One of the best games ever made: Call of Cthulhu, Dark Corners of the Earth

Henke · 07-15-2006, 09:26 AM

Now I completed it and this game goes to my list of the best games I've ever played. Right next to Sanitarium, Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis and Monkey Island 2 among others. It has been a long time since I played a game I enjoyed this much. Thank god that they are still making great games. I really recommend everybody to play it.

It got alot of both adventure- and action-elements in the gameplay. Now I mean real adventure-elements like the maincharacter is commenting on things you find and see in the environment and there are real puzzles where you pick up objects and use them on things in the games environment. The story is great with for example diary-entries to read and there are alot of shooting as well that makes your adrenaline pump like never before. Everything works together perfectly. The best thing about it is the scripted sequences that occurs everywhere throughout the game and they are just breathtaking. The old cliché "feels like playing through a movie" has never been more true.

RLacey · 07-15-2006, 11:13 AM

While I hate the save point system (I happen to be stuck at one place quite early on, and it really annoys me that I have to watch the same, unskippable cutscene every time I die) I can't fault the actual gameplay. For some reason it reminds me of the brief time I spent playing Realms of the Haunting before I put the latter game aside (I'm waiting until I visit an Australian friend to play RotH). Well worth playing.

Henke · 07-15-2006, 11:51 AM

Realms of the Haunting was fairly good too. I remember that beating the bad guy at the end was rather fun.

TM3 · 07-18-2006, 08:02 PM

Once I get a powerful computer, I'll be sure to give that game a shot. It's good to see an engaging horror game that's not Resident evil-related.

Henke · 07-28-2006, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TM3

Once I get a powerful computer, I'll be sure to give that game a shot. It's good to see an engaging horror game that's not Resident evil-related.

You're not going to be disapointed (if you promise to stick with the game to the end that is).

I must say that it wasn't much action in this thread. Are everybody who have played/tested the game gone hiding?

Spybreaka · 07-30-2006, 06:35 AM

I started playing it a few days ago but had to stop for a while - it was truly scary and the mood kind of depressed me! The first chase scene managed to keep my adrenaline high and my heart thumping no matter how many times I died and replayed it. Truly a masterpiece in horror gaming from what I've played so far!

07-30-2006, 07:32 AM

I've never really thought too much about CoC (

), but I've been seeing things about this game for a while now and it always seemed like a good one. Just been reading reviews from IGN and gamespot who think it's good. Video clips and screenshots do look appetising. Definitely one I want to play!

Helen · 07-30-2006, 08:18 AM

Im waiting for my copy to arrive, if you feel this game reminded you of "Realms of the Haunting" then I know Ill love it.

IMO ROTH was a brilliant game and one Ill play again.

JemyM · 07-30-2006, 11:15 AM

CoC: DCotE is a game that magically made fans among the least likely to enjoy a first person 3d shooter. I have a friend who loathed 3d games since they came, especially "brainless shooters", and he loved it. He was even thinking about buying an XBox to play it even if he hates Microsoft... Despite the aged graphics, most reviewers just could not give CoC a bad score, gameplay and story simply makes up for the aged graphics. And even the adventurefans that tried it loved it.

It's definitely a "thinker" FPS, to not say "First Person Horror Adventure". And a good plus for actually keeping true to the roleplaying game with the same name.

Bastich · 07-31-2006, 06:48 PM

I agree with you Henke. I also found CoC to be one of the best games I have ever played, even with its warts. It was probably the single most immersive experience I have ever had with a computer.

I have always hated HUDs because I feel they are largely unnecessary for the vast majority of games and this game proved how lame they truly are. I have had a hard time going back to normal games now because the HUDs instantly take me out of the experience. They are a constant and annoying reminder that I am nothing but an outsider looking in through a window at the game world rather than moving about within it. Not to mention the information they provide is worthless 99% of the time they are visible....

Anyway, I loved the vertigo effects, (except when a bug in the game left it on for an entire level in the Marsh refinery), and the action sequences were incredible. That first sequence in the hotel was just pure genius. I felt just as frantic as if I was really there. I haven't felt as much tension playing a game since System Shock 2.

