Flawed Brilliance is still Worth It

This game is unique and the things that are good are so good that if you have remote interest or think you might then you should absolutely play it. I would rank this among my favorite games even though I’ve never finished a single game. And there is a the catch: I think it is deeply flawed *as a game*. The core mechanics are those of a “plate spinner” w/ exploration (of card interactions). But the games are looooong. This means that even though losing doesn’t feel too bad (as it works well attractively) that you have to slog through the plate spinning elements but without the exploration and while, eventually, already being familiar with the narrative. Combined with the game being quite long and the plate spinning nature making it easy to just *miss* some debt you have to pay or lose that game — … well, ai can almost not imagine playing a game to completion *despite* loving it. —- But what’s good in the game is excellent, so even just a fraction of the completed game still makes it rank among my favorites. (This is, imo, typical of this author btw — great atmosphere, great text, good use of mechanics to enhance narrative … but the mechanics aren’t good enough for me to finish any of their games. They’re like half-complete masterpieces. … which sort of works in its own way. :)

Patience rewards!

The high rating and reviews don’t lie - this is an intelligent, complex card game with a Lovecraft theme but without a lot of hand-holding and a bit of a learning curve that requires a lot of patience and experimentation (but with great context sensitive clues to help you along). If all of this sounds appealing, you will love this game. The atmosphere, music, graphics and writing are all some of the best you will find in an iOS game. There is horror, there is humor, there is dread, there is epiphany. The devs can’t get enough credit for building a deep and complex world for you to get sucked into. Just bring some patience, as you will need it to learn Cultist Simulator on its terms and avoid the wikis if you can. The key here is to be open to experimentation, to experiencing a lot of in-game deaths in typical rogue-like fashion, and to knowing that if you stick with it and read every clue the game has to offer, things will start to click, and when you do, you will have a wonderful trove of content to play - both in the included in-game characters and in the expansion pack characters, all with different goals and play styles. Kudos to the devs as nobody is out there making games like this.

A very odd, delightful game of words and story

The clue’s in the name. You’re playing a cultist, but less of the chanting and murder aesthetic and more of the slightly maddened researcher uncovering the hidden truths behind the world... and learning to use them. The mythos is incredible and built from the ground up in a way that delights readers, but feels fresh and new and almost obsessive to learn more about due to how carefully it’s been constructed. Make no mistake that this is a card game and there is plate spinning involved, and a lot of trial and error. But it’s very cool that that kind of mirrors the experience of being a cultist - you don’t know what you’re doing, and you’re dying, and then, all of a sudden, there is the euphoria of a breakthrough. I’m a big fan. I would definitely recommend this game if you have good headphones and an overactive imagination. It’s words on a page and a sense of figuring out things as you place down your cards in different tiles and use reading comprehension and a very... odd sense of logic, to figure out what might just happen. You make the story happen in your mind, but this game provides the encouragement to make it something magical.

Fascinating; addictive

To put it simply, if you like managing multiple nodes at the same time to survive (like in mini Metro), you will like this game. If you like finding secrets, exploring new paths, delving into mysteries... you will like this game. I haven’t been this hooked in a long, long time. I was apprehensive of the lack of tutorial warning, since the last game I tried warned of the same thing and I was too confused to understand and enjoy. For this game, the confusion is purposeful. The basics are obvious, so you can hop right in. Click and drag: that’s it. You click and drag the card to the square. There’s even a manual to explain (which made me wonder about the no-tutorial thing but whatever). What’s confusing is how to survive; how to balance the different elements so you don’t perish; and what elements unlock new things. And that’s the purpose of the game; to discover those things. Easy to learn, hard to master and all of that jazz. The mechanics fit brilliantly. You don’t grind for unlocks but you won’t go through any one play through where you haven’t discovered another cool thing to explore — and another way to die. But since you are constantly progressing, death is insignificant, not annoying. It’s a progression game done right. Not to mention, the atmosphere, sound effects, music, writing and style blend together seamlessly. In fact, the writing is lyrical and brilliant. No easy sentences or rough translation here. I have yet to encounter any bugs.

Great game, and great port.

