REVIEW / Insights Gained: Cult of the Elizabeth (PC)

Lesson Learned: Cult of the Elizabeth doesn’t hold back. While its visuals might appear endearing, don’t be deceived; this tower defense game is packed with relentless action and some unnervingly creepy bird creatures. What captures my interest in any game is its visual appeal, and right from the start, Cult of the Elizabeth grabbed my attention. Initially, I was slightly concerned it might be a mere imitation of Don’t Starve, which is one of my all-time favorites, given the similarly styled art and music. But, it took just a few minutes of gameplay for that worry to vanish. This peculiar world clearly has its own unique flair.

In Cult of the Elizabeth, you can choose between playing solo or teaming up in co-op mode, as Amelia and her classmates embark on a quest to escape a nightmarish world. Personally, I found the solo mode a bit lacking, primarily due to the excessive time required to gather resources and upgrade towers. Usually, I enjoy foraging for rocks or cutting down trees as a breather from combat, but here, it turned into an unnecessarily long grind. It was quite challenging to build up defenses effectively. Though I’m not a combat expert, even on the easiest setting, the relentless avian minions overran me, and my AI sidekick didn’t offer much help. Micromanaging its tasks was the last thing I wanted—I already juggle enough responsibilities in my daily life!

Resource collection might be tedious, but the core gameplay holds its ground. The combat mechanics are straightforward yet precise. You can’t just fire randomly and hope to succeed; precise timing and strategy are essential to keeping the creepy critters at bay and your defenses intact. Deciding where to place your towers as resources dwindle and more monsters emerge can greatly impact your survival. The enemies’ attack patterns are largely predictable and not overly difficult, but when a horde of turkey-like monsters dressed like Tudor royalty storms your camp, things escalate quite quickly.

Interestingly, this is one of those PC games that comes recommended for controller use. Personally, I had no trouble with keyboard controls, but that might change as the game progresses and introduces more complex challenges—something I’ll have to revisit later.

Overall, Lesson Learned: Cult of the Elizabeth has left a favorable impression on me. While it still feels somewhat basic, there’s potential for much more if developers expand the storyline and refine some mechanics to add a dynamic edge. With a few tweaks, there’s ample opportunity for replayability. For now, the prologue is available for free on Steam. If you’re eager for a glimpse into this quirky adventure, it’s worth giving a try.

Rating Breakdown:

• Gameplay: 7.5/10
• Plot/Writing: 6.5/10
• Design/Visuals: 9/10
• Overall: 7.7/10

Summary: An intriguing blend of genres

Pros:

• Whimsical, gothic art style that complements the storyline
• A soundtrack that cleverly combines lighthearted and dark melodies
• A balanced mix of combat and exploration within an atmospheric setting

Cons:

• Resource collection can become repetitive
• Enemy patterns are predictable and not particularly challenging