Call of the Elder Gods, a sequel to the well-received Call of the Sea, takes players on a globetrotting adventure through the Cthulhu Mythos. While it may not deliver the existential chills some might expect, it offers a reimagined Lovecraft experience as a pulpy 30s-style matinee adventure. The game follows Evangeline Drayton, a physics student at Miskatonic University, who begins to have strange dreams about ancient cities and ineffable beings. Her adventure companion is Professor Harry Everhart, the university's Dean of Archaeology and the grieving husband of Norah, the protagonist of the previous game. Norah's spirit narrates the story, adding wry observations and witty asides to the action. The game is set in the 1950s and takes players on a journey through various locations, including Boston, Norway, and Egypt, where they uncover secrets and face cosmic horrors. The journal, which is Norah's disembodied spirit keeping notes for clarity, becomes the focal point for puzzles, often spanning entire locations. The puzzles require players to carefully cross-reference, infer, and deduce information from notes, photos, and timetables, making the game both challenging and engaging. While the game may not be as emotionally engaging as its predecessor, it is still a rewarding and atmospheric experience. The vibrant attention to detail and the tactile nature of the puzzles make it a refreshing change from games that treat players like morons. Overall, Call of the Elder Gods is a smart, atmospheric, and frequently beautiful game that is well worth playing.
