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{{Short description|2022 video game}} | {{Short description|2022 video game}} | ||
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2024}} | |||
{{Infobox video game | {{Infobox video game | ||
| title |
| title = Cult of the Lamb | ||
| image |
| image = Cult of the Lamb Key Art.png | ||
| caption |
| caption = | ||
| developer |
| developer = Massive Monster | ||
| publisher |
| publisher = ] | ||
| director |
| director = Julian Wilton<!-- Creative director --> | ||
| designer = Jay Armstrong<!-- Design director --> | |||
| programmer = {{Unbulleted list|Jay Armstrong|Harrison Gibbins|William Mesilane|Julian Wilton|Paul Kopetko|Matthew Roland}} | |||
| artist |
| artist = James Pearmain <!-- Art director --> | ||
| writer |
| writer = {{Unbulleted list|JoJo Zhou|Jay Armstrong}}<!-- Story --> | ||
| composer = River Boy | |||
| composer = River Boy (Narayana Johnson)<ref>{{Cite web|last=Hobday|first=Liz|url=https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/7843249/composers-and-game-makers-hit-high-score/|title=Composers and game makers hit high score|website=]|publisher=]|date=1 August 2022|access-date=26 August 2022}}</ref> | |||
| engine |
| engine = ]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://blog.unity.com/games/made-with-unity-2022-in-review|title=Made with Unity: 2022 in review|last=Saver|first=Michael|work=]|date=December 27, 2022|accessdate=July 31, 2023}}</ref> | ||
| platforms |
| platforms = {{ubl|]|]|]|]|]|]|]}} | ||
| released |
| released = August 11, 2022 | ||
| genre |
| genre = ], ] | ||
| modes |
| modes = ], ] | ||
}} | }} | ||
'''''Cult of the Lamb''''' is a ] ] developed by ] developer Massive Monster and published by ]. The game was released on |
'''''Cult of the Lamb''''' is a ] ] developed by ] developer Massive Monster and published by ]. The game was released on August 11, 2022, for ], ], ], ], ], ], and ]. The game follows a lamb who is saved from death by a god-like stranger named "The One Who Waits", and must repay their debt by creating a loyal cult in its name. | ||
''Cult of the Lamb'' received generally positive reviews from critics upon release, with praise directed towards its gameplay and replay value. It received three nominations at the ], including ]. | ''Cult of the Lamb'' received generally positive reviews from critics upon release, with praise directed towards its gameplay and replay value. It received three nominations at the ], including ]. | ||
==Gameplay== | ==Gameplay== | ||
''Cult of the Lamb'' is centered around a lamb who is tasked with forming a |
''Cult of the Lamb'' is centered around a lamb, controlled by the player, who is tasked with forming a cult in order to appease the deity "The One Who Waits". Having saved the player character's life at the start of the game, it instructs them to embark on ]-style "]" by venturing out into one of the game's four regions in order to defeat various enemies (so-called "heretics"). There they can find or rescue other captured or lost animals in order to create and grow a cult following dedicated to the player.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gematsu.com/2022/06/cult-of-the-lamb-launches-august-11|title=Cult of the Lamb launches August 11|last=Romano|first=Sal|website=Gematsu|date=June 9, 2022|access-date=June 30, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/features/gaming-features/cult-of-the-lamb-is-happy-tree-friends-meets-midsommar-and-it-just-might-be-your-new-favourite-game-3207717|title='Cult Of The Lamb' is 'Happy Tree Friends' meets 'Midsommar' – and it just might be your new favorite game|last=Regan|first=Tom|website=]|date=April 19, 2022|access-date=June 30, 2022}}</ref> The randomly generated world contains resources to gather, perks and weapons to collect, enemies in the form of rival cultists and non-believers to fight, and other animals to rescue; these animals can be ] into the player's cult. They have appearances that can be changed and both positive and negative traits, which can affect how they act in the cult or how they react to the player's actions regarding the cult.<ref name=":0">{{cite web|url=https://ftw.usatoday.com/2022/06/cult-of-the-lamb-preview|title=Cult of the Lamb is set to be the next big indie hit|last=McKeand|first=Kirk|website=]|date=June 24, 2022|access-date=June 30, 2022}}</ref> | ||
The player can manage their followers in their |
The player can manage their followers in their team's village. Followers can be assigned tasks at the base such as gathering resources, building structures, worshipping, sending them to assist the player in battle, or ] them, which can affect the player's abilities and the team itself.<ref name=":0" /> The player must ensure their followers' needs are met by performing ]s and ]s to reinforce their faith, cooking food for them to survive, providing them with shelter, and ensuring the village is clean and sanitary.<ref name="Eurogamer">{{Cite web|last=Donlan|first=Christian|title=Cult of the Lamb review - a genre mash-up with a lot of ideas|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/cult-of-the-lamb-review-a-genre-mash-up-with-a-lot-of-ideas|access-date=August 13, 2022|website=]|date=August 10, 2022}}</ref> Otherwise, the followers can turn against the player, spread dissent, and eventually leave the cult with other followers; to prevent this, the player can provide for them, give them gifts, reeducate them, or detain them in a ] until they stop dissenting.<ref>{{cite web |last=Nicholas |first=Heidi |date=April 30, 2022 |title=Interview: Cult of the Lamb will let you 'sacrifice naughty followers' |url=https://www.trueachievements.com/n49415/cult-of-the-lamb |access-date=June 30, 2022 |website=]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://games.mxdwn.com/news/cult-of-the-lamb-demo-released-during-steam-next-fest/|title=Cult of the Lamb Demo Released During Steam Next Fest|last=Smith|first=Nathan|website=mxdwn.com|date=June 16, 2022|access-date=June 30, 2022}}</ref> | ||
===Twitch integration=== | ===Twitch integration=== | ||
The game has ] integration via the "Companion of the Lamb" Twitch extension.<ref name="Lamb Twitch">{{Cite web|url=https://dotesports.com/indies/news/cult-of-the-lamb-to-have-twitch-integration-that-allows-viewers-to-interact-with-the-streamers-playthrough|title=Cult of the Lamb to have Twitch integration that allows viewers to interact with the streamer's playthrough|last=Harrison|first=Christian|website=]|date= |
The game has ] integration via the "Companion of the Lamb" Twitch extension.<ref name="Lamb Twitch">{{Cite web|url=https://dotesports.com/indies/news/cult-of-the-lamb-to-have-twitch-integration-that-allows-viewers-to-interact-with-the-streamers-playthrough|title=Cult of the Lamb to have Twitch integration that allows viewers to interact with the streamer's playthrough|last=Harrison|first=Christian|website=]|date=August 2, 2022|access-date=August 26, 2022}}</ref> Viewers can customize their follower by entering via a "Follower Raffle", which (when chosen at random) will have their username displayed above their character at all times.<ref name="Lamb Twitch"/> Other features include the "Twitch Totem Bar" which lets viewers contribute channel points, resulting in a random reward for the player, and a "Help or Hinder" event where they can vote to either help or hinder the player's progress.<ref name="Lamb Twitch"/> | ||
