Info about Call of Cthulhu®: Dark Corners of the Earth:

Official game description:
Call of Cthulhu: Dark Corners of the Earth is a first-person horror game that combines intense action and adventure elements. You will draw upon your skills in exploration, investigation, and combat while faced with the seemingly impossible task of battling evil incarnate.
Key features:
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*   Diverse array of levels from quaint towns to alien locations, including Deep One City  
*   Dynamic Sanity system resulting in hallucinations, panic attacks, vertigo, paranoia, and more!  
*   Incredibly detailed real-time graphics with atmospheric lighting and dynamic shadows  
*   Intelligent gameplay involving puzzle solving as well as combat and exploration  
*   1920s weaponry and vehicles as well as evil artifacts and alien technology  
*   Lovecraft's famous monsters and locations

Release date: Jun 16, 2009

Categories: First-Person Shooter, Survival Horror, Lovecraftian Horror, Puzzle Solving, Stealth Gameplay, Sanity Management, Investigative Gameplay, Action Horror

Feature scans:
- Mods: score 50; verdict: Community Patch Strongly Required (Capped at 50); summary: The audit finds strong evidence that Call of Cthulhu: Dark Corners of the Earth relies heavily on an unofficial patch or community fixes to address crashes, softlocks, broken triggers, performance issues, and modern hardware compatibility. Multiple reviewers call the patch mandatory and describe the vanilla game as impossible to play without it. However, the evidence does not include multiple explicit statements that the game crashes on startup for everyone without a mod, so the score is capped at 50 under the audit rules.
- Wiki: score 10; verdict: Tier 4: The Tourist; summary: The reviews primarily describe technical and compatibility friction in an older game: alt-tab crashes, a progression-blocking crash, fan-patch installation, and reliance on forums, wikis, and PCGamingWiki. Some users also mention difficult or unfriendly design, while one praises a convenient treatment-tool table. No evidence explicitly mentions farming, drop rates, loot tables, inventory management, safe-to-sell decisions, crafting requirements, quest outcomes, builds, secrets, or mechanics. Under the strict priority criteria, the dominant explicit signals are Tier 4 bug, crash, and setup-friction complaints, so the default Tourist score applies.
- Proton/Linux: score 40; verdict: Minor Proton Tweaks Required; summary: Linux/Proton feedback is limited but mostly workable. One user reports the patched game launching on Linux without crashes, and another confirms they got it running on Linux. However, one user explicitly needed to switch to Proton Experimental to launch, indicating minor Proton configuration friction. There is no evidence of anti-cheat, DRM, or widespread Linux launch failure.
- Steam Deck: score 60; verdict: Tinkering Required; summary: Feedback on the Steam Deck experience is mixed. Positive reports confirm the game launches and runs on Linux/Steam Deck without the crashes seen on Windows, especially after patching. However, friction is clearly present: one reviewer had to switch from default Proton to Proton Experimental to launch, and reported overlapping, unreadable text in long passages due to large font scaling. Another user described save failures and crashes despite seeking patches. Because forcing Proton Experimental is required, the mandatory score floor of 40 applies, placing this in the 'Tinkering Required' range.