I played the entire game with an altered executable so I could get the "arm" option and to remove the film effects for even more immersion.

I hope someone takes their lead and develops similar games in the future...

Putrid Moldyman · 08-01-2006, 04:39 AM

I couldn't play all the way through. I really liked the atmosphere of the game at first, but by the end, the game was trying too hard to be Medal of Honor with all of its scripted action sequences, trial and error death sequences, and so on. Again, loved the early portions, but as soon as you hit that bland factory maze with re-spawning enemies, I feel the game takes a nose dive.

bysmitty · 08-01-2006, 08:17 AM

I've been eyeing this one up for a while now but the lack of cheat codes might just keep me from playing it. Basically, I stink at action games and get easily frustrated with dying over and over again. I can envision myself getting stuck 10 mins into the game and give up in frustration. It looks and sounds like a good game though.

...bysmitty

Relek · 08-01-2006, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bysmitty

I've been eyeing this one up for a while now but the lack of cheat codes might just keep me from playing it. Basically, I stink at action games and get easily frustrated with dying over and over again. I can envision myself getting stuck 10 mins into the game and give up in frustration. It looks and sounds like a good game though.

...bysmitty

It's more adventure than action tbh

bysmitty · 08-02-2006, 03:51 AM

Well I took the plunge last night and picked this one up. I played through the introductory scene and find it fun so far. I'm moving this weekend so it may be a week or two before I can revisit it though.

...bysmitty

*Melanie68* · 08-09-2006, 10:21 PM

Out of curiosity, has anyone read H.P. Lovecraft? I haven't but considering this game is based on his creation, I was just wondering.

CrimsonBlue · 08-10-2006, 12:30 AM

I've tried the Xbox version for half an hour or so, and I quite enjoyed the little I played. It never got the attention again, though. But I guess I should get a copy for my PC now. My little brother has been playing it too (little is relative here, he's 18 years old), and he says it's quite good. We often enjoy the same games.

Jolaes · 08-11-2006, 06:30 AM

Hey Melanie,

I have just finished reading The Complete ...blahblah of Lovecraft (3 volumes in Hungarian, incl. letters, essays, reviews - you name it)

and

I can assure you, you'd better read it bit by bit instead of 6 or 7 ass-numbing sitting (that's what I did). Really choking, depressive - nonetheless BRILLIANT novels. Great essays, too.

BTW
I have installed the unoff DCOTE patch because the 2nd half of the game is REALLY frustrating. With a little speed and ammo boost, I got to the underwater city - Dagon was easy to kill but Mother Hydra wears army boots

Not a bad game (all in all) but in my book it is only an ACTION FPS game with a pinch of Lovecraftian nostalgy.

Tobbe · 08-11-2006, 07:15 AM

Started playing CoC yesterday, but only like an half an hour in the game, but it´s seems really good, the opening video, the dialogue and the story is really compelling..

CrimsonBlue · 08-11-2006, 07:53 AM

Played the PC version just now, and holy crap, that spooked me.

Henke · 08-11-2006, 04:03 PM

I've only read one book by H.P. Lovecraft that contained a little over 20 stories and poems. I can really recommend everybody to read it because some of his work are really great.

07-15-2006, 09:26 AM	#1
Henke Headbanger Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: The North Posts: 2,233	One of the best games ever made: Call of Cthulhu, Dark Corners of the Earth Now I completed it and this game goes to my list of the best games I've ever played. Right next to Sanitarium, Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis and Monkey Island 2 among others. It has been a long time since I played a game I enjoyed this much. Thank god that they are still making great games. I really recommend everybody to play it. It got alot of both adventure- and action-elements in the gameplay. Now I mean real adventure-elements like the maincharacter is commenting on things you find and see in the environment and there are real puzzles where you pick up objects and use them on things in the games environment. The story is great with for example diary-entries to read and there are alot of shooting as well that makes your adrenaline pump like never before. Everything works together perfectly. The best thing about it is the scripted sequences that occurs everywhere throughout the game and they are just breathtaking. The old cliché "feels like playing through a movie" has never been more true. __________________ NP: Botanicula, Catherine, Dear Esther, Okami

07-15-2006, 11:13 AM	#2
RLacey The Thread™ will die. Last Online: 07-11-2012 11:25 PM Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 22,542	While I hate the save point system (I happen to be stuck at one place quite early on, and it really annoys me that I have to watch the same, unskippable cutscene every time I die) I can't fault the actual gameplay. For some reason it reminds me of the brief time I spent playing Realms of the Haunting before I put the latter game aside (I'm waiting until I visit an Australian friend to play RotH). Well worth playing. __________________ RLacey \| Killer of the Thread™ I do not change to be perfect. Perfect changes to be me.

