Info about Elder Sign: Omens:

Official game description:
Elder Sign: Omens is a digital version of the popular board game by Fantasy Flight Games. Build a team of unique investigators and fight to keep an all-powerful Ancient One from invading our world! Explore museums, oceans, deserts and more for the arcane Elder Signs that will help seal the Ancient One away.  
Greenlit by the Steam community, the award-winning mobile game Elder Sign: Omens is now available for Steam. This package includes all of the content from the mobile game including the premium paid expansion content.
Key Features
------------
*   All downloadable expansion content included in a single package
*   Over 30 different investigators, each with their own unique ability
*   Over 200 adventures spread across the world
*   7 Different Ancient Ones with varying degrees of difficulty

Release date: Nov 27, 2013

Categories: Board Game Adaptation, Dice-based Gameplay, Lovecraftian Horror, Single-player, Card-based Gameplay, Investigator Team Selection, Glyph Matching

Feature scans:
- Proton/Linux: score 10; verdict: Works Well; summary: The Linux-specific evidence is uniformly positive: users report native Linux availability, smooth operation on Ubuntu, and good performance on slower hardware. No Proton tweaks, launch failures, anti-cheat friction, or Linux driver blockers are reported. Other complaints concern game design and board-game adaptation rather than Linux compatibility.
- Steam Deck: score 15; verdict: Seamless; summary: The reviews provide positive evidence for Steam Deck readiness: the game is reported to work well on Linux, run acceptably on slower hardware, and offer touchscreen-friendly controls. No technical barriers such as Proton tinkering, external launchers, unreadable text, battery drain, anti-cheat problems, or crashes are mentioned.

