Cult of the Lamb is the latest title from publisher Devolver Digital in collaboration with developer Massive Monster. On the surface, Cult of the Lamb looks to be a simplistic roguelike dungeon crawler, but the game has much more depth than meets the eye. In true Devolver Digital fashion, Cult of the Lamb is full of layers and a unique combination of features and mechanics that are reminiscent of other popular titles.
The two immediate connections that fans will make to Cult of the Lamb are roguelike dungeon crawlers, such as Hades, and life simulation games similar to Animal Crossing. The comparisons are not unwarranted as even trailers for Cult of the Lamb show similarities to the aforementioned titles and the mixture of the two genres is definitely a new and interesting combination, but it is one that seems to work well for Cult of the Lamb.
How Cult of the Lamb Compares to Hades
First and foremost, Cult of the Lamb is an action-based dungeon crawler and a roguelike, which means each dungeon is procedurally generated, and the player is able to enhance each run with upgrades. The combat is very fast-paced and relies on players utilizing an array of combat abilities including different weapons, spells, and a dodge roll. On the surface, the basic gameplay of Cult of the Lamb is already very reminiscent of similar roguelike games but in a few particular instances, the game does rightly compare to Hades specifically.
Hades prides itself on its fast-paced combat and different varieties of weapons, abilities, and boons. The latter are power-ups that can be used only during the current run but grant the player useful ability and weapon upgrades. Cult of the Lamb shares a similar combat system with each dungeon run, dubbed crusades, featuring tight, quick battles in small arenas that begin with a randomized weapon and also features boons that allow for upgrades mid-run.
The combat for each game relies on the player’s reflexes, and the types of weapons and attacks in Cult of the Lamb have definitely taken inspiration from weapons in Hades. With that said, one major difference is the randomization of player weapons in each run in Cult of the Lamb; whereas Hades allows players to pick which weapon they would like to use during a particular run, Cult of the Lamb randomly chooses a weapon for the player. This has likely been done to provide an extra challenge and sense of uncertainty for the player, but just as in Hades, many of the weapons feel stronger than others, and the randomization could make or break a run based on forces outside the player’s control as opposed to skill and efficiency.
Cult of the Lamb’s Animal Crossing Mechanics
The biggest standout feature in Cult of the Lamb is the relationship and homestead simulation aspect that focus on the titular cult. The entire purpose of the player going on crusades through randomized dungeons is to gain new followers and unlock new items for their home base, which in this title is a plot of land that is used to gather resources and build an entire town/cult worshipping the player character and their deity, The One Who Waits.
Though the description of the base and relationship building may seem dark, the mechanics surrounding it are reminiscent of the relationship and town building aspects of Animal Crossing. In both games, players are encouraged to build relationships with the townspeople and customize the appearance their respective towns. Cult of the Lamb even goes more in-depth with the simulation aspect of the gameplay by requiring players to gather resources and actively care for their town and its people.
Cult of the Lamb give players the ability to completely customize their town and followers, and players could very well find themselves growing attached to certain followers, just as many Animal Crossing fans often pick favorite townspeople based on their personalities. Many of the relationship and town building features in Cult of the Lamb are not be entirely necessary for the storyline. Still, the mechanics behind the features are so in-depth and fulfilling that many players could find themselves working hard to provide for their town and its people to achieve a sense of personal accomplishment, just as many do in Animal Crossing.
Cult of the Lamb is available on PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.