Info about Tales of Maj'Eyal - Forbidden Cults:

Official game description:
_Not all adventurers seek fortune, not all that defend the world have good deeds in mind.  
Lately the number of sightings of horrors have grown tremendously. People wander off the beaten paths only to be found years later, horribly mutated and partly insane, if they are found at all. It is becoming evident something is stirring deep below Maj'Eyal.  
That something is you._  
**Forbidden Cults** is a big expansion for Tales of Maj'Eyal to let you explore the horrors that lurk beneath the surface, to delve in long lost knowledge and lore and as usual to die a lot!  
**Forbidden Cults** makes two new classes available to play:  
*   **Writhing One**: Give in to the corrupting forces and turn yourself gradually into an horror, summon horrors to do your bidding, shed your skin and melt your face to assault your foes. With your arm already turned into a tentacle, what creature can stop you?  
*   **Cultist of Entropy**: Using its insanity and control of entropic forces to unravel the normal laws of physic this caster class can turn healing into attacks and call upon the forces of the void to reduce its foes to dust.
Both those classes use a new resource called _Insanity_ that gradually makes you both more chaotic and powerful as it fills up.  
**Forbidden Cults** makes two new races available to play:  
*   **Drem**: A corrupt subrace of dwarves, that somehow managed to keep a shred of sanity to not fully devolve into mindless horrors. They can enter a frenzy and even learn to summon horrors.  
*   **Krog**: Ogres transformed by the very thing that should kill them. Their powerful attacks can stun their foes and they are so strong they can dual wield any one handed weapons.
**Forbidden Cults** adds many new zones for you to explore and die in:  
*   **Kroshkkur**: An ancient Sher'tul Fortress laying half in ruins that serves as a focal point, and home, for all kinds of creatures seeking lost knowledge.  
*   **The Maggot**: A huge living corrupted worm about to destroy Kroshkkur! Teleport inside and save your sanctuary of horrors!  
*   **The Godfeaster**: Deep undergroud the ground shakes as ... _\-- redacted by corrupt forces --_  
*   **The Scourge Pits**: On the south of the Iron Throne lays a fool pit of ... _\-- redacted by corrupt forces --_  
*   **Forbidden Tomes**: Find special artifact books of ancient lore. But, read at your own peril, for the story they tell may very well **suck you in**... quite literally.  
    Maybe you will even find _The One That Writes_...  
*   **Occult Egress**: A strange, extremely old, contraption of unknown origin. It seems to require some kind of code sequence to activate. Maybe you will find some during your adventures?  
*   **The Entropic Void**: So you think you are strong? Powerful? Invulnerable? In the end, entropy always wins, as you will learn...
What would an expansion about horrors be without a bunch of new horrors to torment you with? Please give a warm welcome to:  
*   **Searing Horrors**: You liked luminous horrors? You loved radiant horrors? You will absolutely adore their searing big brothers!  
*   **Nethergates**: It sleeps. Maybe it should stay that way.  
*   **Netherworms**: Vampiric worm masses that are bound to tickle your fancy! And tickle hard.  
*   **Fearful Symmetry**: Geometry has never been so lively!  
*   **Entropic Shards**: Take an entropic crystal, shatter it with tentacles. And die.  
*   : And more ...
_"DarkGod, is that all?"_ Obviously not! You will also find your usual addition of:  
*   **Lore**: Delve into the dark forgotten secrets of the world, where sanity is a very tenuous idea.  
*   **Artifacts**: Discover new objects of power and use them to further your own goals.  
*   **New wyrmic tree**: Unlock the _scourge drake_ for your wyrmics.  
*   **Glass Golem**: Unlock the _glass golem_ option for your alchemists.  
*   **Events**: Discover new strange contraptions in familiar zones. What could go wrong?  
*   **Achievements**: Because there can never be enough!