==Plot== | ==Plot== | ||
In a land of ]s, |
In a land of ]s, The Lamb, supposedly the last of their kind, is brought before The Four Bishops of the Old Faith, and is sacrificed before them. Upon dying, The Lamb is brought before "The One Who Waits", a strange deity who is imprisoned in chains. The One Who Waits tasks The Lamb with starting a cult in its name, gives The Lamb a demonic crown, then resurrects it.<ref name="Polygon">{{Cite web|last=Hashimoto|first=Kazuma|title=Cult of the Lamb is that rare game: a fun critique of organized religion|url=https://www.polygon.com/reviews/23298775/cult-of-the-lamb-review-roguelite-action-adventure-rpg-devolver-digital|access-date=August 13, 2022|website=]|date=August 10, 2022}}</ref> | ||
Assisted by Ratau, The Lamb's precursor, The Lamb |
Assisted by Ratau, The Lamb's precursor, The Lamb settles at the ruins of a temple and establishes a cult on behalf of The One Who Waits, in order to defeat the four other Bishops – Leshy, Heket, Kallamar, and Shamura – and free it. After settling down into their cult, The Lamb adventures off on crusades, defeating each of the Four Bishops while simultaneously expanding the cult with followers, increasing its influence and The Lamb's powers. With the death of each Bishop, one of the four chains holding The One Who Waits breaks, ultimately freeing the deity. While crusading, the Four Bishops and The One Who Waits speak to The Lamb in different encounters. | ||
As The Lamb progressively gets closer to their ultimate goal, The One Who Waits informs The Lamb that the Four Bishops had betrayed and imprisoned him, and that he intends to ultimately rule the cult and the world while remaking them in his image. |
As The Lamb progressively gets closer to their ultimate goal, The One Who Waits informs The Lamb that the Four Bishops had betrayed and imprisoned him, and that he intends to ultimately rule the cult and the world while remaking them in his image. During The Lamb's crusade against Shamura, Shamura reveals the identity of The One Who Waits: "Narinder". Shamura informs The Lamb that Narinder was the Fifth Bishop of the Old Faith, and their brother and equal, having ruled over the realm of Death. Shamura laments to The Lamb, confessing that millennia before, Narinder had grown ambitious and was discontent with his role as a Bishop. Shamura, blinded by their love for Narinder, had tried to help him by teaching him ideas of change, although Shamura's teachings were "most unnatural" for Narinder, as Shamura stated. Ultimately, Narinder betrayed the Bishops, which forced Shamura and the others to imprison him. Before the final battle, Shamura warns The Lamb that Narinder will come for them when all of the Bishops are dead. | ||
After Shamura is defeated, The One Who Waits instructs The Lamb to visit him in his realm to return the demonic crown and to be sacrificed in his name. |
After Shamura is defeated, The One Who Waits instructs The Lamb to visit him in his realm to return the demonic crown and to be sacrificed in his name. The Lamb opens the final gateway and goes before The One Who Waits. The Lamb is instructed to kneel and be sacrificed, so that The One Who Waits can retake his crown and obtain his place as god of the world. The player is given the option to sacrifice themselves to fulfill the prophecy or reject doing so. If the player accepts, The One Who Waits is freed, and subsequently tortures The Lamb before killing it, ending the game. | ||
If the player accepts, The One Who Waits is freed, and subsequently tortures The Lamb before killing it, ending the game. | |||
If the player refuses, a final battle ensues between The Lamb and The One Who Waits's followers, Baal and Aym. Once the followers are defeated, The One Who Waits attempts to kill The Lamb himself. After the first defeat, The One Who Waits taunts The Lamb and transforms while pulling The Lamb into a hellscape, attempting to kill them in front of their followers a second time. If The Lamb defeats The One Who Waits again, it is stripped of its powers and transforms into a follower-like creature named Narinder. Narinder |
If the player refuses, a final battle ensues between The Lamb and The One Who Waits's followers, Baal and Aym. Once the followers are defeated, The One Who Waits attempts to kill The Lamb himself. After the first defeat, The One Who Waits taunts The Lamb and transforms while pulling The Lamb into a hellscape, attempting to kill them in front of their followers a second time. If The Lamb defeats The One Who Waits again, it is stripped of its powers and transforms into a follower-like creature named Narinder. Narinder admits defeat and resents The Lamb, and the player is given the option to spare Narinder or murder him. If the player chooses to kill Narinder, Narinder claims that The Lamb is no different than he was before he is subsequently killed. If the player chooses to spare Narinder, Narinder can be indoctrinated into the cult as an immortal follower, and insults The Lamb for being weak. Either option results in The Lamb's followers being rescued and The Lamb returning to their cult, and the game ends. | ||
In the post-game, the Lamb |
In the post-game, the Lamb encounters an entity that calls itself the Merchant of Eternity and the Meter of Gods. The entity asks to face the bosses again and release the Bishops into the afterlife to indoctrinate them. He asks for items called God Tears. For each freed Bishop he reveals to the Lamb the past of the gods. After resurrecting them all he gives a statue or follower to the Lamb. | ||
==Development== | ==Development== | ||
{{Redirect|Massive Monster|the game show|Massive Monster Mayhem|the music festival|Monster Massive}} | {{Redirect|Massive Monster|the game show|Massive Monster Mayhem|the music festival|Monster Massive}} | ||
''Cult of the Lamb'' is developed by Massive Monster, an Australian independent game development studio that has |
''Cult of the Lamb'' is developed by Massive Monster, an Australian independent game development studio that has created '']'',<ref name="Washington Post">{{Cite news |last=Stanley |first=Alyse |date=August 11, 2022 |title='Cult of the Lamb' is cute, but it didn't make me a convert |newspaper=] |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/video-games/reviews/cult-of-the-lamb-review/ |access-date=August 13, 2022 |issn=0190-8286}}</ref> '']'', and ''Unicycle Giraffe''. Much of their early work had been commercial failures.<ref name="paxaus">{{cite web |title=PAX Aus: Massive Monster's Julian Wilton on Cult of the Lamb |url=https://www.gameshub.com/news/features/julian-wilton-cult-of-the-lamb-pax-aus-keynote-2646259/ |website=www.gameshub.com |language=en-AU |date=October 15, 2024}}</ref> | ||
