Austin Carroll is a writer and web designer from Eugene, Oregon. He's been at HGG for five years and maintains an active role designing and develop... Read more
Reviewed by Benjamin Barr
It’s been a while since I last played a point-and-click adventure game. For the most part, I find them too slow and (if I’m being honest) kinda boring. But something felt different about Gibbous – A Cthulhu Adventure.
Initially, I was drawn in by the spooky yet playful 2D animated graphics and comedic-horror storyline. And when I discovered that it’s another Kickstarter indie, I just had to check it out. So I grabbed the game on Steam and entered the world of Darkham.
But let this serve as a warning. Once you begin, there’s no turning back – lest you become fodder for Cthulhu and his minions.
On the Frontlines: Gibbous – A Cthulhu Adventure Gameplay
The game begins when Detective Don R. Ketype makes his way to Darkham in search of the fabled Necronomicon. His first stop? The library, of course! Here he meets Buzz Kerwan, a young librarian with a cat named Kitteh. But it appears to be another dead end. That is, until the Cultists arrive.
It’s not long before all hell breaks loose, and the magic book ends up in Buzz’s possession. Moreover, in all the mayhem, Kitteh gets hit by a spell that makes her talk! Yup– a talking cat named Kitteh. Welcome to the world of Gibbous – A Cthulhu Adventure.
Curiosity Killed the Cat
But satisfaction brought it back! If that idiom serves as any indication, there are strange forces at work in Gibbous – A Cthulhu Adventure. And it’s up to you to unravel the mystery.
The premise? From the PoV of three different protagonists, navigate the 2D fantasy world while completing various puzzles that bring you closer to your main objective. Curiosity is key.
The main instruments to aid you on your journey? Just your keyboard and mouse. That’s all you need to interact with the environment, whether you’re observing objects, using items from your inventory, or talking to any of the game’s wacky characters. But simple controls don’t mean it’s all smooth sailing.
Another Piece of the Puzzle
Picture the following scenario. You’re stuck in a musty old basement. The door is sealed, the windows are barred, and there’s a group of deranged cultists just outside waiting for you to make the wrong move. What do you do?
If your first thought is to take a look around, you’ve already got the gist of things! There are a bunch of odds and ends scattered throughout the basement that may be of some use. Perhaps you whip up some sort of escape device? Or maybe you’d prefer to smash the door with your foot until someone lets you out? Truth be told, you’ve got a number of different options.
And that’s one of the coolest things about Gibbous: you decide what to do in every situation. It’s all about experimentation and testing things out.
That said, there’s only one correct way through. Successfully complete each puzzle that the game presents and the story moves forward. But fail to get it right, and you may end up stuck in this Lovecraftian horror story forever!
A Page from Lovecraft’s Necronomicon
Gibbous is part comedy game, and it’s got all the cheesy dad jokes a gamer could ask for. And then there are the horror elements.
While it’s nothing akin to today’s scariest games, Gibbous can still be a fright. But more so by its storyline that your typical surprise mechanics. That’s because the game is inspired by HP Lovecraft, the renowned horror writer from the early 1900’s.
Moreover, the story is divided into chapters, each with its own theme and setting. Reach a critical moment, and a cut-scene appears to deliver cinematic-quality moments from the narrative. The best part? All the adventures and wacky puzzles culminate in a silly, albeit sad, ending scene that perfectly fits the overarching theme of the game.
A Cthulhu Adventure was developed by a small team out of Transylvania, and it’s clear that the entire crew poured their heart and soul into this expertly crafted adventure title.
High Ground View
We’ve rated Gibbous on three criteria: adventure, puzzle, and art.
Adventure Elements (8/10)
Gibbous is full of mystery, intrigue, and immersive storytelling. From the very first scene to the last, the game feels like, well, A Cthulhu Adventure.
You get to navigate different towns. Play as different characters. Complete puzzles. And actually think about what you’re doing and how every piece of the game relates to one another. Gibbous invites you into the lore and really gets you invested in the outcome of the game. An outstanding experience.
The main caveat? A full playthrough only takes about 7 hours, and this is a bummer for those seeking more time in this fantasy setting. And when you factor in the $20 price tag, it’s doubly disappointing. Perhaps we can expect a sequel?
Puzzle Elements (8/10)
Each scene features a variety of different puzzles. These puzzles range from fetching things for NPCs, to re-arranging objects within a certain area, to crafting new items entirely. I truly felt like a detective as I went about the map, inspecting different alcoves and talking to shady figures to figure out what to do next.
That said, the puzzles are fairly intuitive, and I was often a step ahead of the story. For me (someone who hates getting stuck), it’s perfect. I felt totally rewarded each time, and these mini victories propelled me forward. For hardcore point ‘n click gamers, however, the puzzles in A Cthulhu Adventure may not present enough of a challenge.
Art Elements (9/10)
Gibbous – A Cthulhu Adventure features stunning graphics, animations, and cut-scenes that will literally take your breath away. It often feels like you’re in the midst of an animated movie, not an adventure game created by a small team of indie devs.
To top things off, the game’s particle effects add to the feeling of a living atmosphere that grips you and pulls you in. The voice acting is also superb, and there are over 70 different talking characters throughout the whole adventure. Lastly, the perfectly timed cinematic-quality cut-scenes deepen the story to slowly reveal more of the game’s magical secrets. Absolutely delightful.
In terms of execution, I wish the development team had created a less resource-intensive game option. The effects could be toned down to make Gibbous more accessible. It was quite a strain on my system, even on the simplest settings.
Zoom In: A Closer Look
Let’s take a closer look at Gibbous – A Cthulhu Adventure’s specifications:
- Game Modes: Campaign
- Platforms: PC, Mac, Linux
- Genre: Point ‘n Click Adventure Game
- Developer: Stuck in Attic
- Release: Aug 7, 2019
- Price: $19.99
- Business Model: Game Sales
- PC System Requirements: 20GB Storage, 8GB RAM, Dedicated GPU, Windows 7+
Zoom Out: Summary
Gibbous – A Cthulhu Adventure offers gorgeous 2D animated graphics, a compelling storyline, and simple point ’n click mechanics. I personally enjoyed the easy puzzles and whimsical dialogue, but serious adventure game enthusiasts may not be as thrilled. Regardless, A Cthulhu Adventure is an exciting take on HP Lovecraft’s renowned horror mythos and an exciting game in its own right.
Gibbous – A Cthulhu Adventure Review Verdict
Game title: Gibbous – A Cthulhu Adventure
Game description: Journey through the streets of Darkham in search of the fabled Necronomicon! But be wary, as dark forces are at work. Navigate this exciting comedic horror adventure to discover all the hidden secrets of this breathtaking 2D world.
Overall
-
Adventure Elements - 8/10
8/10
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Puzzle Elements - 8/10
8/10
-
Art Elements - 9/10
9/10
Summary
A Cthulhu Adventure is a rewarding indie adventure game that’s sure to deliver your daily dose of mystery and excitement. The race to find the Necronomicon is on! Step into the spooky world of Gibbous – A Cthulhu Adventure for a Lovecraftian adventure game that’s sure to excite.
Pros
- Stunning 2D graphics and animations
- Wonderful storyline
- Exciting puzzles and overall gameplay
Cons
- Intensive requirements for a 2D game
- High price tag
- Dedicated point ‘n click gamers may find it too easy
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