When I first dove into Lesson Learned: Cult of the Elizabeth, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. On the surface, it looks all cute and charming, but don’t be fooled. This tower defense game quickly ramps up to deliver some fast-paced action with its own unique set of eerie bird monsters. As someone who appreciates strong visual design, the initial screen grabbed my attention right away. At first, I was concerned that it might just be an uninspired replica of Don’t Starve, one of my all-time favorites, given the similarities in art style and music. However, these worries faded after just a few moments of gameplay as I realized that Cult of the Elizabeth stands out in its own peculiar way.
As I delved deeper into the game’s solo and co-op modes, I noticed it shines in different ways. The story of Amelia and her classmates striving to escape a nightmare world is engaging in co-op, where the pace of gathering resources for upgrading towers doesn’t feel quite as slow. Playing solo, however, can become quite a chore. Collecting the needed resources seemed to take ages, giving me little time to adequately defend my base. I enjoy gathering materials as a way to take a break from combat, but here it felt like a bit too much. Although I’ll admit that battling isn’t my strongest suit, being overrun even in easy mode by those feathered foes while managing an inactive sidekick was frustrating. Managing these gaming dynamics felt like extra work—something I certainly could do without in my downtime!
But let’s look at the bright side: outside of these resource-gathering woes, the rest of the gameplay holds strong. Combat mechanics are intuitive yet require precision. Simply spamming attacks won’t cut it; you need tactical aiming and timing to fend off foes who seek to topple your defenses. Strategy also plays a key role in where you place your towers as resource strain sets in, so careful planning helps. That said, these predictable enemy patterns might take the edge off the challenge, but seeing a flock of turkeys in regal attire charging your camp definitely revitalizes the excitement levels.
In playing the game on my PC, I didn’t encounter many hurdles using the keyboard controls, even though a controller is recommended. Perhaps some obstacles arise in later stages that might test keyboard agility more sharply, but for now, I’m managing just fine.
Wrapping up my experience with Cult of the Elizabeth, I have to say I’m impressed, even though it currently feels a bit basic. There’s a lot of room to grow, and with enhancements to the storyline and tweaking of some mechanical elements, it could become even more dynamic. The potential for replayability is high if developers can polish these aspects. For those interested, the prologue is free on Steam, and it offers a delightful introduction to what this quirky adventure has to offer.
Lesson Learned: Cult of the Elizabeth
Gameplay: 7.5/10
Plot / Writing: 6.5/10
Design / Visuals: 9/10
Overall Score: 7.7/10
An interesting mix of genres
Pros:
- The whimsical, gothic art style amplifies the story.
- A soundtrack that balances the light-hearted with the sinister.
- Combines combat and exploration seamlessly in an immersive environment.
Cons:
- Collecting resources can be tedious.
- Enemies lack variety and complexity in their patterns.