- Hardware Profile:
  - Summary: Across the Windows cohorts, lower-VRAM users report a positive experience only with a community patch, while the 8-11GB VRAM cohort is dominated by crash and stability complaints.
  - Sample size: 22 (8% coverage)
  - Audience skew: Review sample is mostly Windows-based.
  - Windows <8GB VRAM (positive, 8 reports): A recommended user reports the game runs well with a community patch, though the fix is needed to avoid crashes on modern hardware.
  - Windows 8-11GB VRAM (negative, 5 reports): All included reviews are not recommended, citing immediate prologue crashes, crashes after alt-tabbing, and broken in-game events.
  - Caveats: 22 of 263 reviews expose hardware metadata.; Review sample is mostly Windows-based.
Feature extractions:
- Community Price:
  - Community fair range: $2.00 - $5.00
  - Reasoning: The reviews repeatedly frame the Steam version as broken or needing patches, so they reject full price. The clearest signals are that it is only worth a deep sale, specifically 65–100% off, or 'a couple bucks,' and that even interested players should 'buy only on sale.' That supports a fair base-game range of roughly $2–$5 USD, with full price considered too high for the unpatched state.
- Playtime Metrics:
  - Game completion: 9.0h
  - Story completion: N/A
  - Session length: 3.0h
  - Endgame: N/A
  - Reasoning: One reviewer reports completing the game in about 9 hours on Private Investigator difficulty, which supports gameCompletion at 9 hours. Another reviewer describes losing themselves in the game world for a few hours, suggesting a typical session length of about 3 hours. No separate story-only completion time or endgame/post-game duration is reported, so storyCompletion and endgame are null.
- Time-to-fun:
  - Summary: Call of Cthulhu often starts slowly and even boringly, then becomes more interesting later as pacing and combat expand. Some players enjoy the first hours or defend the whole experience, but others report later tedium, pacing issues, and tonal shifts.
  - Stance: Clicks after
  - Anchor: Later pace increase and combat expansion after the early slow section
  - Time to anchor: N/A
  - Friction: Slow, boring early game; Slow-burn pacing that may not suit all players; No tutorial for the body-part healing system; Inconsistent enemy AI and awkward combat encounters; Soft-locks when deviating from the intended sequence
  - Unlock drivers: Later pace increase after the slow opening; Combat expansion with more weapons after about 30%
  - Conditions: Tolerance for a slow, slow-burn pace; Lovecraft or Cthulhu Mythos familiarity or fandom; Ability to ignore encountered problems; Following the intended sequence to avoid soft-locks; Discovering the healing system despite the missing tutorial; Progressing past the early slow section or about 30% into the game; Tolerance for later action-heavy tonal shifts; Preference for early detective or investigation gameplay
- Player Archetypes:
  - Lovecraftian Mythos Devotee (buy)
    - Motivation: Immersion in faithful Lovecraftian atmosphere and mythos lore.
    - Playstyle: Story-driven exploration, absorbing cosmic horror details, overlooking technical flaws.
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: Lovecraft Junkies; Cthulhu fans; heavy Cthulhu culture enthusiasts
    - Reference games: N/A
  - Patient Bug-Fixing PC Tinkerer (sale)
    - Motivation: To make a buggy cult classic run well enough to experience it.
    - Playstyle: Installing patches and mods, using workarounds, avoiding crashes, and troubleshooting before playing.
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: sale
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: N/A
  - Old-School Survival Horror Purist (buy)
    - Motivation: Tension from limited resources, stealth, puzzles, and survival horror dread.
    - Playstyle: Conserving ammo, avoiding combat, solving puzzles, using stealth, and enduring checkpoint saves.
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: N/A
  - Guide-Dependent Newcomer (no buy)
    - Motivation: To experience a horror story with puzzles and occasional escapes, but with external guidance.
    - Playstyle: Following walkthroughs, asking for clear hints, and using trial and error through confusing sections.
    - Experience: newcomer
    - Purchase stance: no buy
    - Labels: beginner player; first playthrough
    - Reference games: N/A


Below are summaries of things people say about the game per category.
Each point is assigned a weight that represents how often it is mentioned across all reviews.
What players like:
- Excellent Lovecraftian atmosphere (weight 0.3): Many reviewers praise the game for capturing the dark, creepy, and immersive atmosphere of H.P. Lovecraft's works. The atmospheric horror is consistently highlighted as a standout feature.
- One of the best Lovecraft games (weight 0.26): Players frequently describe it as the best or one of the best games based on Lovecraft's works. It is considered a top-tier adaptation of his stories.
- Excellent and immersive atmosphere (weight 0.21): The game's atmosphere is widely commended as superb, amazing, and well-executed. It effectively creates a sense of horror and unease.
- Must-play for Lovecraft fans (weight 0.2): Fans of H.P. Lovecraft and the Cthulhu mythos highly recommend the game. It is considered essential for those who enjoy his work.
- Great game overall (weight 0.15): Many reviewers simply state that it is an awesome, great, or excellent game. The general reception is very positive.
- Great story and storytelling (weight 0.12): The narrative is often described as interesting, good, and worth exploring. Reviewers appreciate the compelling storytelling.
- Great sound design (weight 0.1): The sound design, including voice acting and ambient effects, is frequently praised. It contributes to the overall atmosphere.
- Enjoyable and smart puzzles (weight 0.1): The puzzles are described as enjoyable, interesting, and well-made. They require thought and add to the gameplay experience.
- Faithful to Lovecraft's mythos (weight 0.07): The game is praised for its faithful adaptation of Lovecraft's stories and the Cthulhu mythos. It effectively brings the source material to life.
- Innsmouth atmosphere is oppressive (weight 0.06): The depiction of Innsmouth is specifically noted for its genuinely oppressive, mysterious, and unsettling feel. It adds significantly to the horror experience.
- Unique sanity system (weight 0.06): The sanity system is highlighted as a unique mechanic that affects gameplay and story. It enhances immersion and tension.
- Based on multiple Lovecraft stories (weight 0.06): The game draws from several Lovecraft stories such as The Shadow over Innsmouth and The Shadow out of Time. This fidelity to multiple sources is appreciated.
- Good despite being dated (weight 0.06): Some reviewers note that the game is old but still fun and great for its time. It remains enjoyable despite technical limitations.