- Hardware Profile: No data
Feature extractions:
- Community Price:
  - Community fair range: $5.00 - $10.00
  - Reasoning: The reviews repeatedly treat the current higher price as too much for the amount of content and play time, while describing $5-$6 as fair value and $10 or less as an acceptable sale threshold. Although a few players are satisfied at full price, the dominant price sentiment clusters around a lower base-game value, so the community fair range is estimated at $5-$10.
- Playtime Metrics:
  - Game completion: 28.0h
  - Story completion: N/A
  - Session length: 0.8h
  - Endgame: 160.0h
  - Reasoning: GameCompletion is set to 28 hours because one reviewer explicitly reports playing 28 hours of Elder Sign: Omens to beat all the Ancient Ones. StoryCompletion is null because the reviews do not provide a separate story or campaign completion duration; the 28-hour report covers beating all Ancient Ones. SessionLength is set to 0.75 hours based on the report that a single game lasts between 30 and 45 minutes, using the upper end as a single practical number. Endgame is set to 160 hours because one reviewer reports still wanting more content after more than 160 hours, and another reports 51+ hours beyond the initial assumption of completing each board once, supporting a long replay tail.
- Time-to-fun:
  - Summary: The game tends to click after players understand how to succeed; before that, the poor tutorial and steep learning curve are the main friction. Reports conflict, with some finding it fun quickly and others finding it repetitive or never fun.
  - Stance: Clicks after
  - Anchor: Understanding how to be successful
  - Time to anchor: N/A
  - Friction: poor or missing in-game tutorial; steep learning curve with complex rules; luck-heavy dice rolls that can feel unfair; clunky mobile-port interface; no online multiplayer or full co-op; repetitive missions and limited variety
  - Unlock drivers: understanding how to succeed at the game; looking up official game overview videos; playing same-screen co-op or hot-seat with friends; solo play without tabletop setup
  - Conditions: prior familiarity with the board game; tolerance for randomness and luck; enjoyment of Lovecraftian/Cthulhu theme; patience with the steep learning curve; willingness to watch tutorial or overview videos; access to local friends for same-screen or hot-seat play; expecting a solo experience rather than online multiplayer; playing in short doses to limit repetition
- Player Archetypes:
  - Solo Board-Game Convert (buy)
    - Motivation: Convenient solo play with deep replayability and strategy without tabletop setup.
    - Playstyle: Plays solo, controls multiple investigators, and optimizes moves and dice probabilities.
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: solo players
    - Reference games: Elder Sign; Solitaire
  - Luck-Tolerant Dice Strategist (buy)
    - Motivation: Challenge and mastery through dice odds, strategy, and difficult encounters.
    - Playstyle: Calculates probabilities, adjusts strategy, and tolerates swingy luck while pursuing better outcomes.
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: hardcore gamer
    - Reference games: N/A
  - Curious Newcomer (deep sale)
    - Motivation: Low-commitment curiosity about the board game and casual Cthulhu-themed dice play.
    - Playstyle: Casual short sessions with external tutorial help, often trying the game to evaluate a tabletop purchase.
    - Experience: newcomer
    - Purchase stance: deep sale
    - Labels: beginner
    - Reference games: N/A
  - Co-op Social Player (sale)
    - Motivation: Shared social co-op play and recreating the tabletop group experience.
    - Playstyle: Plays local same-screen co-op with friends and wants online multiplayer or remote play support.
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: sale
    - Labels: N/A
    - 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 Board Game Adaptation (weight 0.31): Players consistently praise the digital version as a faithful and well-executed adaptation of the original board game, capturing its core mechanics and feel.
- Strong Lovecraftian Atmosphere (weight 0.24): The Lovecraftian theme and atmosphere are well realized, immersive, and highly atmospheric, appealing to fans of the mythos.
- Fun and Enjoyable Gameplay (weight 0.23): The game is widely described as very fun, entertaining, and addictive, providing an enjoyable experience for players.
- Great Solo Play Option (weight 0.15): Many players appreciate the solo mode, which allows enjoying the board game without needing others, solving the problem of finding players.
- Appeals to Lovecraft Fans (weight 0.15): The game is particularly recommended for H.P. Lovecraft and Call of Cthulhu enthusiasts, offering a must-have experience for fans.
- Outstanding Artwork (weight 0.14): The art quality is frequently highlighted as excellent, with nice paintings and solidly done visuals that enhance the overall experience.
- Good Music and Sound (weight 0.12): The music and sound effects are well done, contributing to a creepy and atmospheric experience.
- High Replayability (weight 0.1): The game offers deep replayability with varied scenarios and outcomes, keeping players engaged over multiple sessions.
- Easy to Learn (weight 0.09): The game is relatively easy to learn, making it accessible for newcomers while still offering depth.
- Faithful Dice Game Adaptation (weight 0.06): The digital version successfully reproduces the fun of the dice-rolling board game, with one of the best dice game adaptations.
- Strategic and Tactical Depth (weight 0.06): The game provides fun and challenging strategic gameplay, combining tactics with board game elements.
- Luck and Skill Balance (weight 0.06): The game blends luck and strategy, making it winnable with skill but still heavily influenced by chance.
- Simple yet Functional Mechanics (weight 0.05): The mechanics are straightforward but effective, providing a solid gameplay experience.
- Card-Based System Works Well (weight 0.05): The card-based gameplay is a fine adaptation of the classic card game, playing similarly to the original.

Common complaints:
- Heavy reliance on RNG (weight 0.29): Many players find the game overwhelmingly dependent on random outcomes, which often leads to frustration. The randomness is perceived as central to gameplay and can make success feel out of the player's control.
- Game is very difficult (weight 0.19): Many users describe the game as hard or insanely difficult, with frequent losses and a steep challenge even on easy settings. The difficulty can be frustrating for new players.
- No multiplayer support (weight 0.15): A common complaint is the absence of any multiplayer mode, including online play and local hotseat. Players miss the social experience of playing with others around a table.
- Differs from board game (weight 0.15): The digital version is often compared unfavorably to the physical board game, with reviewers noting missing components, rule changes, and an overall harder feel. Some say it barely scratches the surface of the tabletop experience.
- RNG feels rigged against player (weight 0.14): Several reviews state that the random number generator appears biased, with dice rolls and other outcomes frequently favoring the game over the player. This perceived unfairness exacerbates frustration.
- Luck can ruin strategies (weight 0.14): Randomness frequently overrides careful planning, leading to losses that feel undeserved. Players express frustration when luck, not skill, determines the outcome.
- Steep learning curve (weight 0.12): The game is hard to grasp quickly, especially for those unfamiliar with the board game. Tutorials are often unhelpful, and the interface can be confusing.
- Repetitive gameplay (weight 0.08): Some players find the game becomes boring after repeated plays due to a lack of variety. The repetitive nature reduces long-term enjoyment.
- Clunky and non-intuitive interface (weight 0.07): The user interface is described as wonky, clunky, and user-unfriendly, making navigation and gameplay less smooth than desired.
- Not worth the price (weight 0.06): Several reviewers consider the game overpriced for the content offered, stating it is not worth the money at various price points.
- Not fun to play (weight 0.04): A few reviewers simply state the game is not enjoyable, often citing frustration and lack of fun as primary reasons.
- Too hard to progress (weight 0.04): Some players feel stuck and unable to advance in the game, citing insurmountable difficulty. This leads to abandonment.
- Lacks achievements tracking (weight 0.04): The absence of an achievement system to track which Ancient Ones have been defeated is a minor but noted flaw.
- Cannot choose investigator count (weight 0.04): Players desire the option to select the number of investigators (1-8) but currently cannot, restricting gameplay flexibility.
- Game abandoned by developer (weight 0.04): Some users report that the game has been abandoned by its developer, with no further updates or support. This affects long-term engagement.

