Nov 01, 2018 Call of Cthulhu Beginners Guide Call of Cthulhu (2018) features an immersive and deep dialogue tree system, allowing you to deal with. Call of Cthulhu: The Official Video Game is a Survival Horror Adventure Game Role-Playing Game developed by Cyanide Studio and published by Focus Home Interactive. It is set in the Cthulhu Mythos, and is a loose adaption of Chaosium's Call of Cthulhu Tabletop Roleplaying Game.
Call of dark adventures. The Call of Cthulhu guide consists of a comprehensive collection of tips and a detailed walkthrough for this dark adventure game. We explain what skills you should invest in, how to avoid enemies and how to complete all chapters without any problems.
Our guide for Call of Cthulhu will prepare you for a dozen of hours spent in the atmospheric world created by H. P. Lovecraft. This guide is a compendium where every player, regardless of their knowledge about this universe, will find answers to questions as well as gameplay-related tips. The guide focuses on the most important aspects such as interaction with NPCs, exploration or collecting items. Besides that, we also focus on seemingly trivial aspects such as the order of performing certain activities and their potential impact on the world.
The guide opens with the chapter dedicated to starting tips and descriptions of the most basic gameplay mechanics. Here, you can learn about the impact of skills on conversations with NPCs, how much do your skills determine available dialog options and what are their consequences. This part also contains chapters dedicated to character progression system - check this chapter for detailed descriptions of the available skills, how to develop them, what are their restrictions and how they influence the story. You can also learn about stealth mechanic, how to search through rooms, and the retrospection mode.
We have also included a detailed walkthrough. It contains detailed descriptions of every chapter and their respective missions. On top of that, our walkthrough also includes alternate ways of reaching destinations and completing objectives. Every chapter is richly illustrated and, if necessary, supported by a video showing, step by step, the process of solving a given puzzle or problem. The guide also contains an FAQ section where you can find answers to all your questions regarding the game. Here, you can learn how to solve more challenging puzzles, how to refill oil in your lamp, how to unlock the majority of the achievements in one playthrough, and which skills should you get first to avoid blocking yourself from story-related choices.
The final part of the guide, the Appendix, also contains important information. Here, you can learn about the system requirements, check if your PC can run the game, and read about the controls for every platform. Check our comprehensive chapter about the available achievements and trophies -detailed information and videos will help you unlock them.
Call of Cthulhu is a dark adventure game that combines elements of a psychological thriller, a stealth game and horror. It is based on books written by H. P. Lovecraft, an American writer. The game is based on his Cthulhu mythology. The main character, Edward Pierce, is a private detective. He investigates the mysterious deaths of Sara Hawkins and her family. The investigation takes an unexpected turn very quickly - the intrigue is intertwined with mysterious disappearances, a crazy doctor experimenting on patients, mutilated bodies of whales, as well as the titular Cthulhu known as the Great Dreamer. Call of Cthulhu uses the first-person perspective. The game is focused on exploration and solving various logic and environment puzzles. Call of Cthulhu also features RPG elements - the player can develop their character's skills by making progress in the game. The game was developed by Cyanide Studio, known from the Styx series, and published by Focus Home Interactive. Call of Cthulhu is available on PC, PS4 and XONE.
Starting tips
Check the controls before you start playing Call of Cthulhu. By doing that you will be able to enter this twisted - for newcomers - universe and learn the basic gameplay mechanics. Here, you can check how to remain undetected, what you have to do when you get spotted, how to use light efficiently, or which abilities are worth checking out.
Starting tips:
- Decide which abilities you want to unlock right after you start playing the game. Skills have a huge impact on the gameplay - they determine your choices and dialog options. Remember that skills aren't used on combat - the game doesn't feature any combat system.
- Read the chapter dedicated to the skills carefully. There, you can find information about skills and their impact on the gameplay - certain things aren't as obvious as you may think.
- Focus on Investigation skill if you don't know which abilities you should get next. This ability improves your analytical skills - you can investigate events that happened in the past, examine items left in a crime scene or, most importantly, open locks with lockpicks - the last ability is extremely helpful because it allows you to reach inaccessible places.