Because of the cute art style used in these games, there had been a perception that the studio was catering to children, and opted to go in a different direction for their next game, looking towards themes of horror and the occult. They planned to make a ] dungeon crawler along with base building, but the premise was uncertain and evolved over the course of development.<ref name="gibiz dev">{{cite web | url = https://www.gamesindustry.biz/combining-cute-with-the-occult-in-cult-of-the-lamb | title = Combining cute with the occult in Cult of the Lamb | first = Danielle | last = Partis | date = October 5, 2022 | accessdate = November 23, 2023 | work = ] }}</ref> It originally featured a lamb god who had been kicked out of a pantheon over a lack of popularity, and had to rebuild his following on earth. The next revision featured the lamb running hell, but the team did not want to include torture as a theme too heavily. The premise of the lamb instead running a cult proved more popular with the team, and this line of thinking secured the publishing deal with Devolver Digital.<ref name="paxaus"/> | |||
⚫ | Additional funding for development was provided through ]'s Victorian Production Fund.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://vicscreen.vic.gov.au/news/phenomenal-digital-games-are-being-made-in-melbourne|title=Phenomenal digital games are being made in Melbourne|last=Mackenzie|first=Emma|website=]|date= |
||
⚫ | Additional funding for development was provided through ]'s Victorian Production Fund.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://vicscreen.vic.gov.au/news/phenomenal-digital-games-are-being-made-in-melbourne|title=Phenomenal digital games are being made in Melbourne|last=Mackenzie|first=Emma|website=]|date=August 10, 2022|access-date=August 19, 2022}}</ref> ''Cult of the Lamb'' was announced at ] in August 2021 and was released on August 11, 2022.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.gameinformer.com/gamescom-2021/2021/08/25/cult-of-the-lamb-unveiled-in-a-trailer-thats-equal-parts-fluffy-and-freaky|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210825235546/https://www.gameinformer.com/gamescom-2021/2021/08/25/cult-of-the-lamb-unveiled-in-a-trailer-thats-equal-parts-fluffy-and-freaky|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 25, 2021|title=Cult Of The Lamb Unveiled In A Trailer That's Equal Parts Fluffy and Freaky|last=Grodt|first=Jill|magazine=]|publisher=]|date=August 25, 2021|access-date=August 25, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://gamerant.com/cult-of-the-lamb-release-date-announced/|title=Cult of the Lamb Release Date Announced|last=Ferdinand|first=Pam|website=Game Rant|date=June 10, 2022|access-date=June 30, 2022}}</ref> | ||
⚫ | |||
===Post release updates=== | |||
Two waves of free major post-release content updates to the game are planned.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hermitgamer.com/cult-of-the-lamb-will-receive-two-free-dlcs-in-2023/|title=Cult of the Lamb will Receive Two Free DLCs in 2023|last=Moklyak|first=Yaroslav|website=Hermit Gamer|date=21 January 2023|access-date=21 January 2023}}</ref> The first wave, titled ''Relics of the Old Faith'', was released on 24 April 2023 and added a new post-game storyline with a new crusade campaign, a photo-mode, and additions and enhancements to the game's combat and cult management mechanics.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.shacknews.com/article/135135/cult-of-the-lamb-old-faith-release-date|title=Cult of the Lamb's Relics of the Old Faith update arrives this month|last=Erskine|first=Donovan|website=Shack News|date=19 April 2023|access-date=19 April 2023}}</ref> The second ''Sins of the Flesh'', is planned for release in early 2024.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.ign.com/articles/cult-of-the-lamb-to-get-significant-free-sins-of-the-flesh-update-in-2024 | title = Cult of the Lamb to Get Significant Free Sins of the Flesh Update in 2024 | first =Wesley | last = Yin-Poole | date = November 24, 2023 | accessdate = November 24, 2023 | work = ] }}</ref> | |||
After the game's launch, it received several major content updates. These were sometimes billed as DLCs or expansions in marketing material, though they were all free updates.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hermitgamer.com/cult-of-the-lamb-will-receive-two-free-dlcs-in-2023/|title=Cult of the Lamb will Receive Two Free DLCs in 2023|last=Moklyak|first=Yaroslav|website=Hermit Gamer|date=January 21, 2023|access-date=January 21, 2023}}</ref> | |||
⚫ | *''Blood Moon Festival'' (October 24, 2022) added the blood moon ritual and various cosmetic items.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.gameinformer.com/2022/10/25/cult-of-the-lamb-blood-moon-festival-update-adds-new-ritual-followers-and-more|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221025124527/https://www.gameinformer.com/2022/10/25/cult-of-the-lamb-blood-moon-festival-update-adds-new-ritual-followers-and-more|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 25, 2022|title=Cult Of The Lamb: Blood Moon Festival Update Adds New Ritual, Followers, and More|last=LeBlanc|first=Wesley|magazine=]|date=October 25, 2022|access-date=October 25, 2022}}</ref> | ||
⚫ | |||
*''Relics of the Old Faith'' (April 24, 2023) added a post-game storyline with a crusade campaign, a photo-mode, and additions and enhancements to the game's combat and cult management mechanics.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.shacknews.com/article/135135/cult-of-the-lamb-old-faith-release-date|title=Cult of the Lamb's Relics of the Old Faith update arrives this month|last=Erskine|first=Donovan|website=Shack News|date=April 19, 2023|access-date=April 19, 2023}}</ref> | |||
⚫ | *''Don't Starve Together'' (August 21, 2023) added penitence mode, in addition to crossover content from ]'s ].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/videos/cult-of-the-lamb-x-dont-starve-together-official-collaboration-update-launch-trailer|title=Cult of the Lamb x Don't Starve Together - Official Collaboration Update Launch Trailer|website=]|date=August 21, 2023|access-date=August 21, 2023}}</ref> | ||
*''Sins of the Flesh'' (January 16, 2024) added a sin mechanic, more doctrines, a new blunderbuss weapon, more cosmetics, and a breeding system.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.ign.com/articles/cult-of-the-lamb-to-get-significant-free-sins-of-the-flesh-update-in-2024 | title = Cult of the Lamb to Get Significant Free Sins of the Flesh Update in 2024 | first =Wesley | last = Yin-Poole | date = November 24, 2023 | accessdate = November 24, 2023 | work = ] }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.polygon.com/24027054/cult-of-the-lamb-sex-free-update-sins-of-the-flesh-release-date | title = Cult of the Lamb's 'sex update' is finally coming | first = Nicole | last = Clark | date = January 8, 2024 | accessdate = January 8, 2024 | work = ] }}</ref> | |||
*''Unholy Alliance'' (August 12, 2024) added two-player cooperative play to the game, with the second player playing the Goat alongside the Lamb. The update also expanded the game's weapons, powers, and buildable items.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.polygon.com/24171278/cult-of-the-lamb-unholy-alliance-update-goat-multiplayer-co-op | title = Cult of the Lamb is getting multiplayer co-op — and a goat | first = Nicole | last = Carpenter | date = June 7, 2024 | accessdate = June 7, 2024 | work = ] }}</ref> | |||
===DLC=== | |||
Several paid ] packs have been made available. | |||
*''Cultist Pack'' (August 11, 2022) adds follower forms, outfits and decorations.<ref>{{cite web |title=Cult of the Lamb: Cultist Pack on Steam |url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/2015880/Cult_of_the_Lamb_Cultist_Pack/ |website=store.steampowered.com |language=en}}</ref> | |||
