Lesson Learned: Cult of the Elizabeth isn’t trying to be subtle or contemplative—far from it. This tower defense game is brimming with action, and don’t underestimate its seemingly innocent facade. Those cute visuals hide some pretty unsettling bird monsters. The first thing that usually grabs my attention in a game is the visual design, and Cult of the Elizabeth didn’t disappoint. Right from the main screen, I was hooked. Initially, I was concerned it might be a copycat of Don’t Starve, mainly because the art style and music were reminiscent of that wilderness survival game—which happens to be one of my all-time favorites. Yet, as I delved deeper into the gameplay, that worry dissipated. It quickly became clear that this strange world has its own unique quirks that set it apart.
The game offers both solo and co-op modes, where Amelia and her classmates must navigate their way out of a terrifying nightmare. However, the solo mode didn’t fully click with me, mostly due to the time-consuming process of collecting resources for tower upgrades. Although I usually relish activities like rock digging or tree chopping as a break from combat, here it felt overly prolonged. I found it challenging to defend my base adequately. Combat isn’t exactly my strong suit, but even on easy mode, I ended up getting overwhelmed by bird-like foes, and my sidekick wasn’t much help. I was constantly micromanaging him just to keep our resources steady. The last thing I want in a game is more micromanagement; I’ve got enough of that in my daily life!
Despite the grind with resources, the core gameplay remained enjoyable. The combat mechanics are straightforward but require precision. You can’t just fire aimlessly and win—skill and timing are crucial to fend off the monsters and protect your towers. As resources dwindle, placing towers strategically becomes vital, especially with the increasing monster count. Even though the monsters are somewhat predictable and easy to defeat, when a large group of turkeys, with their odd Tudor attire, descends on your camp, things get hectic quickly!
Now, here’s something interesting: it’s one of those PC games that recommend using a controller. Personally, I didn’t have any trouble with the keyboard—it wasn’t essential like in other games. Whether or not the keyboard becomes trickier as you progress and face more complex challenges remains to be seen, but I’ll definitely keep you posted.
All in all, I’m quite captivated by Lesson Learned: Cult of the Elizabeth and everything it brings to the table. Although it might come off as a bit simplistic at times, there’s ample room for the developers to expand the storyline and refine some mechanics for a richer experience. A few changes could make it highly replayable. You can check out the free prologue on Steam for a glimpse into this whimsical world.
Review Overview
Lesson Learned: Cult of the Elizabeth
- Gameplay: 7.5/10
- Plot / Writing: 6.5/10
- Design / Visuals: 9/10
Overall Score: 7.7/10
An interesting mix of genres
Pros:
- Whimsical, gothic art style that enhances the narrative
- Unique soundtrack blending light-hearted and eerie tones
- Balanced combat and exploration within a captivating setting
Cons:
- Resource collection feels laborious
- Enemies are somewhat predictable and lack challenge