Release date: May 16, 2018

Categories: Traditional Roguelike, Turn-based RPG, Dark Fantasy, Occult Gameplay, Class-Based Progression, Permadeath, Procedural Generation, Expansion Pack


- Hardware Profile: No data
Feature extractions:
- Community Price: No data
- Playtime Metrics:
  - Game completion: N/A
  - Story completion: N/A
  - Session length: N/A
  - Endgame: N/A
  - Reasoning: The provided reviews discuss DLC content, classes, races, lore, difficulty, and pricing. None state hours played, completion time, session duration, or endgame duration for Tales of Maj'Eyal - Forbidden Cults. One reviewer says they have not tried the DLC yet, and others describe enjoyment without numeric playtime. Therefore there is insufficient evidence for any playtime metric, and all remain null.
- Time-to-fun: No data
- Player Archetypes:
  - Veteran Dungeon Grinder (buy)
    - Motivation: To escape repetitive base-game dungeon grinding with fresh, themed dungeons.
    - Playstyle: Repeatedly delves and grinds dungeons across normal playthroughs, seeking variety.
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: N/A
  - Expansion Enthusiast (buy)
    - Motivation: To acquire and support all expansions while using new items and swords in dungeons.
    - Playstyle: Plays through all expansions, collects new items, and accesses new dungeons.
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: N/A
  - Hardcore ToME Masochist (buy)
    - Motivation: To exhaustively master ToME and embrace brutal, masochistic difficulty.
    - Playstyle: Hardcore completionist runs focused on exhaustive content and punishing challenges.
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: masochists; fans
    - 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:
- Deep class complexity and uniqueness (weight 0.62): Reviewers highlight that the new classes are incredibly unique and complex, with praise for the creator's ability to make such intricate classes alone. One class combines summoning, AoE, and melee power, with interesting interactions.
- New classes praised as fun (weight 0.48): Multiple reviewers highlight that the new classes are fun to play and remain unique. The classes are described as very fun and the content stays engaging.
- Expansion is phenomenal and solid (weight 0.38): Players consistently describe the expansion as phenomenal, very cool, and a very solid expansion pack. This positive sentiment is repeated across several reviews.
- Unique encounters and enemies (weight 0.34): The DLC features unique encounters like a giant worm that can swallow you in town, creating a dangerous encounter. Stomach acid boosts resistances of monsters inside the worm, and a stranger asks you to defeat the worm but dies madly.
- DLC adds more than classes (weight 0.26): The DLC is noted to add much more than just new classes, and it provides additional content that is never too much. This suggests a substantial expansion of the game's offerings.
- TOME offers immense depth (weight 0.26): A reviewer notes that TOME has more depth and content in a single class than most games have in their entirety. The expansion adds more of everything to an already overwhelming experience.
- Base game remains excellent (weight 0.25): Reviewers express love for the base game and call it excellent, indicating a strong foundation that the DLC builds upon.
- Notable new items and dungeons (weight 0.22): The DLC adds items in addition to new swords that allow access to dungeons. These items can be found randomly in 'embers of rage'.
- Post-release content updates boost confidence (weight 0.15): The DLC has received content updates after release, which increases confidence in recommending it.
- Artifact classes and features interesting (weight 0.14): The addition of artifact classes and other new features is described as interesting, sparking curiosity among players.
- Lovecraftian theme adds variety (weight 0.14): The Lovecraftian theme gives good variety and fits in well with the game, as mentioned by a reviewer.
- New dungeons well themed (weight 0.14): The new dungeons are really well themed and provide a nice mix-up from the usual dungeons, according to one review.
- New locations and items (weight 0.14): The DLC introduces new locations and items, expanding the game world.
- Improved tiles and art (weight 0.13): The tiles and other art for this DLC are much improved over the base game, according to one review.
- DLC is funny and humorous (weight 0.13): The DLC is described as funny, indicating that it includes humorous elements that players enjoy.
- Play as horror creature (weight 0.13): The DLC allows players to play as a horror creature, adding a unique and frightening option.
- Reviewer's favorite DLC (weight 0.13): One reviewer states that this is their favorite DLC, indicating strong personal preference.
- Adds story of Forgotten Cult (weight 0.13): The DLC expands the story with the Forgotten Cult, adding narrative depth.