*''Heretic Pack'' (April 24, 2023) adds follower forms, outfits and decorations.<ref>{{cite web |title=Cult of the Lamb: Heretic Pack on Steam |url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/2331540/Cult_of_the_Lamb_Heretic_Pack/ |website=store.steampowered.com |language=en}}</ref> | |||
*''Sinful Pack'' (January 12, 2024) adds follower forms, outfits and decorations.<ref>{{cite web |title=Cult of the Lamb: Sinful Pack on Steam |url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/2646130/Cult_of_the_Lamb_Sinful_Pack/ |website=store.steampowered.com |language=en}}</ref> | |||
*''Pilgrim Pack'' (August 12, 2024) adds a digital comic book and numerous cosmetic items related to the new story.<ref>{{cite web |title=Cult of the Lamb: Pilgrim Pack on Steam |url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/2890190/Cult_of_the_Lamb_Pilgrim_Pack/ |website=store.steampowered.com |language=en}}</ref> | |||
On March 12, 2024, a graphic novel adaptation of the game entitled ''The First Verse'' was launched on ], written by ] and ], published by ]. The crowdfunding target was reached in six minutes.<ref>{{cite web|last=Williams|first=Leah J.|url=https://www.gameshub.com/news/news/cult-of-the-lamb-the-first-verse-graphic-novel-funded-2637942/|title=Cult of the Lamb: The First Verse graphic novel funded in 6 minutes|publisher=Games Hub|date=March 13, 2024|access-date=March 13, 2024}}</ref> | |||
==Soundtrack== | |||
The game's original soundtrack was composed by River Boy, and was made available for purchase on the Steam page on launch day.<ref>{{cite web |title=Cult of the Lamb Soundtrack on Steam |url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/2015890/Cult_of_the_Lamb_Soundtrack/?curator_clanid=41116610 |website=store.steampowered.com |language=en}}</ref> It is also available on River Boy's ] page.<ref>{{cite web |title=Cult of the Lamb (Original Soundtrack), by River Boy |url=https://riverboyofficial.bandcamp.com/album/cult-of-the-lamb-original-soundtrack |website=River Boy |language=en}}</ref> | |||
On October 21, 2024, an ] (titled ''Hymns of the Unholy'') was announced by Massive Monster containing metal remixes of songs from the soundtrack by Pick Up Goliath, featuring current and former members of ], ], ], ] and more.<ref> NME. October 21, 2024. Retrieved October 21, 2024.</ref> | |||
==Reception== | ==Reception== | ||
{{Video game reviews | {{Video game reviews | ||
| MC = NS: 79/100<ref name="MCNS">{{Cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/cult-of-the-lamb/critic-reviews/?platform=nintendo-switch|title=Cult of the Lamb for Switch Reviews|website=]|access-date= |
| MC = NS: 79/100<ref name="MCNS">{{Cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/cult-of-the-lamb/critic-reviews/?platform=nintendo-switch|title=Cult of the Lamb for Switch Reviews|website=]|access-date=October 20, 2022}}</ref><br/>PC: 82/100<ref name="MCPC">{{Cite web|title=Cult of the Lamb for PC Reviews|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/cult-of-the-lamb/critic-reviews/?platform=pc|website=]|access-date=September 15, 2022}}</ref><br/>PS5: 86/100<ref name="MCPS5">{{Cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/cult-of-the-lamb/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-5|title=Cult of the Lamb for PlayStation 5 Reviews|website=]|access-date=October 20, 2022}}</ref><br/>XSXS: 88/100<ref name="MCXSXS">{{Cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/cult-of-the-lamb/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-series-x|title=Cult of the Lamb for Xbox Series X Reviews|website=]|access-date=November 3, 2022}}</ref> | ||
| Destruct = 8.5/10<ref name="Destruct">{{Cite web|last=Devore|first=Jordan|title=Review: Cult of the Lamb|url=https://www.destructoid.com/reviews/review-cult-of-the-lamb-pc-version-town-builder-action-roguelite/|access-date= |
| Destruct = 8.5/10<ref name="Destruct">{{Cite web|last=Devore|first=Jordan|title=Review: Cult of the Lamb|url=https://www.destructoid.com/reviews/review-cult-of-the-lamb-pc-version-town-builder-action-roguelite/|access-date=August 13, 2022|website=]|date=August 10, 2022}}</ref> | ||
| EGM = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref name="EGM">{{Cite magazine|last=Goroff|first=Michael|url=https://egmnow.com/cult-of-the-lamb-review/|title=Cult of the Lamb review|magazine=]|publisher=EGM Media, LLC|date= |
| EGM = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref name="EGM">{{Cite magazine|last=Goroff|first=Michael|url=https://egmnow.com/cult-of-the-lamb-review/|title=Cult of the Lamb review|magazine=]|publisher=EGM Media, LLC|date=August 10, 2022|access-date=August 26, 2022}}</ref> | ||
| GI = 8/10<ref name="GI">{{Cite magazine|last=LeBlanc|first=Wesley|title=Cult of the Lamb Review|url=https://www.gameinformer.com/review/cult-of-the-lamb/follow-the-leader| |
| GI = 8/10<ref name="GI">{{Cite magazine|last=LeBlanc|first=Wesley|title=Cult of the Lamb Review|url=https://www.gameinformer.com/review/cult-of-the-lamb/follow-the-leader|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220810165206/https://www.gameinformer.com/review/cult-of-the-lamb/follow-the-leader|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 10, 2022|access-date=August 26, 2022|magazine=]|publisher=]|date=August 10, 2022}}</ref> | ||
| GameRev = {{Rating|9|10}}<ref name="GameRev">{{Cite web|last=Ashworth|first=Mack|url=https://www.gamerevolution.com/review/712376-cult-of-the-lamb-review-pc-ps5-ps4-xbox-worth-buying|title=Cult of the Lamb Review: 'Animal Crossing Gone Evil'|website=]|date= |
| GameRev = {{Rating|9|10}}<ref name="GameRev">{{Cite web|last=Ashworth|first=Mack|url=https://www.gamerevolution.com/review/712376-cult-of-the-lamb-review-pc-ps5-ps4-xbox-worth-buying|title=Cult of the Lamb Review: 'Animal Crossing Gone Evil'|website=]|date=August 10, 2022|access-date=August 26, 2022}}</ref> | ||
| GSpot = 9/10<ref name="GameSpot"/> | | GSpot = 9/10<ref name="GameSpot"/> | ||
| IGN = 8/10<ref name="IGN">{{Cite web|last=Marks|first=Tom|title=Cult of the Lamb Review|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/cult-of-the-lamb-review|access-date= |
| IGN = 8/10<ref name="IGN">{{Cite web|last=Marks|first=Tom|title=Cult of the Lamb Review|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/cult-of-the-lamb-review|access-date=August 13, 2022|website=]|date=August 10, 2022}}</ref> | ||
| NLife = {{Rating|8|10}}<ref name="NLife">{{Cite web|last=Vogel|first=Mitch|title=Cult of the Lamb Review (Switch eShop)|url=https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/switch-eshop/cult-of-the-lamb|access-date= |
| NLife = {{Rating|8|10}}<ref name="NLife">{{Cite web|last=Vogel|first=Mitch|title=Cult of the Lamb Review (Switch eShop)|url=https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/switch-eshop/cult-of-the-lamb|access-date=August 26, 2022|website=]|date=August 17, 2022}}</ref> | ||
| PCGUS = 82/100<ref name="PCGUS">{{Cite web|last=Kemp|first=Luke|title=Cult of the Lamb review|url=https://www.pcgamer.com/cult-of-the-lamb-review/|access-date= |