- The beginning of the game is the only moment where you can invest points in Medicine and Occultism - later, these skills can only be developed by collecting certain items. You should try to put a few points into them during your second playthrough - having a few points in Occultism is necessary for one of the endings.
- Don't pay too much attention to Strength skill. The game doesn't feature any combat. Strength skill has an impact on a small amount of things - it mostly allows you to solve problems with force. Instead, you should develop, i.e. Spot Hidden skill.
- The game features a few parts where you will have to sneak. Sadly, the stealth system isn't perfect - enemies can detect you in the most peculiar places. The stealth mechanic is rather simple - when an enemy sees you, an icon will appear above their head. The icon's first color is white - this means that the enemy is looking for you. The red icon means that the enemy has spotted you. It also informs you that it is time to run because you are about to be chased by that enemy.
- You aren't without any options in the stealth sections. There are many wardrobes and nooks that you can use to hide. You can avoid enemies with ease by remaining undetected while you are hiding somewhere - after that you just have to simply wait for an enemy to move away, and leave the hiding spot.
- Run when an enemy's icon has turned red! Hiding in a wardrobe is useless because an alerted enemy will pull you out of it. It is better to sprint and make a few turns - you will confuse your chaser. After that you can hide somewhere safe.
- There are two ways of lighting up dark places - you can use a lighter or a lamp. The first item generates less light but it has an unlimited supply of fuel. A lamp shines much brighter but it requires oil. Use the lighter as much as you can, switch to the lamp only when you really have to - this will help you save oil. You can refill the lamp by using special containers placed usually on desks or tables (you can find them in key locations). You can use these containers as many times as you want.
- You can't save the game whenever you want to, you can rely only on checkpoints. However, there is a way to make manual saves on the PC version. More details about that can be found in 'How to save the game manually?' chapter in the FAQ section of the guide.
- Try to interact with every item. This allows you to unlock additional dialog options, learn more about the game's world or get items that increase your skills (Medicine or Occultism). Some of the items are related to the achievements/trophies.
- Remember to speak again with encountered NPCs. You can get new dialog options, even when you have select all the available options in your previous conversation with that character - you can do that by examining items or speaking with other NPCs. Usually, speaking with someone again unlocks new options.
Walkthrough
Here, you can find the detailed walkthrough for all the chapters available in Call of Cthulhu. Every chapter features detailed descriptions and numerous illustrations - thanks to that everyone should be able to complete the missions. Every chapter also contains descriptions of alternate paths as well as puzzle solutions.
Gameplay basics
This section contains chapters dedicated to the basic gameplay mechanics found in Call of Cthulhu. Here, you can learn about the stealth mechanics, how to develop your character, check the available types of light sources as well as their pros and cons, learn how to search through rooms, and read about the retrospection mode.
Trophies and achievements
This part of the guide is dedicated to the achievements and trophies available in Call of Cthulhu. The more challenging trophies/achievements have a detailed description and a video that shows the process of unlocking it. With our tips, you will get all the achievements and unlock the platinum trophy.
FAQ
The FAQ section contains answers to all possible questions about Call of Cthulhu. Here, you can find solutions to difficult puzzles, learn which skills you should develop, how to refill oil in your lamp, and how to create manual saves.
Appendix
The final part of the guide contains information on the controls in the PC, PS4 and XONE version as well as information on the system requirements.
About Call of Cthulhu Guide
Author : Jakub 'jbugielski' Bugielski for gamepressure.com
Translator : Mateusz 'Ictius' Sawka
last update : October 30, 2018
Use the comments below to submit your updates and corrections to this guide.
Call of Cthulhu Video Game
- genre: Adventure
- developer: Cyanide Studio
- publisher: Focus Home Interactive
- platform: PC, PS4, XONE
Call of Cthulhu is a dark adventure game, enriched with elements borrowed from survival horrors and sneaking. Cyanide Studio, a band known mainly from the Styx series, took on their shoulders to create the program. The title was published by Focus Home Interactive on the PC, PS4 and XONE platforms, among others.