Common complaints:
- General bugs and glitches abundant (weight 0.38): Players frequently encounter numerous bugs and glitches throughout the game, some of which can thwart playthroughs or make the game unplayable. This is a common complaint across many reviews.
- Community patches required (weight 0.22): The game often requires unofficial community patches to run properly and avoid crashes, especially on modern hardware. Even with patches, some issues may persist.
- Poor combat and enemy AI (weight 0.16): Combat is clunky, with inconsistent enemy behavior and unsatisfying firefights. Enemy AI is often dumb and inconsistent, detracting from the experience.
- Unplayable without fixes (weight 0.15): Many report that the game is nearly impossible to finish without outside fixes or patches. Bugs and crashes make completion extremely difficult.
- Dated graphics (weight 0.12): The graphics are considered outdated and have not aged well, though some find them tolerable. This is a common observation given the game's age.
- Poor PC port quality (weight 0.11): The PC port is widely criticized as bad, with technical problems, poor performance, and a lack of optimization. It is considered one of the worst ports by some reviewers.
- Crashes when alt-tabbing (weight 0.09): Alt-tabbing out of the game causes hard crashes, a specific and frustrating issue reported by multiple players.
- Frustrating save system (weight 0.09): The save system relies on rare checkpoints and manual save points, leading to repeated sections and frustration. Players cannot save at any time.
- Janky and rough (weight 0.09): The game is described as janky and rough around the edges, with poor gameplay experience due to its age.
- Broken stealth and shooting (weight 0.08): Basic mechanics like shooting and stealth are broken or non-functional, further hampering gameplay.
- Inconvenient controls (weight 0.08): Controls are often described as inconvenient and unintuitive, with no interface hints, making the game harder to play.
- Trial and error gameplay (weight 0.08): The game relies heavily on trial and error, often requiring reloading saves and looking up walkthroughs to progress.
- Localization and voice acting issues (weight 0.07): Russian localization and voice acting are criticized as flat, cutting off mid-sentence, and ruining the atmosphere. Some prefer to remove Russian language entirely.
- Sanity mechanic problematic (weight 0.05): The sanity mechanic causes blurred vision and spins the view during combat, leading to deaths and frustration.
- Puzzles nonsensical and confusing (weight 0.04): Puzzles are often incomprehensible and confusing, adding to player frustration.
- Lack of guidance (weight 0.04): The game often fails to provide clear direction, leaving players wandering confused. Quest hints are minimal or absent.
- Awful ship section (weight 0.04): The ship section is particularly bad, with everything from that point onward considered a disgrace by some.
- Redundant healing system (weight 0.04): The healing system is seen as unnecessary because a single button auto-heals everything, making it redundant.