Gameplay feedback:
- Digital board game adaptation (weight 0.51): The game is a digital adaptation of a physical board game, specifically the Elder Sign board game, allowing players to experience the tabletop game electronically.
- Dice-rolling core mechanic (weight 0.4): Gameplay revolves around rolling dice to determine outcomes, with mechanics similar to Yahtzee, often requiring specific symbols or combinations.
- High randomness and luck (weight 0.3): Outcomes are heavily dependent on random dice rolls and RNG, making luck a significant factor in gameplay.
- Single-player only (weight 0.26): The game is designed for solo play only, with no multiplayer support, although it is a port of a cooperative board game.
- Investigator team selection (weight 0.23): Players choose a team of four investigators, each with unique abilities and equipment, to undertake adventures.
- Lovecraftian theme (weight 0.17): The game is set in the Cthulhu mythos, with an atmospheric Lovecraftian theme and ancient ones as adversaries.
- Character abilities and variety (weight 0.14): The game features multiple characters with distinct special abilities and roles that can be synergized.
- Glyph matching adventures (weight 0.1): Adventures require players to roll dice to match specific glyph combinations to complete tasks and seal elder signs.
- Digital card game adaptation (weight 0.06): The game also incorporates card game mechanics, playing like a digital adaptation of a card game.
- Easy difficulty setting (weight 0.05): The game offers an easy difficulty setting for players seeking a less challenging experience.
- Monsters as obstacles (weight 0.05): Monsters appear as obstacles that can be defeated for points, adding conflict to the gameplay.

Performance notes:
- Save system crashes on load (weight 0.03): Loading a saved game systematically causes the game to crash, making progress unreliable.
- High GPU usage despite simple graphics (weight 0.03): The game uses 100% of the GPU even though the graphics are not that good, suggesting inefficiency.
- Excessive power consumption (weight 0.03): The game is excessively power hungry despite low PC requirements, leading to high energy use.
- Poor optimization causes fan noise (weight 0.03): Desktop fans start whirling, indicating poor optimization that strains hardware.
- Glitches on Windows 10 (weight 0.03): Players experience glitches on Windows 10, affecting gameplay stability.
- Blurry upscaled assets at 1080p (weight 0.03): Assets are upscaled rather than true HD, resulting in blurry visuals at 1080p resolution.
- Runs well on M1 MacBook (weight 0.02): The game runs fine on an M1 MacBook Pro, indicating good compatibility with Apple Silicon.
- Works great on Ubuntu Linux (weight 0.02): The game works great on Ubuntu Linux with Intel and AMD cards using the Unity engine.