Common complaints:
- Frequent errors and bugs (weight 0.66): Players report numerous bugs and error screens after installing the Forbidden Cults DLC, including black screens, unloaded locations, and frequent error screens. These issues often block progression and make the game unplayable.
- Troublesome horror enemies (weight 0.37): Added horror enemies have troublesome abilities like abnormal multiplication and area damage floor placement. In dark dungeons, multiplying slimes can wall you off with meat and kill you from range with disease and saw wave attacks.
- Location loading progression blocks (weight 0.28): Bugs with locations not loading prevent progress, sometimes near the finale or on different characters. One specific bug traps anti-mage characters who must use spells to exit a location.
- Player-disadvantageous DLC rules (weight 0.27): The DLC adds many rules that are disadvantageous to the player. It is not recommended to install casually, such as buying all DLC and just installing.
- Dark dungeon visibility issues (weight 0.26): Some additional dungeons have dark visual effects intended for atmosphere, but these make it hard to see. This can lead to unfair deaths or difficulty navigating.
- Addon compatibility risks (weight 0.26): Other addons may cause errors, so only DLC and official addons are considered safe. The Japanese localization addon as of 2018/6/1 causes Lua errors in added quests, blocking progression.
- Strong enemies increase difficulty (weight 0.26): The DLC adds strong enemies that increase overall game difficulty. This is not a campaign expansion like Embers of Rage but is priced higher.
- Otaku-oriented added classes (weight 0.24): The added classes are very otaku-oriented. Resource management is extremely hard for the added dark mage class, adding to the challenge.
- Difficult bonus recollection events (weight 0.15): Bonus recollection events are very difficult or feature instant-death mechanics, which players find tough. These events may be frustrating for many.
- Error screen status debuff (weight 0.15): After an error screen, minions can receive meaningless statuses with negative durations. This adds to the confusion and breaks gameplay flow.
- Drem potentially overpowered (weight 0.14): The Drem race may be a bit overpowered compared to other options. This could affect game balance and player experience.

Gameplay feedback:
- DLC adds new classes and races (weight 0.96): Multiple clusters note that the expansion introduces new classes and races, including two classes and two races. This is a core feature highlighted in the feedback.
- New items and artifacts (weight 0.56): The DLC includes new swords, items with complex statistics, and artifacts that can be found randomly or through events. These items often grant access to new content.
- Horror-themed enemies and areas (weight 0.56): The expansion features many horror-type enemies that can multiply, place area damage, and use disease attacks. Dark dungeons with slimes and ranged attacks are also present.
- New classes with unique mechanics (weight 0.56): New classes include a golem-making dark magic warrior, a resource-heavy dark mage, and a tentacle-controlling class. Another class combines summoning, AoE, and melee power with low health.
- Talent trees and resource systems (weight 0.54): The DLC introduces multiple talent trees to invest points into, with specific talents like Digestion, Disease Tongue, and Molt. Madness functions as a magic resource consumed by skills.
- Adds new dungeons and zones (weight 0.47): New dungeons and zones are added, with some accessed randomly. Players report entering these areas and facing new challenges.
- Lore and story content (weight 0.47): Adds lore and quests about the Sher'Tul and old gods, set in the Age of Haze. A Forgotten Cult story and new books/stories are included.
- Race and body transformation options (weight 0.46): Players can become a horror creature, transform body parts into tentacles, or use a one-time amulet to change race to Parasite. As a Parasite, you can eat Escorts and gain survival talents.
- Diverse classes and builds (weight 0.45): The game features many classes (two dozen) and nearly as many races, offering diverse builds. Role-playing elements and character customization are highlighted.
- New enemies and interactions (weight 0.43): Adds enemies such as 'symmetey' and 'entropic rip', which the player can punch. Minions can get statuses, and a giant worm can swallow you in town.
- Random events and loot (weight 0.36): Random events can give top-tier artifacts deterministically, and random loot is available. Attacking random squads can trigger events.
- Specific class unlock requirements (weight 0.34): The Sufferer class requires choosing Human as the starting race, and its Slow Death talent tree can be unlocked early. The reviewer has not yet unlocked the second new class.
- Unlockable content and bonus events (weight 0.34): Includes unlockable content as per description and recollection event-like bonus content accessible by opening books. The expansion adds more classes, races, and content.
- Cosmic horror tone (weight 0.26): The DLC has a cosmic horror tone, with unusual classes compared to other RPGs. This setting influences the overall atmosphere and enemy design.
- Anti-mage and spell-required areas (weight 0.24): There are anti-mage characters and locations that require using spells regardless of build. This adds a layer of challenge and strategy.