Call of Cthulhu is based on the so-called Cthulhu Mythology, created by Howard Phillips Lovecraft, the legendary American horror writer. The main character of the game is Edward Pierce - a private investigator whose task is to explain the mysterious murder of the famous artist Sara Hawkins and her family. Over time, the investigation has taken an unexpected turn - not only the equally mysterious disappearances, but also the mutilated bodies of whales found on Darkwater Island in Boston seem to be connected with the matter. Pierce quickly discovers that behind everything can stand the title Cthulhu, also called the Great Dreamer - one of the Ancient Ages, that is, the ancient, powerful beings who remains in sleep, and when the stars in the sky set in the right order, he will wake up and take back the power over the world.
In Call of Cthulhu on the PC, PS4 and XONE platforms, the action is presented from the first person perspective (FPP). The game is based on exploring and solving various puzzles. Adventure leads both through gloomy city streets, as well as research complexes, undergrounds, and finally temples of cultivists. The player must try to keep a balance between the desire to discover creatures lurking in the darkness, and the state of mind of the charges - too much immersion in the mysteries of darkness can lead the character of the detective to madness. In the course of the game we meet more or less friendly NPCs - while some are willing to cooperate, others react to the protagonist with aggression. The game has also implemented extended elements of RPG - the title is based on a paper RPG license from the American publishing house Chaosium, from which some gameplay mechanisms have been taken.
Call of Cthulhu is characterized by high quality, three-dimensional graphic design, maintained in economical colors and gloomy style. The whole is complemented by a specially composed soundtrack, which effectively builds a shivering atmosphere.
Call of Cthulhu is based on the so-called Cthulhu Mythology, created by Howard Phillips Lovecraft, the legendary American horror writer. The main character of the game is Edward Pierce - a private investigator whose task is to explain the mysterious murder of the famous artist Sara Hawkins and her family. Over time, the investigation has taken an unexpected turn - not only the equally mysterious disappearances, but also the mutilated bodies of whales found on Darkwater Island in Boston seem to be connected with the matter. Pierce quickly discovers that behind everything can stand the title Cthulhu, also called the Great Dreamer - one of the Ancient Ages, that is, the ancient, powerful beings who remains in sleep, and when the stars in the sky set in the right order, he will wake up and take back the power over the world.
In Call of Cthulhu on the PC, PS4 and XONE platforms, the action is presented from the first person perspective (FPP). The game is based on exploring and solving various puzzles. Adventure leads both through gloomy city streets, as well as research complexes, undergrounds, and finally temples of cultivists. The player must try to keep a balance between the desire to discover creatures lurking in the darkness, and the state of mind of the charges - too much immersion in the mysteries of darkness can lead the character of the detective to madness. In the course of the game we meet more or less friendly NPCs - while some are willing to cooperate, others react to the protagonist with aggression. The game has also implemented extended elements of RPG - the title is based on a paper RPG license from the American publishing house Chaosium, from which some gameplay mechanisms have been taken.
Call of Cthulhu is characterized by high quality, three-dimensional graphic design, maintained in economical colors and gloomy style. The whole is complemented by a specially composed soundtrack, which effectively builds a shivering atmosphere.
More About Call of Cthulhu
The works of H.P. Lovecraft are more popular now than ever before, even during his life. The Cthulhu mythos has been a source of inspiration for all kinds of media. Let us see how well it works as a setting for video games.
He's waiting and dreaming. And so are we, for the various upcoming games focusing on or in the near vicinity of the Cthulhu mythos.
See if we can play with madness in our Call of Cthulhu Review.On paper, Call of Cthulhu has the potential to be a deeply enriching dive into classic Lovecraft mythos thanks to a heavy influence from the 1981 tabletop pen and paper role-playing game of the same name. And you know what? Those pen and paper roots are where Call of Cthulhu tends to be strongest, but that’s also a part of the reason the game’s weaknesses are so prominent.You play as private detective Edward Pierce, stuck in a rut via existential crisis when an intriguing case lands in his lap. Pierce must travel to Darkwater Island to investigate the death of the Hawkins family, who all tragically died in a fire at their home. Pierce hasn’t got much to go on, but a disturbing painting by the family’s mother could provide an otherworldy clue. Before you know it, there’s cultists, unspeakable creatures, and a sense of impending doom around every green-hued corner.Call of Cthulhu is presented in first-person and gives you a procession of large open areas to explore and investigate during each chapter. Pierce can interact with the people of Darkwater, asking them questions to gain fresh insight and information on the case.
