If you are a fan of Lovecraftian horror and tabletop games, you may have come across Cthulhu’s Vault. The game, developed by a small indie studio, promises to immerse players in a world of eldritch horror, where the fate of the world rests in their hands. However, as someone who recently played the game, I have to say that I was sorely disappointed.
To start with, the gameplay mechanics of Cthulhu’s Vault are rather lackluster. The game is essentially a deck-building game, where players take turns drawing cards and building up their decks to defeat the enemy. While the game tries to add some twists to the formula, such as special abilities and events, it ultimately feels very repetitive and unexciting. I found myself going through the motions rather than truly engaging with the game.
Furthermore, the game’s theme and atmosphere fall flat. Lovecraftian horror is all about creating a sense of dread and helplessness in the face of cosmic horrors. However, Cthulhu’s Vault fails to capture this feeling. The art and design of the game are uninspired, and the writing and flavor text lack the evocative language and imagery that Lovecraft is known for. As a result, the game feels like a generic fantasy game with a few tentacles thrown in.
Finally, I have to say that the game’s pacing is a major issue. Cthulhu’s Vault is a slow game, with turns that can drag on and on as players try to figure out the optimal move. While some may enjoy the strategic depth of the game, I found it to be a slog. The slow pace, combined with the lackluster gameplay and theme, made for a rather boring experience overall.
So to conclude, I cannot recommend Cthulhu’s Vault to anyone looking for a Lovecraftian horror experience or an engaging tabletop game. While the game has its merits, such as the ability to play solo or with up to four players, these are not enough to make up for the game’s shortcomings. If you are looking for a truly immersive Lovecraftian horror game, I suggest looking elsewhere.
If you’re still interested in picking this game up, though, you can get it on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3lPkekc