Performance notes:
- Game unplayable due to bugs (weight 0.15): Bugs have made the game unplayable for some players. This prevents them from enjoying or progressing in the game.
- Black screens from unloaded locations (weight 0.14): Players report black screens when locations fail to load properly. This issue disrupts gameplay and immersion.
- Error screens and crashes (weight 0.14): The game frequently shows error screens and crashes, affecting stability. Players experience interruptions during play.
- Bugs appeared after DLC (weight 0.14): New bugs have emerged following the release of downloadable content. These issues were not present before the DLC.
- Japanese localization addon causes Lua errors (weight 0.14): Lua errors from the Japanese localization addon block quest progression. Players using this addon cannot complete certain quests.
- Other addons cause errors (weight 0.13): Besides the Japanese localization addon, other addons can also cause errors. These addon-related issues can disrupt gameplay.

Recommendations:
- Positive Recommendation for ToME (weight 0.44): Multiple clusters consistently recommend the game, citing its good quality and high recommendation without hesitation. This reflects broad player satisfaction.
- Expansion Recommended for Full Experience (weight 0.36): Players recommend getting the full experience and supporting continued development, and very much recommend it for those who love the game. This reflects strong support from dedicated fans.
- Good Value for Low Price (weight 0.34): Players note that the amount of content provided justifies the low price, making it worth buying. This highlights strong value for money.
- DLC Purchase Caution Advised (weight 0.26): Some players advise against buying the last DLC or recommending caution with installing all DLC at once. This suggests potential issues with certain DLC content.
- Niche Appeal and Difficulty Warning (weight 0.25): The game is recommended for masochists and fans who want to fully explore ToME, but is definitely not for everyone. This indicates a steep learning curve or niche audience.
- Tentacle Class Recommendation (weight 0.25): The expansion is recommended for those who want to play a tentacle-controlling class or seek more variety, even if not fans of tentacles. This appeals to players looking for unique gameplay.
- Wait for Bug Fixes First (weight 0.15): A recommendation to wait until a couple of bug fixes are released before buying indicates that current bugs may impact the experience.
- Base Game Sufficient for Newcomers (weight 0.15): For those who haven't played ToME yet, this expansion is not necessary as the base game already offers substantial content. This suggests newcomers should start with the base game.
- Human Slow Death Tree Tip (weight 0.14): New players are advised to start as Human and unlock the Slow Death tree to avoid running out of Madness. This is a specific gameplay tip for beginners.
- Installation Requires Resolve (weight 0.14): Players mention that installation requires resolve, hinting at potential difficulties or time-consuming setup. This could be a barrier for some users.

Other player notes:
- DLC adds substantial content (weight 0.82): Cluster 1 describes the DLC as adding lore, locations, items, unlockables, and about three times the volume of the first DLC. Cluster 13 adds that it includes new classes and races as advertised. Cluster 21 notes it expands existing game elements.
- DLC is sold as expansion (weight 0.73): Cluster 1 and Cluster 27 indicate it is sold as DLC and an expansion pack. Cluster 2 confirms it is an expansion for ToME.
- Many classes and races available (weight 0.27): Cluster 5 notes the game has two dozen classes and nearly as many races. Cluster 23 mentions the creator keeps producing new classes, indicating ongoing class expansion.
- Pricing compared to other DLC (weight 0.26): Cluster 3 mentions a low price, but Cluster 19 states it is priced higher than Embers of Rage. This contrast suggests mixed perceptions of value.
- Base game already content-rich (weight 0.26): Cluster 22 and Cluster 26 suggest the base game has extensive content, making the expansion unnecessary for new players. This implies the expansion is for veterans.
- Reviewer has not tried DLC (weight 0.25): Cluster 11 explicitly states the reviewer has not yet tried the DLC. Cluster 6 assumes everyone who wants it already has it, implying a non-review stance.
- Art style has improved (weight 0.25): Cluster 7 praises the graphics artist's developed style over the years. Cluster 8 suggests redoing common original art for the base game.
- Expansion scope similar to Ashes (weight 0.25): Cluster 17 compares the scale to the Ashes of Urh'Rok DLC. Cluster 18 clarifies it is not a campaign expansion like Embers of Rage.
- Build guidance for add-on (weight 0.24): Cluster 10 provides build guidance for a specific add-on. Cluster 20 mentions a let's play video for the Cultist of Entropy class.
- Recent update introduces bugs (weight 0.17): Cluster 15 reports that the last update contains many bugs. This is a specific quality concern.
- Likely already owned by veterans (weight 0.15): Cluster 25 says if you know and play Tales of Maj'Eyal you've likely already bought the expansion pack. This suggests the target audience is dedicated players.
- DLC considered best and disgusting (weight 0.14): Cluster 12 describes the DLC as one of the best and most disgusting for the game. This subjective praise highlights its impact.
- Items available in embers mode (weight 0.13): Cluster 9 notes that items can also be found in 'embers of rage' mode. This is a specific gameplay detail.
- Toggles for book effects (weight 0.13): Cluster 4 mentions that the effect inside books can be turned off in the options. This is a minor customization feature.
- Japanese localization addon experience (weight 0.13): Cluster 16 states the review is based on experience with the Japanese localization addon. This is a niche perspective.
- Expansion made by one person (weight 0.13): Cluster 28 notes the expansion was made by one guy. This highlights the solo development effort.
- Full review on YouTube (weight 0.12): Cluster 24 mentions that a full review is available on YouTube. This is a reference to external content.
- Content details in official description (weight 0.12): Cluster 14 mentions that content details can be found in the official description. This is a pointer to official information rather than review content.