Recommendations:
- Lovecraft fans highly recommend (weight 0.28): Many reviewers strongly recommend the game to H.P. Lovecraft and Cthulhu mythos enthusiasts. It is seen as a must-have for those who enjoy Lovecraftian horror.
- Board game fans enjoy (weight 0.27): Fans of the original board game and similar titles like Arkham Horror recommend this digital adaptation. It appeals to those who enjoy tabletop games and the Cthulhu theme.
- Wait for sale (weight 0.16): Many suggest waiting for a discount before purchasing. The game is considered a good deal when on sale, though some find it not worth full price.
- RNG may frustrate (weight 0.12): Players who dislike luck-based outcomes or get frustrated easily may not enjoy the game. It is recommended for those who can tolerate randomness.
- Not recommended by some (weight 0.1): Some reviewers do not recommend buying or playing the game, advising to save money. They feel it is not worth the cost.
- Buy physical instead (weight 0.08): Some reviewers suggest buying the physical board game instead, as it is more fun with friends, despite being more expensive.
- Generally recommended (weight 0.08): Many reviewers give a simple recommendation without specific conditions. They find the game fully recommendable.
- Dice luck game fans (weight 0.06): Players who enjoy dice luck games and don't get upset over random outcomes highly recommend it. It suits those who like randomness.
- Not for casual players (weight 0.06): The game is not recommended for casual board game players or those who dislike board games. It requires strong nerves and is suited for enthusiasts.
- Good for solo play (weight 0.06): Reviewers recommend it for solo players, especially when internet is down. It offers fun solo gameplay for those who don't mind playing alone.
- Good for horror strategy fans (weight 0.04): Fans of strategy and horror genres may enjoy this game. It combines board game mechanics with horror stories.
- Try before board game (weight 0.04): It is recommended for those who want to try the digital version before buying the physical board game. It helps players understand the mechanics.
- Ideal for short sessions (weight 0.04): The game is good for casual playtime in short sessions. It offers low-pressure play suitable for casual gaming.

Other player notes:
- Elder Sign Board Game (weight 0.37): The game is a digital adaptation of the Elder Sign board game published by Fantasy Flight Games. It is specifically a port of the dice game and is part of Fantasy Flight's Cthulhu board game series.
- Harder than Tabletop (weight 0.2): Several reviewers find the digital version harder than the physical board game. Some compare the difficulty unfavorably to Dark Souls for being rage-inducing.
- Faithful to Board Game (weight 0.19): Players note that the digital version is very faithful to the original board game, with some describing it as doing justice to the physical adaptation. However, others feel it is superficially similar but not exactly the same.
- Compared to Arkham Horror (weight 0.14): Reviewers compare the game to Arkham Horror, noting it has less depth than Arkham Horror and Mansions of Madness. Some describe it as a mini version of Arkham Horror.
- Cheaper than Physical (weight 0.14): The digital version is significantly cheaper than the physical card and dice game. It offers more content than the physical board game box at a lower price.
- Mobile Port (weight 0.13): The game is a port of the mobile version, which is also available on Android and iOS. Phone versions are owned by some reviewers.
- Includes Expansions and DLC (weight 0.11): The Steam edition bundles all released expansions and includes DLC from the mobile version. Several tabletop expansions are built into the base game.
- Published by Fantasy Flight (weight 0.08): The game is published by Fantasy Flight Games, known for their Cthulhu-themed board games. It is set in the Arkham Files universe.
- Less Fun than Board Game (weight 0.07): Some reviewers find the video game fine but not as great as the board game, considering the board game more fun. Others prefer the digital version for its convenience.
- Missing Features (weight 0.07): The game lacks DLC to include all board game expansions and does not support Steam Workshop or cloud saves.
- Solo Variant Adaptation (weight 0.06): The game adapts rules from the solo play variant of the physical board game. It can be used to learn or practice rules for the physical board game.
- Demo for Physical Game (weight 0.04): The digital version serves as a way to try the game before buying the physical version. It is seen as a demo or substitute for the tabletop game.
- 10-20+ Hours Playtime (weight 0.04): The game offers more than ten hours of gameplay, with playtime varying depending on luck and experience. Some report 10-20+ hours.
- Clearer Rules than Board Game (weight 0.04): The PC version is considered easier than the board game because the rules are clearer. It provides a clearer version of the rules.
- Help Section Included (weight 0.04): The game includes a help section that explains the interface and rules. This aids players in understanding the game mechanics.
- Call of Cthulhu Adaptation (weight 0.04): It is an adaptation of a Call of Cthulhu board game and other Fantasy Flight tabletop games. The game is part of the Call of Cthulhu universe.
- Passable PC Port (weight 0.04): Compared to the board game, it is considered a passable PC port. It is a PC version of a board game, but not outstanding.

