There’s absolutely nothing subtle or understated about Lesson Learned: Cult of the Elizabeth. It might have an adorable façade, but don’t be misled—this tower defense game is brimming with thrilling action and some genuinely creepy avian creatures. What initially grabs my attention in a game is often the visual design, and Cult of the Elizabeth wastes no time captivating you with its splash screen when you launch it. Initially, I was a bit skeptical, suspecting it might be an imitation of Don’t Starve, one of my all-time top game picks, due to the resemblance in art style and musical vibe. However, all these reservations vanished after mere minutes of gameplay as I realized the game carved its niche in a delightfully bizarre manner.
Cult of the Elizabeth offers both solo and co-op modes, with players like Amelia and her friends forced to navigate their way out of this surreal nightmare. In solo mode, though, you might find yourself slightly frustrated with the lengthy process required to gather resources for tower upgrades. Typically, I find some enjoyment in collecting resources as it’s a nice mental pause between intense combat scenarios, but here, it felt excessively time-consuming. While defending my base was challenging enough, the combat hardly played to my strengths. Even on the easiest mode, the pesky bird minions proved overwhelming, with my sidekick turning out to be less than helpful. Micromanaging him for supplies felt more like a chore than a pleasure—frankly, my real life is loaded with enough responsibilities without gamifying them!
Putting the resource grind aside, the gameplay has plenty to offer. Combat mechanics are fairly straightforward, with a focus on precise shooting rather than wild, erratic firing. Timing and accuracy are crucial to successfully dispatch those bird monsters before they wreak havoc on your towers or yourself and your partner. Strategically placing towers as resources dwindle does require some forethought, particularly when faced with a barrage of enemy attacks. While their movement patterns are not the most challenging, the gameplay heats up quickly once a flock of turkeys clad in Tudor-era attire advances upon your encampment.
Cult of the Elizabeth is one of those PC games that might tempt you to use a controller, though I personally found keyboard controls perfectly adequate. Now, it’s possible that as the game advances and throws more complexities your way, a controller might offer greater ease of play, but that’s a discovery for another day.
Overall, I’m genuinely impressed with Lesson Learned: Cult of the Elizabeth and what it brings to the table so far. The game does give off a bit of an unfinished vibe, prompting hopes that developers are planning to enrich the story and enhance some mechanical aspects to amplify its dynamism. With a few tweaks, the game holds great potential for replay value. As a bonus, you can dive into the prologue for free on Steam—a tempting taste for anyone eager for an intriguing, whimsical journey.
Rating Breakdown:
- Gameplay: 7.5/10
- Plot / Writing: 6.5/10
- Design / Visuals: 9/10
- Overall: 7.7/10
An intriguing genre blend with potential:
Pros:
- The whimsical, gothic art style wonderfully underpins the story.
- A uniquely balanced soundtrack drifting between playful and ominous tones.
- A delightful mix of combat and exploration, spiced with atmospheric charm.
Cons:
- Resource gathering can feel like a tiresome grind.
- The enemy’s predictability limits the challenge factor.
