Players Like...

❤ Navigating the Opaque Systems

As a "seeker after unholy mysteries," players must actively explore and experiment with the game's intricate card-based mechanics to uncover the underlying logic. Without any tutorials or handholding, players embark on a gradual discovery process, piecing together an understanding of how to progress and achieve their goals. This discovery-driven approach is a core aspect of the gameplay that many players find deeply rewarding. With each failure or "death" of a character, players gain new insights, encouraging them to persevere and learn from their mistakes. The sense of gradual mastery over the game's opaque systems is a significant draw for those willing to embrace the challenge.

❤ Balancing Act of Resources

At the heart of the gameplay is a constant balancing act, as players must carefully manage their character's physical, mental, and social needs, such as hunger, health, and notoriety, while simultaneously pursuing the growth of their cult and the acquisition of occult knowledge and power. Players must make difficult choices and tradeoffs to keep their character and cult functioning. Neglecting one area can lead to catastrophic consequences, such as a descent into madness or the attention of dangerous authorities. Successfully navigating this delicate balance is a significant source of accomplishment and appeal for many players.

❤ Nonlinear Narrative and Player Agency

Rather than a linear story, the game presents players with a rich, Lovecraftian world of "hidden gods and secret histories" that they can actively explore and shape through their choices and actions. The narrative unfolds in a nonlinear fashion, allowing players to pursue their own unique paths, whether it involves founding a cult dedicated to a specific occult power, indulging in forbidden pleasures, or ascending to a state of cosmic transcendence. The emphasis on discovery and the gradual unveiling of the underlying lore and mythology further enhances the sense of narrative agency. As players uncover new elements of the game's world, they are empowered to make more informed and impactful choices, leading to a deeply immersive and rewarding experience.

❤ Replayability and Emergent Gameplay

The lack of a defined "winning" condition, combined with the game's highly replayable nature, is a significant draw for many players. Each playthrough presents new challenges and opportunities, as the randomized elements and the player's own choices lead to vastly different outcomes and narrative arcs. The "roguelike" elements, such as permanent character death and the ability to pass on legacies to new characters, further contribute to the game's replayability. Players are encouraged to experiment with different strategies and approaches, as they strive to uncover the game's many possible endings and ascensions. This replayability, coupled with the game's emergent and unpredictable nature, allows for a high degree of player creativity and expression. Players can approach the game in unique ways, developing their own personal playstyles and narratives, leading to a rich and varied experience that can keep players engaged for dozens, if not hundreds, of hours.