My Boyfriend Plays ‘Cult Of The Lamb’? Here Is Why I Would Recommend It As A Girlfriend!
If you are a gamer and like to play every kind of roguelike video game that releases now and then, you must have heard about Cult of the Lamb. Well, I am not that good of a gamer and only watch and analyze the games that my boyfriend plays.
And that is when I came across Massive Monster’s Cult of the Lamb. Because of its cute antics, I really thought of giving this one a try. And I did!
Even though this particular game was popularized and branded as a traditional Roguelike RPG, I figured out that it is different from this subgenre in a lot of ways. At the same time, I also realized that this game combines the elements of both roguelike and roguelite! Interesting, right?
If you are a beginner in the gaming world just like me, and want to try out new games, this blog is just the one that you need. I will be talking about this particular game in detail. I will explain why you must give this game a try, even though the branding was a little off! So, keep reading this article till the end to learn more…
Cult Of The Lamb: Plot And Everything Else!
Cult of the Lamb is an indie video game developed by Massive Monster and published by Devolver Digital. It’s an action-adventure game with roguelike elements, where players take on the role of a sacrificed lamb who is resurrected and becomes the leader of their own cult.
The game features exploration, combat, and base-building mechanics, and it has a unique art style. “Cult of the Lamb” offers an intriguing narrative with choices that impact the game’s outcome, making it a captivating and engaging experience for players.
Found The Plot Pretty Nice!
In a realm of deceitful prophets, a unique Lamb (known as Lambert) emerges as the last of its kind. The Lamb faces sacrifice before The Four Bishops of the Old Faith and encounters a mysterious deity, “The One Who Waits,” imprisoned in chains. Tasked by this deity, The Lamb must form a cult in its name and receive a demonic crown upon resurrection.
Guided by The Lamb’s precursor, Ratau, it settles at the ruins of a temple to establish the cult and confront the four other Bishops – Leshy, Kallamar, Heket, and Shamura – to free The One Who Waits.
As The Lamb embarks on crusades against the Bishops, the cult grows with followers, and The Lamb’s powers expand. The death of each Bishop breaks one of the chains holding The One Who Waits, ultimately leading to its liberation.
During the journey, The Lamb learns that The One Who Waits was once known as “Narinder,” the Fifth Bishop and their brother. Narinder had grown ambitious, leading to betrayal and imprisonment by the other Bishops.
As The Lamb gets closer to its goal, it faces a final choice – to be sacrificed in front of its followers to fulfill the prophecy or reject the deity’s demand.
If The Lamb accepts the sacrifice, The One Who Waits is freed and ends The Lamb’s life. If The Lamb refuses, a battle ensues against The One Who Waits’s followers, Baal and Aym. Upon victory, The Lamb confronts The One Who Waits and either defeats it, turning it into Narinder, or spares Narinder, who becomes an immortal follower of the cult. The game ends with the followers of The Lamb being rescued and him returning to lead the cult.
Now that you know about the plot and the storyline, it is time for you to take a deeper dive into the gameplay of Cult of the Lamb!
Things You Need To Know About The Gameplay Of Cult Of The Lamb
If there is something that I was surprised to know, it is the fact that this particular game was nominated in three different categories at the 19th British Academy Game Awards. I mean, it should, but it DID! You know what I mean, right?
Well, if you don’t, then it is probably because you need a little background about the gameplay of this one. Let me explain!
Players assume the role of a special protagonist in the action-packed game “Cult of the Lamb,” a lamb tasked with creating a fervent cult to appease a nefarious deity who spared their life. Roguelike-style crusades spread out across five different regions make up the gameplay.
In this dynamically generated roguelike universe, players must gather resources, obtain perks and weapons, and fight rival cultists and atheists as they travel. The game has a unique twist: players can indoctrinate other animals into their expanding cult. These animals all have different appearances and traits that affect how they behave in the group.
The hamlet, where the player controls the actions of their followers, is the center of their cult. Assigning tasks like gathering resources, building structures, performing rituals, and even supporting the player in combat significantly affects the player’s abilities and the cult’s overall power.
Players must provide for the requirements of their followers by preaching, holding religious events to deepen their faith, offering food and shelter, and keeping the village clean in order to sustain a thriving cult. However, dissatisfaction among members can develop, sparking uprisings and even cult defections.
To prevent such conflicts, players can take care of their followers, offer gifts, re-educate them, or employ the pillory to curb rebellious tendencies. Failing to manage the followers’ needs may result in a loss of loyalty and a decline in cult influence.
