticized for its mundane checklist-style objectives and the need for constant item collection, leading to a frustrating experience. Many reviewers express a desire for more variety and less repetition in the gameplay to enhance enjoyment.
- “The survival is not hard and there is no tedious trial and error like some other games I could name.”
- “Also, the game has a lot of 'here's a checklist of things to do, do them' kind of moments, which are really tedious and don't bring anything to the gameplay.”
- “The game is just grinding finding things, more of an escape horror game... I find it to be very tedious and just running around.”
- “It's unfortunate that the gameplay (especially the late game puzzles) in there was the most tedious and hated part of the game for me.”
replayability
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
19%
63%
19%
Overall, the game's replayability is mixed, with some players noting a lack of incentive to replay after completing it, while others appreciate the option to explore different endings. The absence of manual saves or chapter selection limits the ability to revisit specific choices, which detracts from replay value for many. However, achievements and collectibles may provide some motivation for players seeking to extend their experience.
- “10/10 lots of replayability lmao”
- “🔲 infinitely replayable”
- “Replayability 10/10”
- “Replay value is pretty much not there unless you want all endings; the 'sexy' bits are more funny than much else, and the story is as generic as off-brand cola.”
- “The only downside I see so far is I feel like once I beat the game, there won't be much replay value.”
- “There isn't much replayability, but I think there were a couple of different possible endings.”
emotional
13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
92%
23%
The emotional aspect of the game is largely criticized, with many reviewers finding the characters unconvincing and the narrative lacking depth, leading to a disconnection from the story. While a few moments evoke genuine emotional responses, the overall experience is described as frustrating and painful, overshadowed by poor storytelling and gameplay mechanics. Some players do find a mix of emotions throughout, but the game's execution leaves much to be desired.
- “I try not to be emotional but again the characters hit a little too close to home for me.”
- “There were plenty of great moments throughout the game that evoked a weird mix of emotional responses from both of us; revulsion, arousal, shock, frustration, anger, affection, and wrath.”
- “It's an emotionally super-charged sprint through a world with incredible tone and story.”
- “Beautiful art direction doesn't make up for a poor story, boring storytelling, clunky gameplay, and the frustrating lack of differentiation between dialogues and cutscenes, which makes you unwillingly skip important information sometimes.”
- “The emotional moments feel forced and lack genuine impact, leaving me disconnected from the characters and their struggles.”
- “Despite the game's attempts to evoke feelings, the overall execution falls flat, making it hard to care about the outcomes.”
character development
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
20%
20%
60%
Character development in the game is mixed; while some players find it lacking in depth and connection, others appreciate the unexpected layers in the story and character arcs. Overall, the character design is considered average, which detracts from the emotional engagement players might feel.
- “I won't say too much on the story or events of the game to avoid spoilers, but there is a deeper story and more character development than I was expecting.”
- “So for the people considering buying this for the sex, there isn't much sex at all, nor is there the character development to make you want to have sex with the other characters.”
- “The character design is okay, nothing special though, but the level design and general aesthetics are very nice to look at.”
- “Loses points on the character design and the fact that I don't really want to go to sleep tonight.”
monetization
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Reviewers express concern that the monetization strategy detracts from the game's overall presentation, suggesting that the focus on appearing as a "serious" game has overshadowed its core advertising and promotional elements. This has led to a perception that the game's descriptions and visuals do not effectively represent its true value.
- “It's almost as if they were too busy making sure the game can be perceived as a 'serious' game, and completely forgot what the concept is advertising.”
- “I don't know if it's for advertisement purposes, but the descriptions and screenshots are diminutive of the game.”