| PCGUS = 82/100<ref name="PCGUS">{{Cite web|last=Kemp|first=Luke|title=Cult of the Lamb review|url=https://www.pcgamer.com/cult-of-the-lamb-review/|access-date=August 26, 2022|website=]|publisher=]|date=August 10, 2022}}</ref> | ||
| PSQ = {{Rating|8|10}}<ref name="PSQ">{{Cite web|last=McCormick|first=John Cal|url=https://www.pushsquare.com/reviews/ps5/cult-of-the-lamb|title=Cult of the Lamb Review (PS5)|website=]|date= |
| PSQ = {{Rating|8|10}}<ref name="PSQ">{{Cite web|last=McCormick|first=John Cal|url=https://www.pushsquare.com/reviews/ps5/cult-of-the-lamb|title=Cult of the Lamb Review (PS5)|website=]|date=August 14, 2022|access-date=August 26, 2022}}</ref> | ||
| SN = 8/10<ref name="SN">{{Cite web|last=Bell|first=Larryn|url=https://www.shacknews.com/article/131775/cult-of-the-lamb-review|title=Cult of the Lamb review: Lamb Almighty|website=]|date= |
| SN = 8/10<ref name="SN">{{Cite web|last=Bell|first=Larryn|url=https://www.shacknews.com/article/131775/cult-of-the-lamb-review|title=Cult of the Lamb review: Lamb Almighty|website=]|date=August 10, 2022|access-date=August 26, 2022}}</ref> | ||
| TG = {{Rating|5|5}}<ref name="TG">{{Cite web|last=Griffin|first=Sarah Maria|url=https://www.theguardian.com/games/2022/sep/02/cult-of-the-lamb-review-grow-your-own-cult|title=Cult of the Lamb review – grow your own cult in darkly cute game|website=]|publisher=]|date= |
| TG = {{Rating|5|5}}<ref name="TG">{{Cite web|last=Griffin|first=Sarah Maria|url=https://www.theguardian.com/games/2022/sep/02/cult-of-the-lamb-review-grow-your-own-cult|title=Cult of the Lamb review – grow your own cult in darkly cute game|website=]|publisher=]|date=September 2, 2022|access-date=September 7, 2022}}</ref> | ||
| TA = 3.5/5<ref name="TA">{{Cite web|last=Musgrave|first=Shaun|url=https://toucharcade.com/2022/08/22/cult-of-the-lamb-switch-review-patch-arcade-paradise-eshop-deals-cuphead-discount-nintendo/|title=SwitchArcade Round-Up: Reviews Featuring 'Arcade Paradise' and 'Cult of the Lamb', Plus Today's Releases and Sales|website=]|date= |
| TA = 3.5/5<ref name="TA">{{Cite web|last=Musgrave|first=Shaun|url=https://toucharcade.com/2022/08/22/cult-of-the-lamb-switch-review-patch-arcade-paradise-eshop-deals-cuphead-discount-nintendo/|title=SwitchArcade Round-Up: Reviews Featuring 'Arcade Paradise' and 'Cult of the Lamb', Plus Today's Releases and Sales|website=]|date=August 22, 2022|access-date=August 26, 2022}}</ref> | ||
| rev1 = '']'' | | rev1 = '']'' | ||
| rev1Score = {{Rating|2|5}}<ref>{{Cite web|last=Scaife|first=Steven|title=''Cult of the Lamb'' Review: A Misbegotten |
| rev1Score = {{Rating|2|5}}<ref>{{Cite web|last=Scaife|first=Steven|title=''Cult of the Lamb'' Review: A Misbegotten Roguelite with Shades of Animal Crossing|url=https://www.slantmagazine.com/games/cult-of-the-lamb-review/|access-date=August 26, 2022|website=]|date=August 10, 2022}}</ref> | ||
}} | }} | ||
===Critical response=== | ===Critical response=== | ||
''Cult of the Lamb'' received "generally favourable" reviews, according to ] ].<ref name="MCPC"/><ref name="MCPS5"/><ref name="MCNS"/><ref name="MCXSXS"/> '']'' praised the combat, calling it "fast-paced, fluid and fun" while also being surprised by the amount of customization and player-choice which in turns makes the game "very replayable".<ref name="GameSpot">{{Cite web|last=Howard|first=Jessica|url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/cult-of-the-lamb-review-a-cult-classic/1900-6417933/|title=Cult of the Lamb Review - A Cult Classic|website=]|date= |
''Cult of the Lamb'' received "generally favourable" reviews, according to ] ].<ref name="MCPC"/><ref name="MCPS5"/><ref name="MCNS"/><ref name="MCXSXS"/> '']'' praised the combat, calling it "fast-paced, fluid and fun" while also being surprised by the amount of customization and player-choice which in turns makes the game "very replayable".<ref name="GameSpot">{{Cite web|last=Howard|first=Jessica|url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/cult-of-the-lamb-review-a-cult-classic/1900-6417933/|title=Cult of the Lamb Review - A Cult Classic|website=]|date=August 11, 2022|access-date=August 13, 2022}}</ref> '']'' liked the variety present in the dungeon crawling, writing, "New layouts and equipment loadouts keep every run unique, while its intense and chaotic battles demand your full attention".<ref name="NLife"/> '']'' felt the game tutorialized its mechanics properly, "Again, for all of the elements that come into play, ''Cult of the Lamb'' presents everything in a digestible way".<ref name="Destruct"/> '']'' compared the game to the '']'' series, saying it's like "if ] craved power instead of money", and enjoyed the ways in which the player could manage their cult, writing that it could be complicated, "but it never threatens to be overwhelming".<ref name="PCGUS"/> '']'' praised the way it balanced macabre themes with "cutesy cartoon vibes".<ref name="IGN"/> | ||
While enjoying the premise, '']'' criticized how difficult it was to find time to customize the cult, "with so many cosmetic items thrown into the formula, I was disappointed by how rarely I was afforded the time to focus on them".<ref name="GI"/> '']'' disliked the combat, feeling that it often devolved into a jumbled mess, "the game's 2.5D perspective would make it difficult to gauge where you are even if you weren't constantly sliding all over the battlefield".<ref name="Washington Post" /> '']'' liked the characters that the player could find in dungeons, saying that they were "genuinely interesting, with their backstories mostly obfuscated and enhanced by their charming picture book-esque designs".<ref name="Polygon" /> '']'' praised the art style of the game, noting that it looked like "the best New Yorker cartoon".<ref name="Eurogamer" /> | While enjoying the premise, '']'' criticized how difficult it was to find time to customize the cult, "with so many cosmetic items thrown into the formula, I was disappointed by how rarely I was afforded the time to focus on them".<ref name="GI"/> '']'' disliked the combat, feeling that it often devolved into a jumbled mess, "the game's 2.5D perspective would make it difficult to gauge where you are even if you weren't constantly sliding all over the battlefield".<ref name="Washington Post" /> '']'' liked the characters that the player could find in dungeons, saying that they were "genuinely interesting, with their backstories mostly obfuscated and enhanced by their charming picture book-esque designs".<ref name="Polygon" /> '']'' praised the art style of the game, noting that it looked like "the best ]".<ref name="Eurogamer" /> | ||
The ongoing cultural success of the game led to a "Cult of the Lamb Temple" to be built at the ] gaming convention in 2024, which hosted two legally recognised marriage ceremonies under the "cult" with hundreds in attendance. The developers revealed after the event that they had received "hundreds of applications" from couples wanting to marry at their temple. Additionally, the game's composer River Boy, held a ] at the temple during the event.<ref>{{Cite news |author1=Kara Phillips |date=October 14, 2024 |title=Cult of the Lamb built a replica of the Lamb's temple and officiated two genuine weddings at PAX Australia |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/games/sim/cult-of-the-lamb-built-a-replica-of-the-lambs-temple-and-officiated-two-genuine-weddings-at-pax-australia/ |access-date=October 15, 2024 |work=PC Gamer |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=October 14, 2024 |title=PAX Aus 2024's furry Cult of the Lamb wedding was joyous |url=https://www.gameshub.com/news/features/pax-aus-2024-cult-of-the-lamb-wedding-2646237/ |access-date=October 15, 2024 |website=www.gameshub.com |language=en-AU}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=rawmeatcowboy |date=October 13, 2024 |title=Couple ties the knot at PAX's Cult of the Lamb booth |url=https://www.gonintendo.com/contents/41491-couple-ties-the-knot-at-pax-s-cult-of-the-lamb-booth |access-date=October 15, 2024 |website=GoNintendo |language=en}}</ref> | |||