1. Two Halves Of The Game: Dungeon Crawler & Cult Management!
Discover the captivating world of Cult of the Lamb, a gaming experience that seamlessly blends two exciting elements. Embark on an exhilarating dungeon-crawling adventure as the Lamb, navigating through the twisting realms of powerful bishops to confront their leaders and liberate your imprisoned god.
Each run offers unique challenges, as your weapons and power-ups are chosen for you at the start, complemented by randomly selected tarot cards uncovered along the way. Embrace the thrill of unpredictability, reminiscent of acclaimed titles like 2018’s Hades and 2020’s Going Under, where no two runs are ever the same. Dive into this dynamic gaming gem and immerse yourself in the world of Cult of the Lamb.
The next part is about managing your cult. In this game, you not only embark on thrilling conquests but also master the art of cult management.
As the cult leader, you’ll gather diverse followers from the four realms, rescuing some, purchasing others from menacing spiders, and even converting horrifying level bosses into devoted members. Your worshippers depend on you for their basic needs like food, shelter, and spiritual guidance, and in return, they provide you with prayers that enhance your strength during conquests against nonbelievers.
Managing your cult is a delicate task, and you’ll need to maintain their loyalty by delivering sermons and performing rituals, from feasts to weddings and even blood sacrifices. The in-game clock keeps the cult’s rhythm flowing, giving you daily opportunities to strengthen the faith of your followers and prevent the risks of illness, starvation, or dissent among your followers.
2. Doctrine System And Base Building
“Cult of the Lamb” is a unique and captivating game that blends elements of roguelite dungeon-crawling, city-building, and management simulation. Its charmingly grim, bloody cartoon aesthetic and tongue-in-cheek dark humor set it apart as one of the most standout games of the year.
Developed by a small team, “Cult of the Lamb” impressively offers vast content and intricate mechanics, making it a truly immersive experience. One notable feature is the Doctrine system, empowering players to enhance their cult followers’ traits.
As players progress through the game’s first hour, they are gradually introduced to a plethora of mechanics. Despite their complexity, the game masterfully introduces each one naturally, allowing players to grasp them before moving on to the next. Toward the end of the first hour, players encounter the Doctrine system, enabling them to upgrade their followers with trait bonuses from five distinct categories.
Players must collect three pieces of Commandment Tablet to unlock a new Doctrine. These can be found in the procedurally-generated dungeons or obtained by leveling up a follower’s Devotion. Followers can level up through Gifts, Blessings, side missions, and Worship, granting players valuable Tablet pieces as they progress.
3. Doctrine Button And Categories
In “Cult of the Lamb,” players can acquire Commandment Tablet pieces to unlock the Doctrine system in their temple. By clicking on the “Crown” option and selecting the Doctrine button, players are presented with five categories: Afterlife, Work and Worship, Sustenance, Law and Order, and Possessions. These categories encompass essential aspects of cult management.
Within each category, players must choose between two opposing traits. For instance, in the Afterlife category, players can select either the “Ritual of Resurrection” Doctrine, allowing them to revive a deceased follower, or the “Funeral” Doctrine, which boosts the shared Faith pool by 20 as followers honor the dead.
Each Doctrine category offers five levels as players progress, enabling them to equip up to 25 traits simultaneously. However, with each level comes the challenge of making important decisions about which traits to choose. As the cult grows and managing its members become more complex, players must carefully consider their choices.
All in all, “Cult of the Lamb” offers an exciting gameplay experience with the Doctrine system, encouraging players to strategize and shape their cult according to their preferences and objectives. This unique feature adds depth and complexity to the game, making it a rewarding experience for players who enjoy managing and customizing their in-game communities.
4. Combats
Now, if you are someone who likes to go into fights and battle in your games, then Cult of the Lamb has that for you as well!
The game’s controls are straightforward, featuring a single attack button, a special “curse” power, and a dodge roll. However, each of these elements is finely tuned for effectiveness. The dodge is particularly responsive, allowing you to deftly evade well-telegraphed enemy attacks as you navigate through rooms filled with cultists and monsters.
Along your journey, you’ll encounter various weapons, curses, and tarot card-based buffs that add variety to each new adventure and aid you in your quest to complete the campaign.
Despite its strengths, the game has one significant drawback. At the start of each crusade, you are given a random weapon and curse, but unfortunately, you have no control over their selection. Some options, like the default sword and harder-hitting axe, are reliable and effective.
However, others, like the slow hammer and less potent gloves, struggle against the game’s mobile enemies. Similarly, some curses provide satisfying area-of-effect blasts, while others prove less useful. Short runs mean you may not have the chance to find a suitable replacement, leading to potential frustration when facing bosses with a less than ideal setup.
