In a year rife with excellent indie games, Cult of the Lamb always stood out. Though some grow weary of the ubiquitous rogue-likes and rogue-lites these days, this game puts a unique spin on the formula to create one of 2022's most ingenious gameplay cycle.
Essentially, this is a game of two halves. The first is a fairly typical dungeon crawler with all sorts of random elements. Runs through these dangerous zones are pretty quick, lasting around 10 minutes, but the fast-paced combat and meaningful loot makes them no less rewarding. After defeating bosses or just exploring thoroughly, you'll find cute little animals in need of rescue. They're sent back to your cult for indoctrination, where things get much more interesting (and a little more sinister).
Back at base, the game turns into a base-building management sim. You need to construct new buildings, feed your followers, and host sermons in order to keep everyone alive and happy, gradually growing in power in the process. What makes Cult of the Lamb so good is how its two halves coalesce. The dungeon runs progress the story and reward you with new followers and plenty of resources, while managing your cult effectively will slowly allow you to become increasingly strong. With a snappy day/night cycle keeping things ticking along, there's never a lull, never nothing to do, and the result is an incredibly compelling loop.
On top of all that, it's just so darn charming. The art is adorable, though it's not shy about showing the darker side of its creepy cult premise. Along with some fun dialogue and characters, the game strikes a wonderful, darkly funny tone throughout. It's just so well put together, and its core loop had us totally hooked right to the very end.
Push Square's Game of the Year list is primarily decided by an internal staff vote. Our community Game of the Year poll is also taken into account. Feel free to agree or disagree with our list in the comments section below!
You can check out all of our Game of the Year coverage by clicking the link.
Comments 16
I'm surprised to see some of these games on PushSquare's top 10 of the year because it felt like just about every game that came out this year got a 7 or an 8 out of 10 from PushSquare other than Ragnarok and Elden Ring.
@B_Lindz Quite a few got 9s. E.g. Horizon, Tales of Arise, Monkey Island, GT7, Stanley Parable, Persona 5 Royal, Capcom Fighting Collection, Pathfinder, etc. Elden Ring got a 9/10 too.
The only new game that got 10/10 was GoW:R.
It's also the difference between reviewing for the site, where you might keep a more open mind for other players, and personal preference. Many of my favourite games of the year are more objectively 7s and 8s.
We’re getting to that point where it’s exciting to see what’s next now. Genuinely curious what #4 and 3 will be. I have the suspicion we’ll see Gran Turismo and Horizon in those positions, but I could see Neon White making the list as well (and I wouldn’t cry if neither made the list… though how brave would it be to exclude them both?). We all know it’s between Elden Ring and Ragnarok for goty and I’m honestly not sure which one will win, based on the individual staff lists, though I think it’ll probably be Ragnarok in the community poll.
But as for Cult of the Lamb… I can’t say I agree with this one. I can see how it got ranked highly, but the game did nothing for me. That’s ok though! Glad to see the success of indies this year!
@somnambulance I reckon it’s Horizon 4th, Neon White, GOW:R & Elden Ring in that order.
It sucks but racers unfortunately have always been an overlooked category in the industry.
This one keeps popping up in the lists. On the watch list it goes!
I've ignored so many interesting indies this year. Definitely want to try this eventually.
@Fight_Teza_Fight I dunno. There’s a couple champions for Horizon in the staff on Push Square. I have a feeling it’ll land at #3. For some reason, I’ve got this feeling the community poll may put Horizon above Elden Ring.
You’re probably right about Gran Turismo. It’s not appeared on any list, despite being reviewed well. It just doesn’t seem to be anyone’s favorite game on the staff’s part. I wouldn’t be shocked to see it do well in the community poll though.
@somnambulance I mean, nothing is ever an impossibility but I think there's next to no chance this place puts Horizon over ER, even if I would.
I got this fairly recently so avoided the crop of release bugs and it's my favourite game of the year. As someone who isn't into the AAA God of War and Horizon type stuff, this was a perfect game for me.
I think the game could easily be bumped up a spot or two but otherwise it's a good place
@bozz Horizon has an 8.9 user rating and Elden Ring has an 8.6. But who knows where the poll will go? I’m excited to see either which way. It seems we’re all pretty divided on the GotY discussion this year, so it makes it fun to see who wins.
@somnambulance The community poll only played a small part in the site's overall top 10. This is largely decided by staff votes.
@LiamCroft Isn’t there a separate GoTY list for the community’s picks? I could have sworn that happened in previous years, but I could definitely be wrong. Regardless, I’m really looking forward to seeing the rest of the list. Love GotY season!
@somnambulance Oh yeah, there'll be a separate article that reveals the community's own top 10 too.
One of my favs 2022 games, and my number 1 indie games of the year 😃
@LiamCroft I imagine that's where GT7 will make its appearance. Much loved by the community.
Leave A Comment
Hold on there, you need to login to post a comment...