Extremely great game, whether you’re looking to pass the time or delve into lovecraftianesque lore. No tutorial, and little explanation past the initial actions (which is an intentional feature, not an overlooked flaw). Some bugs, but none that are game breaking. A bit of grinding in the mid to late game, though if at any point you slip up you could end up in jail, or find yourself wasting away from despair or going insane. Almost exactly the same as the computer version. My main complaint is that the table is noticeably smaller, leaving much less room for the dozens and hundreds of cards one can collect during a play through. I’ve been able to make it more manageable by reducing the grid snap size to 1/2, but it’s still frustrating at times. I haven’t gotten far enough to see if they have the apostle legacies or the dancer dlc, but the base game is still very much worth the price.

iCloud sync deleted ALL my progress

Yea...I still love this game, though. Finally beat it and mastering it. One of my favs for sure. Edit: like one of the other reviewers has said, you aren’t able to do the ‘Temptation: Change’ aka ‘The Dancer’ storyline/playthrough even though there are hints in the cards when you talk to the specific person and also ‘The Dancer’ achievements are shown as available in Game Center. I have contacted the devs who said they will get back to me (much appreciate for quick response) and they think the dlc wasn’t added to iOS...again, weird since the conversation texts are in the game and the achievements are too: but it refuses to let you speak to a certain person at the club. Hopefully devs will fix/add this ASAP! If anyone else is having this issue be sure to request as well so we can continue our crazy cult fun!

A creative and confusing game

I rate this 5 stars because it’s a fun game and it’s so cool to learn I don’t suggest learning by using wiki or other things getting help from a freind is fine don’t let them tell you too much tho but this game is definitely confusing but for ones that have a bit of patience and are interested in a unique experience each time this is the game for you this isn’t a fast paced game or anything like that please do not be wavered to buy this great game by some of the bad reviews if you think you would like it you most likely will most of the people that didn’t probably didn’t take the time to understand this game so I implore you to also buy this game if it looks of something that fits your interest or if it doesn’t you can always try something new 🤷‍♂️

Exceptional game!

At heart, it’s a time management game, but there’s so much atmosphere and mysticism that you will be drawn in utterly. Some tips - play slowly, read everything! You have one life. ONE. Very old school. Every decision counts. There’s no redo button or take back a move. The games saves your progress, but if you plan poorly, you have to live with the consequences. There’s danger every second, but once you figure out the game mechanics and discover how the cards interact, you’ll be able to foresee most dangers and prepare accordingly. Again, play SLOWLY or you will be rapidly overwhelmed! Pay attention to what you read, the cards offer clear tips within the prose. You can easily have over a hundred cards on the table so be organized and use the pause button liberally. Enjoy your new obsession!

The collaboration brings four Playdigious mobile titles to the Epic Games Store, including Dungeon of the Endless, Evoland 2, Shapez and Cultist Simulator.

PocketGamer.biz Sat Mar 01 2025

Developer Weather Factory has announced that its enigmatic, occasionally impenetrable cosmic card oddity, Cultist Simulator, will be heading to iPhone, iPad,...

Eurogamer Fri Mar 29 2019

Epic has added 17 third party games to its Android Games Store, and 15 new titles on the iOS version.

Mobilegamer.biz Sat Mar 01 2025

Weather Factory originally released its Lovecraftian card game Cultist Simulator on PC in May of 2018, and Playdigious has taken the reins...

Android Police Mon Apr 29 2019

Playdigious is a France-based indie game publisher that has been in the gaming industry for some years now - we will celebrate five years of...

PocketGamer.biz Wed Apr 29 2020

Little Nightmares is now available on iOS and Android! In Little Nightmares, you will have to help Six escape The Maw – a vast, mysterious vessel.

Mynewsdesk Mon Jan 29 2024

Starting now, you can dive into Shapez, Evoland 2, and Dungeon of the Endless: Apogee directly from the Epic Games Store on mobile.

Pocket Gamer Sat Mar 01 2025

Cultist Simulator for iOS and Android had its DLC release in the form of The Dancer and then The Priest and Ghoul DLC over time.

TouchArcade Sun Nov 29 2020

This month's batch of new smartphone apps includes the devilish Cultist Simulator and a bevy of new clicker games desperate for your attention.

Metro.co.uk Mon Apr 29 2019

Cultist Simulator is set to receive two new pieces of DLC content for both iOS and Android on April 2nd. These story-focused add-ons are called The Priest and...

Pocket Gamer Sun Mar 29 2020