Gameplay feedback:
- Puzzles Are Core Gameplay (weight 0.16): Puzzles are a significant gameplay element, with some being very difficult. They require solving to progress and are integrated into the horror experience.
- First-Person Horror Detective Game (weight 0.14): The game is a first-person horror adventure with detective and investigation elements, featuring shooting and stealth. Players assume the role of a fragile detective facing cosmic horrors.
- Based on Lovecraft's Works (weight 0.14): The game draws inspiration from multiple H.P. Lovecraft stories, especially The Shadow over Innsmouth, Call of Cthulhu, and The Shadow Out of Time. It is a reimagining of Lovecraft's 1936 novella The Shadow over Innsmouth.
- Atmospheric Lovecraftian Setting (weight 0.14): The game features a thick, atmospheric Lovecraftian horror setting. Players explore eldritch locations and encounter cosmic horrors.
- Sanity Mechanic Affects Player (weight 0.13): A sanity system influences the player character, affected by stressful situations and scary events. The game also features a madness mechanic and 3D sound to enhance immersion.
- Mix of Genres and Elements (weight 0.1): The game blends survival horror, FPS, adventure, stealth, and puzzle elements into a unique genre mix. Exploration, combat, and investigation are key components.
- Stealth and Combat Gameplay (weight 0.09): Stealth and shooting are both integral to the gameplay. Players can choose to avoid or engage enemies using stealth or direct combat.
- Story-Driven Horror Campaign (weight 0.09): The game features a campaign-based narrative with a strong focus on story. It is a story-driven horror game based on the Cthulhu mythos.
- First-Person Shooter Elements (weight 0.09): The game includes first-person shooter mechanics with various firearms. Combat involves using weapons like handguns, shotguns, revolvers, and rifles.
- Inventory System (weight 0.08): The game includes a simple inventory system with minimal management. Players can carry weapons and ammunition.
- Exploration of Innsmouth (weight 0.08): The game is set in the town of Innsmouth, allowing players to explore this iconic Lovecraftian location. The environment is integral to the horror experience.
- No Traditional HUD (weight 0.07): The game lacks a traditional HUD or crosshair, increasing immersion. This design choice forces players to rely on visual cues and atmosphere.
- Shift to Shooter Later (weight 0.07): The game transitions from a story-driven experience to a shooter-like segment later on. Some players note that it becomes a shooter for half the game before returning to stealth.
- Survival Horror with Limited Ammo (weight 0.06): Ammunition is scarce and must be conserved, adding tension to combat. The game emphasizes survival horror mechanics with limited resources.
- Boss Fights with Puzzles (weight 0.05): The game includes boss fights that incorporate puzzle elements. These encounters require both combat and problem-solving skills.
- Psychological Investigative Thriller (weight 0.05): The game is a psychological thriller with investigative elements. It focuses on suspense and mental horror rather than pure action.
- Detailed Injury and Healing System (weight 0.04): The healing system requires specific items for specific injuries, such as splints for fractures and sutures for wounds. Healing items include bandages, splints, stitches, and antidotes.
- High Difficulty Level (weight 0.04): The game is known for its high difficulty, appealing to hardcore players. Puzzles and combat can be challenging.
- Dated or Archaic Gameplay (weight 0.04): Some players find the gameplay experience dated or archaic. This may affect enjoyment for those accustomed to modern mechanics.
- Save Points at Specific Locations (weight 0.04): Saving is only possible at specific locations, reminiscent of console-style save points. This can add tension but may frustrate some players.

Performance notes:
- Frequent crashes across platforms (weight 0.22): Players report frequent and consistent crashing, often after about 10 minutes of play, which severely impacts enjoyment and makes the game hard to recommend. Crashes occur on various systems and configurations.
- Crashes at specific points (weight 0.19): The game crashes at specific points such as launch, saving, changing locations, minimizing, the mirror section of the prologue, and during intro videos. These issues prevent progression and require workarounds.
- Patching ineffective on Steam (weight 0.14): Community-made patches often have dead links and do not fix the Steam version due to Steam's programming. Patching, editing, and changing settings frequently fail to resolve crashes and script bugs.
- Poor performance on modern systems (weight 0.08): The game runs poorly on new PCs and lacks optimization for Windows 10 or later. It struggles with newer machines and requires patches to run smoothly.
- Extremely buggy overall (weight 0.08): The game is described as extremely buggy, completely bugged, and having too many bugs. These general complaints highlight the pervasive nature of the issues.
- FPS cap prevents crashes (weight 0.08): Limiting FPS to 60, such as via Nvidia Control Panel, prevents crashes and bugs on modern PCs. Enabling v-sync and triple buffering can also help achieve stable 60 fps.
- Steam overlay causes crashes (weight 0.06): The Steam overlay may not work or may be inaccessible, and enabling it can cause crashes. This is a recurring issue tied to Steam functionality.
- Stable on Steam Deck (weight 0.04): No bugs were encountered on Steam Deck when using Proton Experimental, and the game is reported as very stable in that environment. This contrasts with widespread issues on other platforms.