===Sales=== | ===Sales=== | ||
''Cult of the Lamb'' sold one million units within its first week of release.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Romano|first=Sal|date= |
''Cult of the Lamb'' sold one million units within its first week of release.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Romano|first=Sal|date=August 18, 2022|title=Cult of the Lamb sales top one million|url=https://www.gematsu.com/2022/08/cult-of-the-lamb-sales-top-one-million|access-date=August 26, 2022|website=Gematsu}}</ref> As of October 2024, it has sold 4.5 million units.<ref>{{cite web |last1=D'Angelo |first1=William |title=Cult of the Lamb Sales Top 4.5 Million Units - Sales |url=https://www.vgchartz.com/article/462837/cult-of-the-lamb-sales-top-45-million-units/ |website=VGChartz}}</ref> | ||
===Accolades=== | ===Accolades=== | ||
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! scope="col" class="unsortable" | Ref. | ! scope="col" class="unsortable" | Ref. | ||
|- | |- | ||
| rowspan="4" | |
| rowspan="4" | October 5, 2022 | ||
| rowspan="4" | Australian Game Developer Awards | | rowspan="4" | Australian Game Developer Awards | ||
| Game of the Year | | Game of the Year | ||
| {{Won}} | | {{Won}} | ||
| rowspan="4" style="text-align:center;" | <ref name="AGDA 2022">{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/cult-of-the-lamb-wins-big-at-the-australian-game-developer-awards|title=Cult of the Lamb Wins Big at the Australian Game Developer Awards|last=Reilly|first=Luke|publisher=]|date= |
| rowspan="4" style="text-align:center;" | <ref name="AGDA 2022">{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/cult-of-the-lamb-wins-big-at-the-australian-game-developer-awards|title=Cult of the Lamb Wins Big at the Australian Game Developer Awards|last=Reilly|first=Luke|publisher=]|date=October 6, 2022|access-date=October 6, 2022}}</ref> | ||
|- | |- | ||
| Excellence in Music | | Excellence in Music | ||
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| {{Won}} | | {{Won}} | ||
|- | |- | ||
| rowspan="2" | |
| rowspan="2" | November 22, 2022 | ||
| rowspan="2" | ] | | rowspan="2" | ] | ||
| Best Visual Design | | Best Visual Design | ||
| {{Nominated}} | | {{Nominated}} | ||
| rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;" | <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gamesradar.com/elden-ring-leads-nominations-as-voting-opens-for-the-golden-joystick-awards-2022/|title=Time is running out to cast your vote in the Golden Joystick Awards 2022|last=Jones|first=Ali|website=]|date= |
| rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;" | <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gamesradar.com/elden-ring-leads-nominations-as-voting-opens-for-the-golden-joystick-awards-2022/|title=Time is running out to cast your vote in the Golden Joystick Awards 2022|last=Jones|first=Ali|website=]|date=October 20, 2022|access-date=November 17, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamesradar.com/cult-of-the-lamb-wins-best-indie-game-at-this-years-golden-joystick-awards/|title=Cult of the Lamb wins Best Indie Game at this year's Golden Joystick Awards|last=Donnelly|first=Joe|date=November 22, 2022|access-date=November 22, 2022}}</ref> | ||
|- | |- | ||
| Best Indie Game | | Best Indie Game | ||
| {{Won}} | | {{Won}} | ||
|- | |- | ||
| |
| December 8, 2022 | ||
| ] | | ] | ||
| Best Independent Game | | Best Independent Game | ||
| {{nom}} | | {{nom}} | ||
| style="text-align:center;" | <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gematsu.com/2022/11/the-game-awards-2022-nominees-announced|title=The Game Awards 2022 nominees announced|last=Romano|first=Sal|publisher=Gematsu|date= |
| style="text-align:center;" | <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gematsu.com/2022/11/the-game-awards-2022-nominees-announced|title=The Game Awards 2022 nominees announced|last=Romano|first=Sal|publisher=Gematsu|date=November 14, 2022|access-date=November 14, 2022}}</ref> | ||
|- | |- | ||
| |
| January 17, 2023 | ||
| ] | | ] | ||
| Big Apple Award for Best Game of the Year | | Big Apple Award for Best Game of the Year | ||
| {{nom}} | | {{nom}} | ||
| style="text-align:center;" | <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/new-york-game-awards-2023-elden-ring-wins-two-awards-as-phil-spencer-is-honored|title=New York Game Awards 2023: Elden Ring Wins Two Awards as Phil Spencer Is Honored|last=Bankhurst|first=Adam|website=]|date= |
| style="text-align:center;" | <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/new-york-game-awards-2023-elden-ring-wins-two-awards-as-phil-spencer-is-honored|title=New York Game Awards 2023: Elden Ring Wins Two Awards as Phil Spencer Is Honored|last=Bankhurst|first=Adam|website=]|date=January 18, 2023|access-date=January 27, 2023}}</ref> | ||
|- | |- | ||
| rowspan="3" | |
| rowspan="3" | March 30, 2023 | ||
| rowspan="3" | ] | | rowspan="3" | ] | ||
| ] | | ] | ||
| {{nom}} | | {{nom}} | ||
| rowspan="3" style="text-align:center;" | <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bafta.org/games/awards/2023-nominations|title=2023 BAFTA Games Awards: The Nominations|publisher=]|date= |
| rowspan="3" style="text-align:center;" | <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bafta.org/games/awards/2023-nominations|title=2023 BAFTA Games Awards: The Nominations|publisher=]|date=March 2, 2023|access-date=March 2, 2023}}</ref> | ||
|- | |- | ||
| ] | | ] | ||
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|- | |- | ||
| rowspan="2" | |
| rowspan="2" |April 24, 2023 | ||
| rowspan="2" |] | | rowspan="2" |] | ||
| Game of the Year Award | | Game of the Year Award | ||
| {{ |
| {{won}} | ||
| rowspan="2" |<ref>{{cite web |date= |
| rowspan="2" |<ref>{{cite web |date=April 24, 2023 |title=Gayming Awards 2023 Winners Revealed |url=https://gaymingmag.com/2023/04/gayming-awards-2023-winners-revealed/ |access-date=April 25, 2023 |publisher=]}}</ref> | ||
|- | |- | ||
|Gayming Magazine Readers’ Award | |Gayming Magazine Readers’ Award | ||
| {{ |
| {{nom}} | ||
|- | |- | ||
| |
| October 19, 2023 | ||
| ] | | ] | ||
| WSA Game Music Award | | WSA Game Music Award | ||
| {{won}} | | {{won}} | ||
| style="text-align:center;" | <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.worldsoundtrackawards.com/news/volker-bertelmann-nicholas-britell-and-amelia-warner-among-winners-at-23rd-world-soundtrack-awards|title=VOLKER BERTELMANN, NICHOLAS BRITELL AND AMELIA WARNER AMONG WINNERS AT 23RD WORLD SOUNDTRACK AWARDS|publisher=]|date= |