5. Cards Play A Big Role
In “Cult of the Lamb,” although the opportunities to choose attacks are limited, you have numerous chances to modify your strategy mid-run with tarot cards. These power-ups offer various boons, from extra health to adding projectiles to your melee attack or even unique bonuses like enemies dropping fish when defeated.
While some of these cards mostly provide stat upgrades, such as a 20% increase in weapon damage, they still add an element of excitement to the gameplay. Discovering a rare tarot card that doubles the attack speed of your ax can be incredibly satisfying and enjoyable.
However, finding powerful cards might make boss encounters on the default difficulty too easy. While the visual design of the horrific eldritch monstrosities and their bullet hell-like attacks showcase creativity, playing on default difficulty could trivialize these battles.
To fully appreciate the clever designs and challenges of the bosses, experienced players may want to start the game on Hard mode. Ramping up the difficulty provides a more engaging and rewarding experience, giving these well-crafted boss encounters the spotlight they truly deserve.
All in all, in Cult of the Lamb, tarot cards offer a dynamic way to enhance your gameplay experience, and adjusting the difficulty level can ensure a more satisfying and thrilling journey through the game’s dark and mysterious world.
I Wish I Knew These In The Initial Stages Of The Game!
In “Cult of the Lamb,” players experience a thrilling adventure, strategic decision-making, and the challenge of maintaining a devoted following, making it an exciting and immersive gaming experience. However, there are a few things that I really wish I had known sooner, as they could have helped me play the game better!
1. Being The Leader Of The Cult Or The God Is Really Difficult!
In the beginning, you’re presented with a base that becomes the heart of your cult in “Cult of the Lamb.” Your mission is to attract as many followers as possible to your cause. Merely showcasing your supernatural abilities, like levitating with blood pouring from your eyes, won’t suffice. Your followers are quite demanding, seeking various creature comforts that only you can provide.
Building a base is one of the most important parts of the game. The more followers you have, the better it is. However, it also gets difficult to pay attention to each and every member of your cult.
Every action you undertake, whether it’s preparing food for your followers or attending to their bodily needs, boosts their faith in you. Neglecting their requirements, however, leads to growing discontent, and they might start preaching heresy.
In “Cult of the Lamb,” nurturing your cult becomes a crucial aspect of the game. By catering to your followers’ needs and keeping their faith strong, you’ll ensure their loyalty and prevent discord within the cult. Stay vigilant and attentive to their needs as you strive to become the charismatic leader your cult desires. The fate of your burgeoning cult lies in your hands!
2. You Need To Give Time To Your Followers
In “Cult of the Lamb,” I diligently cared for my followers, ensuring they were well-fed and content. While there were a few unfortunate mishaps, I took pride in providing a fulfilling life for most of my followers. And that was proven as many of them passed away happily and at a ripe age.
The aspect of building and nurturing my base and followers held a special appeal for me. It was challenging to leave for the crusades, knowing my people might suffer in my absence. I found myself fully immersed, roleplaying as if I were a divine being.
When recruiting new followers, I refrained from altering their names or appearances to maintain an inclusive atmosphere. I felt a profound sense of fulfillment, upholding core beliefs that real-world religions often struggle to embody.
“Cult of the Lamb” allowed me to explore the depths of cult management and the complexities of being a god-like figure. The game’s unique approach to religion and inclusion resonated with me. It fostered a sense of purpose and meaning within my virtual cult. Stay tuned for more insights and experiences as we continue this enthralling journey in “Cult of the Lamb.”
Also, do not forget to give gifts to your followers occasionally. Remember, each item you find randomly can give your followers special powers which you can use to your advantage.
3. Focus On Resources
Thirdly, it is very true that almost everyone knows how important resources are in any game. However, the resources in Cult of the Lamb take a bigger turn. From Wood to Poop, you need literally everything that you see around.
If you are planning to play this game, you will find something really weird — poop-eating. Yes, that is correct.
Now, I also thought that it was one of the weirdest things to happen. But, while I was reading an interview with Jay Armstrong, the game designer, this is what he had to say:
"I think the poop mechanic became important because we knew we wanted to have the farming in the game quite early on, but I don't know whose idea it was to come up with the quest where you were encouraged to feed the poo. It definitely wasn't meant to be quite such a central part of what always everyone latches onto."
But don’t think that you are forcing your followers to eat poo. You’re not coercing your followers into consuming undesirable meals; they willingly express their unique desires. Occasionally, a follower will approach you with a “dark desire,” like wanting to “eat a meal made of poop.”