Emotions:
- Appreciation (weight 0.13): Players value the new DLC for its heavy Cthulhu influences, which bring a fresh theme and atmosphere. The tentacle-controlling class and expanded gameplay add depth, while the creator's consistent output of unique and fun classes is recognized. Improved art and a strong theme further enhance the experience.
- Excitement (weight 0.13): The tentacle theme and ability to customize characters into tentacle monsters generate excitement. The expansion is considered phenomenal for adding new classes and races, with the first class offering a unique mix of summoning, AoE, melee power, and enemy consumption that keeps players engaged.
- Disappointment (weight 0.08): Disappointment stems from a drastic drop in rating due to bugs that severely impact play. Additionally, the lack of campaign content despite a higher price leaves players feeling let down.
- Admiration (weight 0.08): Players admire the deep gameplay, rich lore, and overall quality of the game. The two new classes are seen as incredibly unique and complex, especially considering they were made by a single developer.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.04): The new classes are very fun to play, providing players with fresh and enjoyable experiences. Their design and mechanics contribute to a sense of enjoyment.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.04): Satisfaction comes from the addition of even more content at a low price. Players feel they receive great value for their money.
- Interest (weight 0.04): The introduction of artifact classes and other content sparks interest. Players are curious and eager to explore these new additions.
- Frustration (weight 0.04): Frustration arises from dark visual effects in some additional dungeons that make them hard to see. Bugs that prevent game completion and ruin the overall experience further aggravate players.
- Difficulty (weight 0.04): Some bonus recollection events are instant-death and tough, posing a significant challenge. This difficulty can be a source of stress for players.
- Impressed (weight 0.04): Players are impressed by the depth and content packed into a single class, which surpasses what most games offer in totality. This level of detail and complexity stands out.
- Enthusiasm (weight 0.04): Enthusiasm is driven by the expansion adding more of everything, expanding the game's scope. Players are eager to dive into the increased content.
- Amusement (weight 0.04): The funny idea of punching metaphysical enemies like 'symmetey' and 'entropic rip' provides amusement. This quirky concept adds a lighthearted element to the game.
- Confidence (weight 0.04): Confidence is bolstered by the DLC receiving content updates after release. This ongoing support reassures players about the game's future.
- Joy (weight 0.04): Joy comes from the DLC allowing players to become a horror creature. This power fantasy fulfills a unique and enjoyable desire.
- Love (weight 0.04): Players express love for the base game, finding it very enjoyable. The core experience resonates strongly with them.
- Disgust (weight 0.04): Disgust is felt when playing as the Writhing One class with many tentacles, as it is repulsive. The visceral horror theme evokes this reaction.
- Delight (weight 0.04): Despite the repulsive tentacle theme, players find it delightfully beautiful. The aesthetic contrast creates a unique and pleasurable experience.
- Fear (weight 0.04): The content is scary in various ways, inducing fear. The horror elements are effective in creating a frightening atmosphere.
- Caution (weight 0.04): Caution is advised because installation requires resolve due to player-unfriendly rules. These rules may deter or challenge potential players.
- Astonishment (weight 0.04): Astonishment results from the game already having everything imaginable, yet the expansion feels refreshing and impressive. This unexpected novelty surprises players.}