| style="text-align:center;" | <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.worldsoundtrackawards.com/news/volker-bertelmann-nicholas-britell-and-amelia-warner-among-winners-at-23rd-world-soundtrack-awards|title=VOLKER BERTELMANN, NICHOLAS BRITELL AND AMELIA WARNER AMONG WINNERS AT 23RD WORLD SOUNDTRACK AWARDS|publisher=]|date=October 19, 2023|access-date=October 26, 2023}}</ref> | ||
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Latest revision as of 07:58, 31 December 2024
2022 video game2022 video game
Cult of the Lamb | |
---|---|
Developer(s) | Massive Monster |
Publisher(s) | Devolver Digital |
Director(s) | Julian Wilton |
Designer(s) | Jay Armstrong |
Artist(s) | James Pearmain |
Writer(s) |
|
Composer(s) | River Boy |
Engine | Unity |
Platform(s) | |
Release | August 11, 2022 |
Genre(s) | Roguelike, construction and management simulation |
Mode(s) | Single-player, multiplayer |
Cult of the Lamb is a roguelike video game developed by indie developer Massive Monster and published by Devolver Digital. The game was released on August 11, 2022, for macOS, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S. The game follows a lamb who is saved from death by a god-like stranger named "The One Who Waits", and must repay their debt by creating a loyal cult in its name.
Cult of the Lamb received generally positive reviews from critics upon release, with praise directed towards its gameplay and replay value. It received three nominations at the 19th British Academy Games Awards, including Best Game.
Gameplay
Cult of the Lamb is centered around a lamb, controlled by the player, who is tasked with forming a cult in order to appease the deity "The One Who Waits". Having saved the player character's life at the start of the game, it instructs them to embark on roguelite-style "crusades" by venturing out into one of the game's four regions in order to defeat various enemies (so-called "heretics"). There they can find or rescue other captured or lost animals in order to create and grow a cult following dedicated to the player. The randomly generated world contains resources to gather, perks and weapons to collect, enemies in the form of rival cultists and non-believers to fight, and other animals to rescue; these animals can be indoctrinated into the player's cult. They have appearances that can be changed and both positive and negative traits, which can affect how they act in the cult or how they react to the player's actions regarding the cult.
The player can manage their followers in their team's village. Followers can be assigned tasks at the base such as gathering resources, building structures, worshipping, sending them to assist the player in battle, or sacrificing them, which can affect the player's abilities and the team itself. The player must ensure their followers' needs are met by performing sermons and rituals to reinforce their faith, cooking food for them to survive, providing them with shelter, and ensuring the village is clean and sanitary. Otherwise, the followers can turn against the player, spread dissent, and eventually leave the cult with other followers; to prevent this, the player can provide for them, give them gifts, reeducate them, or detain them in a pillory until they stop dissenting.
Twitch integration
The game has Twitch integration via the "Companion of the Lamb" Twitch extension. Viewers can customize their follower by entering via a "Follower Raffle", which (when chosen at random) will have their username displayed above their character at all times. Other features include the "Twitch Totem Bar" which lets viewers contribute channel points, resulting in a random reward for the player, and a "Help or Hinder" event where they can vote to either help or hinder the player's progress.
Plot
In a land of false prophets, The Lamb, supposedly the last of their kind, is brought before The Four Bishops of the Old Faith, and is sacrificed before them. Upon dying, The Lamb is brought before "The One Who Waits", a strange deity who is imprisoned in chains. The One Who Waits tasks The Lamb with starting a cult in its name, gives The Lamb a demonic crown, then resurrects it.
Assisted by Ratau, The Lamb's precursor, The Lamb settles at the ruins of a temple and establishes a cult on behalf of The One Who Waits, in order to defeat the four other Bishops – Leshy, Heket, Kallamar, and Shamura – and free it. After settling down into their cult, The Lamb adventures off on crusades, defeating each of the Four Bishops while simultaneously expanding the cult with followers, increasing its influence and The Lamb's powers. With the death of each Bishop, one of the four chains holding The One Who Waits breaks, ultimately freeing the deity. While crusading, the Four Bishops and The One Who Waits speak to The Lamb in different encounters.
As The Lamb progressively gets closer to their ultimate goal, The One Who Waits informs The Lamb that the Four Bishops had betrayed and imprisoned him, and that he intends to ultimately rule the cult and the world while remaking them in his image. During The Lamb's crusade against Shamura, Shamura reveals the identity of The One Who Waits: "Narinder". Shamura informs The Lamb that Narinder was the Fifth Bishop of the Old Faith, and their brother and equal, having ruled over the realm of Death. Shamura laments to The Lamb, confessing that millennia before, Narinder had grown ambitious and was discontent with his role as a Bishop. Shamura, blinded by their love for Narinder, had tried to help him by teaching him ideas of change, although Shamura's teachings were "most unnatural" for Narinder, as Shamura stated. Ultimately, Narinder betrayed the Bishops, which forced Shamura and the others to imprison him. Before the final battle, Shamura warns The Lamb that Narinder will come for them when all of the Bishops are dead.
After Shamura is defeated, The One Who Waits instructs The Lamb to visit him in his realm to return the demonic crown and to be sacrificed in his name. The Lamb opens the final gateway and goes before The One Who Waits. The Lamb is instructed to kneel and be sacrificed, so that The One Who Waits can retake his crown and obtain his place as god of the world. The player is given the option to sacrifice themselves to fulfill the prophecy or reject doing so. If the player accepts, The One Who Waits is freed, and subsequently tortures The Lamb before killing it, ending the game.
If the player refuses, a final battle ensues between The Lamb and The One Who Waits's followers, Baal and Aym. Once the followers are defeated, The One Who Waits attempts to kill The Lamb himself. After the first defeat, The One Who Waits taunts The Lamb and transforms while pulling The Lamb into a hellscape, attempting to kill them in front of their followers a second time. If The Lamb defeats The One Who Waits again, it is stripped of its powers and transforms into a follower-like creature named Narinder. Narinder admits defeat and resents The Lamb, and the player is given the option to spare Narinder or murder him. If the player chooses to kill Narinder, Narinder claims that The Lamb is no different than he was before he is subsequently killed. If the player chooses to spare Narinder, Narinder can be indoctrinated into the cult as an immortal follower, and insults The Lamb for being weak. Either option results in The Lamb's followers being rescued and The Lamb returning to their cult, and the game ends.