07-15-2006, 11:51 AM	#3
Henke Headbanger Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: The North Posts: 2,233	Realms of the Haunting was fairly good too. I remember that beating the bad guy at the end was rather fun. __________________ NP: Botanicula, Catherine, Dear Esther, Okami

07-18-2006, 08:02 PM	#4
TM3 Senior Member Last Online: 01-14-2010 09:30 AM Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 192	Once I get a powerful computer, I'll be sure to give that game a shot. It's good to see an engaging horror game that's not Resident evil-related. __________________ "...And I don't want the world to see me 'Cause I don't think that they'd understand When everything's made to be broken I just want you to know who I am..." "IRIS"-GOO GOO DOLLS

07-30-2006, 11:15 AM	#9
JemyM Senior Member Last Online: 04-07-2012 11:03 AM Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Sweden Posts: 713	CoC: DCotE is a game that magically made fans among the least likely to enjoy a first person 3d shooter. I have a friend who loathed 3d games since they came, especially "brainless shooters", and he loved it. He was even thinking about buying an XBox to play it even if he hates Microsoft... Despite the aged graphics, most reviewers just could not give CoC a bad score, gameplay and story simply makes up for the aged graphics. And even the adventurefans that tried it loved it. It's definitely a "thinker" FPS, to not say "First Person Horror Adventure". And a good plus for actually keeping true to the roleplaying game with the same name. Last edited by JemyM; 08-02-2006 at 07:18 AM..

07-30-2006, 06:35 AM	#6
Spybreaka Junior Member Last Online: 05-17-2012 06:52 AM Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 17	I started playing it a few days ago but had to stop for a while - it was truly scary and the mood kind of depressed me! The first chase scene managed to keep my adrenaline high and my heart thumping no matter how many times I died and replayed it. Truly a masterpiece in horror gaming from what I've played so far!

07-30-2006, 07:32 AM	#7
Roman5 Guest Last Online: 01-01-1970 12:00 AM Posts: n/a	I've never really thought too much about CoC ( ), but I've been seeing things about this game for a while now and it always seemed like a good one. Just been reading reviews from IGN and gamespot who think it's good. Video clips and screenshots do look appetising. Definitely one I want to play!

07-30-2006, 08:18 AM	#8
Helen Member Last Online: 10-20-2007 07:07 PM Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Ohio Posts: 93	Im waiting for my copy to arrive, if you feel this game reminded you of "Realms of the Haunting" then I know Ill love it. IMO ROTH was a brilliant game and one Ill play again.

07-31-2006, 06:48 PM	#10
Bastich Iconoclast Last Online: 04-20-2014 08:51 PM Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: USA Posts: 1,169	I agree with you Henke. I also found CoC to be one of the best games I have ever played, even with its warts. It was probably the single most immersive experience I have ever had with a computer. I have always hated HUDs because I feel they are largely unnecessary for the vast majority of games and this game proved how lame they truly are. I have had a hard time going back to normal games now because the HUDs instantly take me out of the experience. They are a constant and annoying reminder that I am nothing but an outsider looking in through a window at the game world rather than moving about within it. Not to mention the information they provide is worthless 99% of the time they are visible.... Anyway, I loved the vertigo effects, (except when a bug in the game left it on for an entire level in the Marsh refinery), and the action sequences were incredible. That first sequence in the hotel was just pure genius. I felt just as frantic as if I was really there. I haven't felt as much tension playing a game since System Shock 2. I played the entire game with an altered executable so I could get the "arm" option and to remove the film effects for even more immersion. I hope someone takes their lead and develops similar games in the future...