Recommendations:
- Recommended for Lovecraft fans (weight 0.34): The game is highly praised by fans of H.P. Lovecraft and Lovecraftian horror. Reviewers say it is a must-play for anyone who enjoys the Cthulhu Mythos or cosmic horror.
- Steam version is buggy (weight 0.33): Multiple reviewers warn that the Steam version crashes frequently and may not run properly without community patches. They advise using fixes or buying the GOG version instead.
- Buy the GOG version (weight 0.32): Many reviewers strongly recommend purchasing the game on GOG rather than Steam because the GOG edition includes fixes and works on modern Windows systems. The Steam version is often described as buggy or non-functional.
- Use community fixes (weight 0.24): Reviewers advise using community patches or step-by-step guides to make the game playable. They say you should not start playing without these fixes.
- Recommended despite bugs (weight 0.18): Some players still recommend the game even though it has technical issues, saying the experience is worth it if you can tolerate bugs. They often mention that the flaws can be forgiven.
- Not recommended for everyone (weight 0.12): Some reviewers do not recommend the game to a broad audience due to its technical state or because it is not suitable for casual players. They suggest it only for specific types of players.
- Great for horror enthusiasts (weight 0.08): The game is considered a classic and essential for fans of horror. Reviewers say it is one of the best horror games ever made.
- Requires patience and tolerance (weight 0.07): Reviewers note that the game demands patience and a tolerance for technical issues. However, they say it offers an excellent experience for those who persist.
- Good for Cthulhu enthusiasts (weight 0.06): A few reviewers recommend the game specifically for those deeply interested in Cthulhu mythos media. They say it is best for heavy enthusiasts of the culture.
- Positive but with caveats (weight 0.05): Some reviewers recommend the game but with reservations about crashes or other flaws. They say it would be an easy recommendation if it were not so buggy.
- Worth getting on sale (weight 0.04): A few reviewers suggest waiting for a discount before buying the game. They think it is worth the price only when on sale.

Other player notes:
- Unofficial patches are essential (weight 0.32): Many reviewers state that unofficial patches are required to make the game playable, clear it, or run properly on modern systems. These patches fix numerous bugs and crashes, often enabling a stable playthrough.
- Based on Lovecraft's works (weight 0.31): The game is heavily inspired by H.P. Lovecraft's mythos, with many noting specific influences from 'The Shadow over Innsmouth' and other stories. It is considered a notable entry in Lovecraftian horror.
- Steam version is broken (weight 0.3): The Steam version is widely reported as buggy and broken, with many urging Steam to fix it or recommending other versions. It is criticized for remaining in a broken state and being inferior to other releases.
- GOG version is superior (weight 0.25): The GOG version is frequently recommended over Steam because it includes preinstalled fixes and community patches, runs flawlessly, and works without manual adjustments. Many reviewers prefer GOG for a hassle-free experience.
- Released in mid-2000s (weight 0.19): The game was released around 2005-2006, with some variations in reported years. It is an older title, which contributes to compatibility issues on modern systems.
- Set in Innsmouth (weight 0.13): The plot centers on detective Jack investigating a disappearance in the town of Innsmouth, closely following Lovecraft's 'The Shadow over Innsmouth'. This setting is a key element praised by reviewers.
- Published by Bethesda (weight 0.1): Bethesda Softworks is commonly mentioned as the publisher, sometimes alongside 2K. The developer is Headfirst Productions.
- Steam patch requires workaround (weight 0.04): The unofficial patch for the Steam version requires replacing the original executable with a non-Steam version. This extra step is often necessary to apply fixes.
- Sequel cancelled (weight 0.04): A planned sequel was cancelled due to the studio's bankruptcy. This left the story unresolved and disappointed fans.
- Xbox and PC versions (weight 0.04): Reviewers mention playing on Xbox and PC, noting that the PC version has better graphics. The Xbox version is less commonly discussed.
- Cheap on Steam (weight 0.04): The game is inexpensive on Steam, often priced at $5 or less. Its low cost is sometimes mentioned as a redeeming factor.

