Fit check
Is Cthulhu's Catharsis worth it for you?
We tell you who should skip it, too.
Play it if you…
Good fit- Strategy players who want a Lovecraftian empire-building game rather than a historical military setting
- Turn-based players who prefer god-like powers and custom land creation over small-squad command
- Groups seeking online strategy play for up to 4 players rather than a single-player-only experience
Skip it if you…
Saves you a refund- Players seeking direct, hands-on combat with individual units may find the empire-building structure a poor match.
- Players who prefer persistent soldiers and small squads may not want a game centered on gods, territories, and research trees.
- Players looking for a jigsaw puzzle rather than a strategy game may prefer Fantasy Girl.
Our take on Cthulhu's Catharsis
The game replaces the usual human ruler or military commander with an eldritch deity that can create land and advance research through sacrifice. Rival gods and awakened monstrosities also make supernatural forces part of the strategic structure.
What is Cthulhu's Catharsis?
Play as Cthulhu, Nyarlathotep, Shub-Niggurath, or Yog-Sothoth in a turn-based strategy game set in the Cthulhu mythos.
Expand an empire by creating land, ordering shoggoths to build structures and units, and giving forces special mutations. Research unlocks eldritch abilities, with progress earned by sacrificing humans. A deity-specific Focus tree changes according to the chosen god. Elder monstrosities, including Father Dagon and Mother Hydra, can awaken and invade as a result of the screaming caused by the player’s actions. Appeasing or angering them affects their response. Play alone against AI or online with up to 4 other players.
How Cthulhu's Catharsis plays
- 01Create new lands
- Draw territories into existence to expand the empire.
- 02Mutate units
- Grant forces special powers for tactical use against rival gods.
- 03Deity-specific Focus
- The Focus tree changes according to which of the four gods is selected.
- 04Research through sacrifice
- Sacrificing humans advances research that unlocks eldritch abilities.
- 05Single-player and online
- Play against AI alone or compete online with up to 4 other players.
- 06Invading monstrosities
- Father Dagon and Mother Hydra can awaken and invade, with their response affected by appeasement or anger.
Cthulhu's Catharsis compared to similar games
Men of War: Assault Squad focuses on World War II strategy with direct, hands-on combat, while Cthulhu's Catharsis centers on turn-based empire building as an eldritch god. Xenonauts follows a multinational defense organization using persistent soldiers to fight aliens and recover technology; Cthulhu's Catharsis instead offers custom land creation, unit mutations, and rival deities.
Cthulhu's Catharsis: platforms & release
Is Cthulhu's Catharsis worth it?
It is worth it if: strategy players who want a Lovecraftian empire-building game rather than a historical military setting. Skip it if: players seeking direct, hands-on combat with individual units may find the empire-building structure a poor match.
Where can I download Cthulhu's Catharsis?
Use the Download Now button on this page: it opens Cthulhu's Catharsis's store page, where you can choose how to get it.
What platforms is Cthulhu's Catharsis on?
Windows and Linux.
