With the recent explosion of Dungeons & Dragons into the mainstream, the complexity of roleplaying games (RPGs) is more relevant than ever. It is hard to learn the many rules spread throughout unending books and websites; it is even harder to learn when there are multiple iterations of one system. After all, D&D is only one game in this genre. Branching out can take many forms, whether you just want some new rules for your fantasy-style adventure (consider Pathfinder), or whether you want to try something so fundamentally different that it is only connected by a simple attribute. Enter Call of Cthulhu, a mystery/horror RPG that draws inspirations from the Cthulhu mythos and its many facets. This mythos is, of course, attributed to one H.P. Lovecraft, and though it is the basis for the game, that is not what makes the it interesting. For one, Call of Cthulhu focuses on an entirely different aspect of roleplay than D&D. Though versatile, the latter typically conveys a sense of power. Whether a campaign is difficult or not, being able to project flame from your finger-tips at a whim, or cleave a goblin in half with your blade, fills players with an inner strength. Call of Cthulhu uses the power RPGs for the opposite purpose. It makes players feel out of their depth and under assault from all sides by an unfamiliar environment. The atmosphere is accentuated by a semi-modern setting, where much of the technology we rely on in the real-world is ineffective against foes. This is perfect for one intending to branch out, as not only are you learning a new system, you're learning an entirely new style than what's normally associated with Dungeons & Dragons. Call of Cthulhu is steeped in roleplay. Much of the game's actual mechanics, which are found in the Keeper Rulebook, are minimalist and only there to prevent controversy. The keeper, or the game-master, is given much of the power to describe and relay how situations go. This power is increased compared to that of a dungeon master due to a lack of gradient in Call of Cthulhu's roles. In this game, you either succeed or you fail, and little emphasis is placed on what number you actually roll. This is a departure to be sure, and this game is far less versatile than that of D&D. It is best for keepers to have a group that appreciates roleplay more than combat. And that is effectively the concept of Call of Cthulhu, a great new game for those wishing to branch into other RPGs. Though based in a more modern setting and focusing on more horror than adventure, this new edition to a player's library can result in some great roleplaying moments; moments would've otherwise never come to pass. (Disclaimer: Call of Cthulhu is a bit hard to get an initial grasp on. I'd personally advise getting a copy of the two starting books for seventh edition, the Keeper Rulebook and Investigator Handbook, combined with some YouTube videos for starting out.)
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AuthorMcRae Walker, an 20-year-old writer and lover of many dorky topics. Archives
September 2022
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