08-01-2006, 04:39 AM	#11
Putrid Moldyman Senior Member Last Online: 12-11-2009 09:25 AM Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 118	I couldn't play all the way through. I really liked the atmosphere of the game at first, but by the end, the game was trying too hard to be Medal of Honor with all of its scripted action sequences, trial and error death sequences, and so on. Again, loved the early portions, but as soon as you hit that bland factory maze with re-spawning enemies, I feel the game takes a nose dive.

08-01-2006, 08:17 AM	#12
bysmitty Bad command or file name Last Online: 04-24-2007 02:08 PM Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: NE Ohio Posts: 932	I've been eyeing this one up for a while now but the lack of cheat codes might just keep me from playing it. Basically, I stink at action games and get easily frustrated with dying over and over again. I can envision myself getting stuck 10 mins into the game and give up in frustration. It looks and sounds like a good game though. ...bysmitty __________________ Things I need to do today: -change out of pajamas -~~come up with witty yet sophisticated signature~~ -sober up -~~watch simpsons at 6pm~~ -UPDATE MY WEBSITE!!!

08-02-2006, 03:51 AM	#14
bysmitty Bad command or file name Last Online: 04-24-2007 02:08 PM Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: NE Ohio Posts: 932	Well I took the plunge last night and picked this one up. I played through the introductory scene and find it fun so far. I'm moving this weekend so it may be a week or two before I can revisit it though. ...bysmitty __________________ Things I need to do today: -change out of pajamas -~~come up with witty yet sophisticated signature~~ -sober up -~~watch simpsons at 6pm~~ -UPDATE MY WEBSITE!!!

08-09-2006, 10:21 PM	#15
Melanie68 Super Moderator Last Online: 05-19-2012 11:09 AM Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Ohio Posts: 8,907	Out of curiosity, has anyone read H.P. Lovecraft? I haven't but considering this game is based on his creation, I was just wondering.

08-10-2006, 12:30 AM	#16
CrimsonBlue Senior Member Last Online: 05-09-2012 10:57 PM Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 1,167	I've tried the Xbox version for half an hour or so, and I quite enjoyed the little I played. It never got the attention again, though. But I guess I should get a copy for my PC now. My little brother has been playing it too (little is relative here, he's 18 years old), and he says it's quite good. We often enjoy the same games.

08-11-2006, 06:30 AM	#17
Jolaes Fire Dragon/Pisces Last Online: 10-09-2010 06:00 AM Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Hungary Posts: 334	Hey Melanie, I have just finished reading The Complete ...blahblah of Lovecraft (3 volumes in Hungarian, incl. letters, essays, reviews - you name it) and I can assure you, you'd better read it bit by bit instead of 6 or 7 ass-numbing sitting (that's what I did). Really choking, depressive - nonetheless BRILLIANT novels. Great essays, too. BTW I have installed the unoff DCOTE patch because the 2nd half of the game is REALLY frustrating. With a little speed and ammo boost, I got to the underwater city - Dagon was easy to kill but Mother Hydra wears army boots Not a bad game (all in all) but in my book it is only an ACTION FPS game with a pinch of Lovecraftian nostalgy. __________________ *Ita in vita ut in lusu alae pessima iactura arte corrigenda est.*

08-11-2006, 07:15 AM	#18
Tobbe Living with my love Last Online: 02-14-2013 09:53 AM Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Finland Posts: 1,453	Started playing CoC yesterday, but only like an half an hour in the game, but it´s seems really good, the opening video, the dialogue and the story is really compelling.. __________________ ''My names George. It means... Well, its just a name'' George Stobbart-Broken Sword

08-11-2006, 07:53 AM	#19
CrimsonBlue Senior Member Last Online: 05-09-2012 10:57 PM Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 1,167	Played the PC version just now, and holy crap, that spooked me.

08-11-2006, 04:03 PM	#20
Henke Headbanger Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: The North Posts: 2,233	I've only read one book by H.P. Lovecraft that contained a little over 20 stories and poems. I can really recommend everybody to read it because some of his work are really great. __________________ NP: Botanicula, Catherine, Dear Esther, Okami