In the post-game, the Lamb encounters an entity that calls itself the Merchant of Eternity and the Meter of Gods. The entity asks to face the bosses again and release the Bishops into the afterlife to indoctrinate them. He asks for items called God Tears. For each freed Bishop he reveals to the Lamb the past of the gods. After resurrecting them all he gives a statue or follower to the Lamb.
Development
"Massive Monster" redirects here. For the game show, see Massive Monster Mayhem. For the music festival, see Monster Massive.Cult of the Lamb is developed by Massive Monster, an Australian independent game development studio that has created The Adventure Pals, Never Give Up, and Unicycle Giraffe. Much of their early work had been commercial failures.
Because of the cute art style used in these games, there had been a perception that the studio was catering to children, and opted to go in a different direction for their next game, looking towards themes of horror and the occult. They planned to make a roguelite dungeon crawler along with base building, but the premise was uncertain and evolved over the course of development. It originally featured a lamb god who had been kicked out of a pantheon over a lack of popularity, and had to rebuild his following on earth. The next revision featured the lamb running hell, but the team did not want to include torture as a theme too heavily. The premise of the lamb instead running a cult proved more popular with the team, and this line of thinking secured the publishing deal with Devolver Digital.
Additional funding for development was provided through VicScreen's Victorian Production Fund. Cult of the Lamb was announced at Gamescom in August 2021 and was released on August 11, 2022.
Post release updates
After the game's launch, it received several major content updates. These were sometimes billed as DLCs or expansions in marketing material, though they were all free updates.
- Blood Moon Festival (October 24, 2022) added the blood moon ritual and various cosmetic items.
- Relics of the Old Faith (April 24, 2023) added a post-game storyline with a crusade campaign, a photo-mode, and additions and enhancements to the game's combat and cult management mechanics.
- Don't Starve Together (August 21, 2023) added penitence mode, in addition to crossover content from Klei Entertainment's Don't Starve Together.
- Sins of the Flesh (January 16, 2024) added a sin mechanic, more doctrines, a new blunderbuss weapon, more cosmetics, and a breeding system.
- Unholy Alliance (August 12, 2024) added two-player cooperative play to the game, with the second player playing the Goat alongside the Lamb. The update also expanded the game's weapons, powers, and buildable items.
DLC
Several paid downloadable content packs have been made available.
- Cultist Pack (August 11, 2022) adds follower forms, outfits and decorations.
- Heretic Pack (April 24, 2023) adds follower forms, outfits and decorations.
- Sinful Pack (January 12, 2024) adds follower forms, outfits and decorations.
- Pilgrim Pack (August 12, 2024) adds a digital comic book and numerous cosmetic items related to the new story.
On March 12, 2024, a graphic novel adaptation of the game entitled The First Verse was launched on Kickstarter, written by Alex Paknadel and Troy Little, published by Oni Press. The crowdfunding target was reached in six minutes.
Soundtrack
The game's original soundtrack was composed by River Boy, and was made available for purchase on the Steam page on launch day. It is also available on River Boy's Bandcamp page.
On October 21, 2024, an extended play (titled Hymns of the Unholy) was announced by Massive Monster containing metal remixes of songs from the soundtrack by Pick Up Goliath, featuring current and former members of Light the Torch, Trivium, While She Sleeps, Polyphia and more.
Reception
ReceptionAggregator | Score |
---|---|
Metacritic | NS: 79/100 PC: 82/100 PS5: 86/100 XSXS: 88/100 |
Publication | Score |
---|---|
Destructoid | 8.5/10 |
Electronic Gaming Monthly | |
Game Informer | 8/10 |
GameRevolution | |
GameSpot | 9/10 |
IGN | 8/10 |
Nintendo Life | |
PC Gamer (US) | 82/100 |
Push Square | |
Shacknews | 8/10 |
The Guardian | |
TouchArcade | 3.5/5 |
Slant Magazine |
Critical response
Cult of the Lamb received "generally favourable" reviews, according to review aggregator Metacritic. GameSpot praised the combat, calling it "fast-paced, fluid and fun" while also being surprised by the amount of customization and player-choice which in turns makes the game "very replayable". Nintendo Life liked the variety present in the dungeon crawling, writing, "New layouts and equipment loadouts keep every run unique, while its intense and chaotic battles demand your full attention". Destructoid felt the game tutorialized its mechanics properly, "Again, for all of the elements that come into play, Cult of the Lamb presents everything in a digestible way". PC Gamer compared the game to the Animal Crossing series, saying it's like "if Tom Nook craved power instead of money", and enjoyed the ways in which the player could manage their cult, writing that it could be complicated, "but it never threatens to be overwhelming". IGN praised the way it balanced macabre themes with "cutesy cartoon vibes".
While enjoying the premise, Game Informer criticized how difficult it was to find time to customize the cult, "with so many cosmetic items thrown into the formula, I was disappointed by how rarely I was afforded the time to focus on them". The Washington Post disliked the combat, feeling that it often devolved into a jumbled mess, "the game's 2.5D perspective would make it difficult to gauge where you are even if you weren't constantly sliding all over the battlefield". Polygon liked the characters that the player could find in dungeons, saying that they were "genuinely interesting, with their backstories mostly obfuscated and enhanced by their charming picture book-esque designs". Eurogamer praised the art style of the game, noting that it looked like "the best New Yorker cartoon".
The ongoing cultural success of the game led to a "Cult of the Lamb Temple" to be built at the PAX Australia gaming convention in 2024, which hosted two legally recognised marriage ceremonies under the "cult" with hundreds in attendance. The developers revealed after the event that they had received "hundreds of applications" from couples wanting to marry at their temple. Additionally, the game's composer River Boy, held a rave at the temple during the event.
Sales
Cult of the Lamb sold one million units within its first week of release. As of October 2024, it has sold 4.5 million units.
Accolades
Date | Award | Category | Result | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
October 5, 2022 | Australian Game Developer Awards | Game of the Year | Won | |
Excellence in Music | Won | |||
Excellent in Art | Won | |||
Excellence in Gameplay | Won | |||
November 22, 2022 | Golden Joystick Awards | Best Visual Design | Nominated | |
Best Indie Game | Won | |||
December 8, 2022 | The Game Awards | Best Independent Game | Nominated | |
January 17, 2023 | New York Game Awards | Big Apple Award for Best Game of the Year | Nominated | |
March 30, 2023 | British Academy Games Awards | Best Game | Nominated | |
Game Design | Nominated | |||
Original Property | Nominated | |||
April 24, 2023 | Gayming Awards | Game of the Year Award | Won | |
Gayming Magazine Readers’ Award | Nominated | |||
October 19, 2023 | World Soundtrack Awards | WSA Game Music Award | Won |
References
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External links
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