Discover the Dark Secrets of Stygian: Outer Gods – Is It Worth Your Time?

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At long last, the Outer Gods game has debuted in early access, offering a tantalizing glimpse into the terrifying entities we’ll soon encounter – an experience that is both chilling and unnerving, whether pleasantly so or not.

Eldritch games provide an innovative take on the traditional survival horror genre. Rather than relying on sudden jolts or startling moments, these games delve into the psychological aspects of fear, sanity, vulnerability, and present settings that are undeniably macabre and not suitable for postcards.

In Stygian: Outer Gods, you’ll find a rich universe with plenty more to discover, providing a (regrettably brief) glimpse into what’s to come during its early access phase. As the game progresses, you’ll embark on an exciting journey filled with imminent danger and the occasional encounter with irritation due to its control scheme, audio quality, and overall duration.

Stygian: Outer Gods screenshots

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What is Stygian: Outer Gods about?

As Jack, a previous anthropologist and solider, you’re suddenly pulled out of your familiar life and find yourself in Kingsport, a spooky town that had once piqued the curiosity of your missing father and is now the center of attention for your old friend Victoria. She manages to convince you to embark on an expedition with her, which she’s leading at present.

Fundamentally, Stygian: Outer Gods embodies a solitary player’s survival-horror RPG experience, evocative of the Call of Cthulhu tabletop role-playing game, the atmosphere of H.P. Lovecraft’s works, and games similar to The Sinking City.

As a gamer, I find myself on a thrilling quest: unraveling the enigma behind my father’s vanishing, while bracing for the impending catastrophe known as Black Day. This calamitous event brings with it the sinister denizens of Kingsport, ensnared in their own eldritch mythos, threatening our very existence.

As you navigate through this game, you’ll encounter challenges such as solving puzzles, battling monsters, and maintaining your resources carefully to stay alive – all while avoiding both death and madness. However, despite its intriguing idea, Stygian: Outer Gods falls short in the execution department.

Unsettling in story and gameplay

Generally speaking, the eerie quality of the Outer Gods remains consistent. From the beginning, it’s made clear that you and your small knife offer little defense against the inhabitants of Kingsport, forcing you to move stealthily within the town until you manage to amass power.

Regrettably, the enjoyable narrative journey was often marred by underwhelming role-playing game (RPG) mechanics embedded within it. The attacks lacked fluidity, regardless of the weapon used, and movements sometimes felt awkward with occasional stutters due to frame rate issues. Stealth was average at best and didn’t offer much concealment, while the character’s speed during running sequences was relatively sluggish.

It’s not reasonable to assume that everyone will excel like an Olympic athlete; however, when things become challenging or dangerous, the underlying principle of anything related to Cthulhu is to keep moving forward. In a place like Stygian, it’s often too late to comprehend the monster you overlooked before it’s already too late for you.

Maintaining your mental stability is crucial during exploration, as it helps in filtering out distractions like voices in your mind, allowing a peaceful yet ominous soundtrack to accompany your journeys. Remember, you’re always vigilant, scanning for potential dangers, even when there seem none present at first glance.

On the contrary, the disquieting aspect of Outer Gods also applies to another significant issue: its audio quality.

As the game starts, you find yourself inside Jack’s apartment. The eerie sound of a ticking clock and the calming crackle of a fire quickly draw you in. Both Jack and Victoria take time to ponder their thoughts and emotions.

Yet, as you enter Kingsport, the boundaries seem to blur. Certain dialogues are spoken while others remain silent, resulting in an uneven encounter that occasionally feels disjointed. I find myself yearning for a more comprehensive, fully-voiced interaction with every NPC, like the one offered in Fallout games. Although there aren’t many NPCs during the initial six hours of gameplay, when they did speak, the immersion and eerie atmosphere intensified significantly.

An atmospheric ode to Cthulhu

Outer Gods truly excels in creating an eerie ambiance that leaves you on edge, as if threats lurk at every turn, and they frequently do. The challenges are engagingly difficult to solve, and each element seems shrouded in enigma.

Frequently, you stumble upon a mysterious locked door, leading you on a hunt far and wide for the necessary key. Along the way, you may unearth unsettling practices and offerings that hint at hidden secrets.

For someone who’s fond of Call of Cthulhu and everything associated with Lovecraft, playing Stygian: Outer Gods is like experiencing a heartfelt revival of the eerie and bizarre. The game masterfully infuses a persistent unease and a challenging voyage in every aspect.

Although the narrative seems somewhat underdeveloped at present, the early-access phase offers plenty of opportunities for further expansion and enrichment.

Is it worth it?

Outer Gods” is a game that hardcore Cthulhu enthusiasts would find appealing. However, during its early access phase, it might not be as refined or accessible for those who are less familiar with the theme to fully enjoy.

As an RPG enthusiast, the experience fell short of my expectations. Its ambiance is fantastic, but being a horror aficionado, I was yearning for more spine-tingling moments. Yet, as a Call of Cthulhu Keeper, it resonated with me and showcased the eerie aesthetic that every excellent eldritch game should possess.

If you’re seeking a quick thrill with an assurance of enhancement, Stygian: Outer Gods could be just the game for you.

Since this game is still in its early release phase (early access), we’ll be revising our review and assigning a final score once it officially launches. At the moment, due to ongoing updates, the game’s quality might change, so keep an eye out for future updates on our review!

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2025-04-11 16:21