Here is where Call of Cthulhu shines. The game doesn’t point out its clues to you in an obvious way, rather, it asks you to pay attention to what you see and what you’re told and go back over the notes in Pierce’s journal. As you complete smaller objectives you gain points to upgrade your skills in deduction, conversation, and knowledge of the occult among others. These effectively improve your chances of succeeding in certain sections of the game, be it gleaning extra info from an artifact or sweet-talking a disgruntled fisherman into starting a ruckus.While this method oversimplifies interaction in some ways, it makes for a great spin on the visual novel genre where you have a bit more control.
Not so much a ‘walking simulator’, but rather a digital equivalent of a pen and paper RPG. This means you can fail an opportunity to progress one way, and still have a variety of other routes available depending on how skilled you are at a certain thing. The system is the most in-depth part of Call of Cthulhu and it’s a very good reason to persevere when certain other aspects of the game fall spectacularly short.You see, while Call of Cthulhu talks a good game, whenever it tries to be a more ‘traditional’ video game it struggles. Stealth is introduced a few chapters in and is of the insta-fail variety. The first time it appears it’s fairly easy to navigate, though the game doesn’t explain itself very well in regards to how it works.
It’s when it shows up the next time that it’s a frustrating mess. You’re hunted by a foe, unable to defend yourself without obtaining a certain weapon. Problem is, the stealth is implemented in such a patchy, ineffectual way that it makes traversing the environment a harrowing affair as you’ll be killed the second you’re touched by the enemy and its view of you is a tad vague.Combat is another sore point. It’s very, very rare, confined mostly to situational button prompts that you can barely class as combat to begin with, but it does appear in an ever-so-slightly more fleshed out form later in the game, and it is wholly unpleasant and ill-fitting with the game.
It’s telling that the source material has an aversion to combat in the first place, but quite why that extends to shonky stealth is a bit of a mystery, especially when Cyanide is no stranger to it.These are somewhat brief ripples in the water thankfully. The structure outside of it is so well handled you can almost forgive these indiscretions. Take the way the game handles sanity. It’s woven into every kind of action you take, and your understanding, or lack thereof, can determine just how Pierce’s psyche holds up over the ten or so hours he spends on the damned island. That then flows through into the game’s branching choices and eventual multiple endings too, and the results are satisfying even with the more risible things you have to endure to get there.These deep systems are nothing though if Call of Cthulhu can’t capture the tone and atmosphere of Lovecraft’s work, and for the most part, it does that exceedingly well, but this is a game with a fair few rough edges to navigate in the technical department. Visually-speaking, Cthulhu is a suitably uneven beast. On the one hand, it’s strong in its world design.
The somber, grim greens of the game’s visual atmosphere wash over everything, giving an ethereal look to this once-proud fishing town. The biggest compliment you can pay Call of Cthulhu is that it often manages to feel positively Lovecraftian. Not all the time (there are some sections that are a tad humdrum and could be from any first-person horror), but a significant portion of it.Detail isn’t always Call of Cthulhu’s friend sadly.
The character models are largely stunningly similar, and for a game that does not exactly have the biggest cast of characters around, it’s rather unfortunate how cheap that makes Call of Cthulhu look. The animation commits a comparable crime. Lip-sync is well out, and character models move rigidly and mechanically. It surprisingly doesn’t take as much out of the immersion as you’d expect, but the wrong combination of issues (which is an all-too-common occurrence) really can derail the mood.Throw in an endgame that funnels you towards the conclusion in a far more basic manner than the opening sections and the overall feeling I came away with was one of frustration.
There is a lot of promise here, but not quite enough of it fulfilled. The combat could have been done away with completely (rare as it is anyway) and the stealth either ditched or simplified.
The strong suit of Call of Cthulhu is in its conversation/investigation mechanics. Sure the game would have been a little lacking in variety if that’s all there was but honestly, it would have been a much more consistently enjoyable and immersive adventure for it.Call of Cthulhu review code provided by the publisher.Call of Cthulhu is available now on PS4, Xbox One, and PC.