Surprisingly, fulfilling these unusual requests is beneficial, as it boosts your follower’s faith. While they may immediately vomit after indulging in their peculiar cravings, these are joyful moments for them. Embracing their eccentricities strengthens their bond with you, the cult leader, and adds an intriguing aspect to the game’s mechanics.
Apart from this, if you are unwilling to collect the pile of poop scattered everywhere, let me tell you something. It is best that you do! This can be used as fertilizer that can easily benefit you when it comes to growing crops. And to be honest, the more the number of crops, the better the food. And THAT will increase the chances of you winning!
4. True Meaning Of Sacrifices
I know, I know, they are MY followers, and I should not be doing that. But, hey, after all, this is a cult that needs to grow, right? Players seeking to conquer each Crusade must unlock the ability to sacrifice Followers.
Players venture through the Darkwoods Crusades to gain this power until they defeat the second mini-boss. Upon completion, they encounter The One Who Waits. He is the one who rewards the Lamb with a new ability called the “Sacrifice of the Flesh.” With this unlocked, players can activate the Ritual at their Church Altar. Thus, they can personally choose a Follower to sacrifice to the Old God.
Sacrificing a Follower grants the Lamb a substantial amount of EXP, crucial for increasing the power of their Red Crown. This leads to unlocking additional features during the Crusades, including extra health, fervor, new weapons, and Curses. The amount of EXP earned for upgrades depends on the Loyalty Level of the sacrificed follower.
Executing the Ritual costs 75 Bones (or 37 Bones with the Cheaper Rituals unlocked in the Divine Inspiration tree) and reduces -10 Faith.
In “Cult of the Lamb,” mastering the art of sacrifice unlocks valuable benefits. This enhances the Lamb’s abilities and enables them to conquer the challenging Crusades.
5. Food Is Very Important
Lastly, eat your meal! Food is life. And this statement holds true even in this game. If your followers are well-fed, they are going to work wonders for you. You can send them on crusades to get more resources as well!
Also, do not forget to eat before you go to a dungeon. This is the secret to getting an additional life or heart point! YES, you heard that right. No one knows how difficult or easy a particular dungeon crawl might be. Hence, having an extra life is no more than a bonus, right?
So, Why is Cult of the Lamb so Popular?
Cult of the Lamb is a roguelike video game that was released on August 11, 2022, for various platforms. The game has become very popular among gamers and critics, who have praised its gameplay, graphics, and humor. Here are some of the reasons why Cult of the Lamb is so popular:
- Unique and original concept: Cult of the Lamb is a game that combines elements of base building, resource management, and action combat, with a dark and twisted theme of cult creation. The game follows a lamb who is revived by a mysterious deity and tasked with forming a loyal flock of followers and spreading its word across the land. The game offers a lot of creative and strategic possibilities, as well as moral dilemmas, for the players to explore and enjoy.
- Charming and colorful graphics: Cult of the Lamb is a game that features a pixel art style that is cute and vibrant, but also contrasted with a grim and bloody atmosphere. The game has a lot of attention to detail and animation, as well as a variety of environments and characters to discover and interact with. The game also has a dynamic lighting and shadow system that adds to the mood and immersion of the game.
Fun and challenging gameplay: Cult of the Lamb is a game that offers a lot of replay value and difficulty, as it features a procedurally generated world, a permadeath system, and a diverse and unpredictable enemy AI. The game also has a lot of customization and progression options, as well as secrets and surprises, for the players to unlock and experiment with. The game also has a co-op mode that allows players to team up with their friends and share their cults and adventures.
Bottom Line: Cult Of The Lamb Is A Great Blend Of Genres!
“Cult of the Lamb” offers an engaging and well-balanced gameplay experience. This makes it a must-try game for fans of roguelike adventures and city-building simulations. Discover the captivating world of the game where adorable meets unsettling in a seamless blend of genres and themes. Experience immensely satisfying combat, despite the short runs and relatively limited variety between them compared to other action roguelikes.
Unleash your ax’s swing while indulging in the thrill of building your cult base and caring for your devoted followers. This eclectic mix of gameplay elements ensures an enthralling and enjoyable gaming experience. Delve into the charm and challenges of “Cult of the Lamb.” Immerse yourself in the captivating world of cult management and action-packed adventures.
In case you wanted to know how to play Cult of the Lamb, I hope that this article has been of help to you. If there are any other queries related to the same, feel free to let me know. All you need to do is scroll down until you reach the page’s bottom. Then leave your comments and suggestions in the box below. And I will be there to answer them, all for you. And do not forget to share what other games you would want me to review!
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