Emotions:
- Frustration (weight 0.27): Frustration is overwhelmingly driven by severe technical problems, including frequent crashes, game-breaking bugs, and a buggy Steam/PC version that often requires unofficial patches and workarounds to run. These issues are compounded by poor checkpointing, unclear objectives, restrictive trial-and-error puzzles, and janky controls that repeatedly block progress or force restarts.
- Disappointment (weight 0.17): Disappointment stems from the game failing to sustain its strong Lovecraftian atmosphere, devolving into a generic shooter and becoming technically broken with bugs, crashes, and poor ports. Many players also cite an unfinished story, weak later sections, and an inability to finish due to game-breaking issues despite wanting to enjoy it.
- Appreciation (weight 0.06): Appreciation centers on the game's exceptional Lovecraftian atmosphere, unique mythos exploration, and a faithful, immersive adaptation of Lovecraft's stories. Fans value its intriguing story, tense horror-adventure design, and the way it captures the dark, creepy tone of the source material.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.04): Enjoyment comes from the game's immersive Lovecraftian world, engaging story, sanity mechanics, and strategic combat, which create a compelling and atmospheric survival-horror experience. Players also appreciate the sense of accomplishment, power fantasy, and the fact that it remains fun despite technical flaws.
- Fear (weight 0.04): Fear is generated by the game's oppressive atmosphere, unsettling sound design, and psychologically terrifying Lovecraftian horror, which create paranoia and cosmic dread. Specific scary moments, creepy characters, and an inexplicable world make it a genuinely frightening experience, even on repeat playthroughs.
- Immersion (weight 0.03): Immersion is achieved through a HUD-free first-person view, realistic sound design, and the sanity system that simulates hallucinations and mental aberrations. The dark, atmospheric world of Innsmouth and the absence of on-screen elements help players feel fully present inside a fragile mind.
- Love (weight 0.03): Love for the game is rooted in its perfect capture of cosmic horror, strong story, and the magnificent dark atmosphere of the Innsmouth episodes. Many players have a deep personal connection, having played it on Xbox or as a child, and consider it the best Call of Cthulhu game.
- Admiration (weight 0.03): Admiration is driven by the game's unmatched atmosphere, faithful portrayal of Lovecraftian cosmic horror, and its enduring quality after 20 years. Fans regard it as one of the best horror games ever made, praising its madness mechanic, design, and excellent OST.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.02): Satisfaction comes from overcoming the game's technical issues and difficulty, with players enjoying the atmosphere, gunplay, and Cthulhu-themed story. Solving difficult puzzles, experiencing the vision and sanity systems, and finally beating the game after years all contribute to a fulfilling experience.
- Engagement (weight 0.02): Engagement is fueled by a book-like story that draws players into the protagonist's world, supported by exceptional voice acting and enveloping audio. The intriguing narrative and superb storytelling make players want to discover the truth and continue playing non-stop.
- Annoyance (weight 0.02): Annoyance arises from restrictive movement like walking instead of running, unclear objectives that require walkthroughs, and exaggerated visual distortion effects. Repeated attempts to jump through windows and a cumbersome inventory also contribute to player irritation.
- Excitement (weight 0.01): Excitement is generated by Lovecraftian references to Cthulhu and Dagon, great action-horror gameplay, and variety that makes the heart beat faster. The game's ability to make players jump off their chair adds to the thrilling experience.
- Nostalgia (weight 0.01): Nostalgia stems from replaying the game with enhancements that feel like the first time, as well as childhood memories of the hotel escape in Innsmouth and playing on PS2. Many players have fond memories connected to this wonderful game.
- Interest (weight 0.01): Interest is sparked by the story and Lovecraft atmosphere, which appeal to immersive sim lovers. The healing mechanics and effects of seeing strange things, along with a captivating and intriguing game, keep players curious.
- Amusement (weight 0.01): Amusement comes from unintentionally funny moments, dissonant line delivery, and the main character's voice. The game's atmosphere and style, despite flaws, and a laughable default key layout also provide entertainment.
- Tension (weight 0.01): Tension is built through the hotel escape sequence and the helplessness it creates, as well as not knowing how far the next save is or if a medkit is nearby. The continuous vibrating tension and dark mood, combined with fear of dying before a save point, keep players on edge.
- Exhaustion (weight 0.01): Exhaustion results from the game mentally draining players with its difficulty and bugs, often making it too exhausting to finish. Trying to fix the game and push through its issues stretches patience to the limit.
- Relief (weight 0.01): Relief is felt upon finally completing the game after many attempts and despite bugs and mechanical problems. The game working properly on GOG.com also provides a sense of relief from technical struggles.
- Disgust (weight 0.01): Disgust is caused by terrible game design and gameplay that becomes unplayable after the first act, as well as crude violence involving children. These elements evoke strong negative reactions, including feeling sick.
- Awe (weight 0.01): Awe is inspired by the oppressive, mysterious, and unsettling atmosphere of Innsmouth, which maintains a constant sense of dread. The game's mastery of horror and its faithful capture of reading H.P. Lovecraft stories make it magnificent when fully immersed.}