Grand adventure stories are the best, aren’t they? Epic journeys where a delectable bunch of characters solve mysteries, tackle puzzles, and encounter strange mystical creatures. In 2020, Out of the Blue Games gave us the brilliant Call of the Sea on our bright new Xbox Series consoles, proving to be a massive indie success. It was a period-piece adventure heavily laced with Lovecraftian themes that took us on a journey across tropical islands.
Call of the Elder Gods is a brand-new adventure and a direct sequel set six years after the events of the previous game. It is a solid, highly enjoyable yarn, and here is exactly why.
In this first-person adventure, you don’t necessarily need to have played the first game to get the most out of Call of the Elder Gods. You start the game as a new character named Evangeline Drayton, a university student who keeps having strange dreams about an ancient artefact and bizarre alien worlds. In particular, a statuette constantly appears in her dreams. After conducting some research, she discovers that Professor Harrison Everheart found this exact item on a past expedition. She contacts him, and soon the two of them are swept up and head off on an adventure together.
Globe-Trotting and Ghostly Narrators
The Professor returns from the first game, as does Norah, who is technically dead but joyfully – and with considerable wit – narrates the story. It is a classic yarn with a distinct Indiana Jones feel to it, packed full of mysticism, globe-trotting, and some amazing set-piece puzzles to solve. I found the writing and overarching story to be sharp and enjoyable throughout its seven-to-eight-hour runtime. I loved the period attention to detail and, of course, the strong Lovecraftian influence that permeates the entire adventure.
Locations include sprawling manor houses hiding a whole host of secrets, an old Nazi base, and places like Australia, all of which successfully deliver that epic adventure feel.
Mastering Methodical Puzzles
Much like the first game, the gameplay is entirely focused on puzzles, and there are some great ones here. When you finally solve them, you feel like an absolute genius, which is always the mark of a great game n this genre. You are equipped with a journal to collect all the information you gather in each area. You can refer back to it whenever you get stuck to unlock vital clues about what to do next or how to solve a particular riddle.
At times, the game feels like a glorious, sprawling escape room. Entering a new level can feel quite overwhelming at first; you might find yourself wandering around an area filled with complex locks, out-of-reach areas, items to collect, statues to move, and cryptic clues to discover. The best approach is to take a deep breath, collate all the information around you, and methodically work through the puzzles step by step. Once you settle into that rhythm of puzzle-solving, it becomes incredibly satisfying to play. Naturally, those who dislike puzzle games will likely bounce off the cerebral elements and the distinct lack of action. It dictates a very deliberate, slower pace, which I am a big fan of, though it certainly won’t be for everyone.
There is a hint mechanic included in Call of the Elder Gods, and that is both a blessing and a curse in equal measure. On the positive side, it provides step-by-step clues if you get hopelessly stuck in an area, offering solutions to tricky moments that I was genuinely grateful for. On the negative side, it is simply way too tempting, and I found myself relying on it a bit too much. It might have been a better design choice to limit its usage to a set number of tries per chapter.
A Graphic Novel in Motion
Visually, it is a great-looking game, much like its predecessor. It boasts its own unique style, featuring beautiful animation that often feels like a period graphic novel come to life. The locations are wonderfully presented, and the visual design transitions seamlessly between realism and more fantastical elements. The soundtrack aligns perfectly with the story and overall atmosphere. Furthermore, the voice cast is excellent, with leads Mara Junot and Yuri Lowenthal doing an amazing job of bringing their respective characters to life.
The Perfect Successor to Call of the Sea
Call of the Elder Gods is a special game that serves as the perfect sequel to Call of the Sea. It instils a wonderful sense of adventure that reminds of classic Indiana Jones films, just without the constant action and combat. Fans of puzzle games will have an absolute blast with what is on offer here, especially as the game constantly throws in new mechanics to keep you on your toes. The story and writing are sublime, featuring brilliantly drawn characters and a perfect understanding of the time period. While the pacing might drag slightly in places and the hint system is far too tempting, it has left me incredibly excited for a potential third game in the series.
But for now, Call of the Elder Gods will more than suffice.
Important Links
Call of the Elder Gods is a Lovecraftian Sequel to the Critically Acclaimed Call of the Sea – https://www.thexboxhub.com/call-of-the-elder-gods-is-a-lovecraftian-sequel-to-the-critically-acclaimed-call-of-the-sea/
Download from the Xbox Store, via Game Pass if you like – https://www.xbox.com/en-GB/games/store/call-of-the-elder-gods/9PF697TG7PP7/0010