Emotions:
- Frustration (weight 0.26): Players are frustrated by the game's heavy reliance on random dice rolls and glyph draws, which often cause failure despite good strategy and favorable odds. This is compounded by missing tutorials, clunky interfaces, and perceived unfair mechanics that make progression feel arbitrary and punishing.
- Disappointment (weight 0.13): Disappointment stems from the game failing to meet expectations set by the physical board game, with missing features like multiplayer, expansions, and proper tutorials. Poor graphics, sound, and interface quality, along with an unfinished feel, contribute to the letdown.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.11): Players enjoy the faithful adaptation of the Elder Sign board game, appreciating its strategic gameplay, atmospheric music, and Lovecraftian theme. The fun comes from the challenge, replayability, and the tension of dice-based decisions.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.07): Satisfaction arises from overcoming difficult odds, mastering the game's strategy, and finally defeating Ancient Ones after hard-fought battles. The authentic board game experience and deep, rewarding gameplay make victories feel earned.
- Appreciation (weight 0.03): Players appreciate the game's Lovecraftian atmosphere, high-quality art, music, and sound effects, as well as its faithful implementation of the board game's mechanics. The thematic presentation and engaging puzzle-solving elements are highly valued.
- Love (weight 0.03): Love for the game is driven by its successful digital adaptation of the board game, the compelling Lovecraftian atmosphere, and the joy of solo play. Fans cherish the game's ability to deliver the board game experience without needing other players.
- Excitement (weight 0.02): Excitement is fueled by the game's availability on Steam with expansions, the thrilling randomness and stress of dice rolls, and the atmospheric horror that keeps players engaged. The prospect of playing on a larger screen and the game's replayability add to the enthusiasm.
- Boredom (weight 0.02): Boredom results from repetitive gameplay, excessive dice rolling without meaningful story or strategy, and the arbitrary doom token mechanic. The lack of variety and engaging content leads to a sense of monotony.
- Annoyance (weight 0.02): Annoyance is caused by interface issues like repeated clicking for information, endless popup windows, and local save data loss. Randomness working against the player and unpolished transitions also contribute to irritation.
- Confusion (weight 0.02): Confusion is primarily due to the lack of a tutorial, unclear icons, and feeling lost in progression, making it difficult for new players to understand how to play correctly. Advertised content not being easily found adds to the bewilderment.
- Fun (weight 0.01): Fun is derived from the solo Yahtzee-style gameplay, role-playing as investigators, and the engaging glyph puzzles and item systems. Even losing can be fun due to entertaining cutscenes and the overall enjoyable experience.
- Addiction (weight 0.01): Addiction is driven by the game's 'one more quick game' quality, the tantalizing nearness to goals, and the desire to beat all Ancient Ones. Discovering successful strategies and the addictive nature of the gameplay keep players coming back.
- Enthusiasm (weight 0.01): Enthusiasm comes from the great narrative and fun dice gameplay, the Lovecraftian theme, and the overall cool factor of the game. Players enjoy the artwork, mechanics, and atmosphere, and desire a physical edition and multiplayer.
- Anger (weight 0.01): Anger is provoked by perceived rigged difficulty, removed rules, and impossible missions that make players give up. Cheating dice results, badly implemented skills, and the removal of skill-based elements feel like a waste of money.
- Immersion (weight 0.01): Immersion is achieved through the atmospheric soundtrack, Lovecraftian horror elements, and graphics, music, and sound effects that fit the theme. The game draws players into its world despite flaws.
- Mild frustration (weight 0.01): Mild frustration arises from a clunky inventory system, wonky interface with non-obvious actions, and randomness in outcomes. The difficulty and luck-based nature can be frustrating but not overwhelmingly so.
- Admiration (weight 0.01): Admiration is felt for the beautiful graphics, sound, and atmosphere, and the game is considered one of the best adaptations of its board game original. Gorgeous Lovecraftian art and excellent narrative and sound design are highlights.
- Hope (weight 0.01): Hope is expressed for the game to be fixed and updated with multiplayer, expansions for missing Great Old Ones, and similar adaptations of other board games like Eldritch Horror. Players wish for continued support and improvements.
- Engagement (weight 0.01): Engagement is maintained by the game always feeling new, keeping players guessing, and the absorbing challenge and campaign design. The atmosphere and design encourage players to play for hours.
- Dislike (weight 0.01): Dislike is centered on the luck-based dice gameplay and the randomness of the game, which some players do not enjoy stylistically. The style and reliance on chance are off-putting.}