Call of Cthulhu: Dark Corners of the Earth Xbox
  • Publisher: 2K Games
  • Release Date: Oct 24, 2005
  • Also On: PC
Metascore
77 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 51 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 40 out of 51
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 51
  3. Negative: 1 out of 51
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  1. eToychest
    95
    The gameplay here is a truly unique and realistic experience, seamlessly blending elements of adventure, stealth, and first-person shooter games into an intriguing and coherent package.
  2. Into Liquid Sky
    91
    It throws out so many references to the source material and stories written by the author that fans can't help but feel the wait has been justified.
  3. Boomtown
    90
    And while the devil is in the details, the game as a whole forms such a genuinely immersive and unique experience that to let it go unnoticed would be a disservice not only to Lovecraft but one extremely talented bunch of developers.
  4. XboxAddict
    90
    They managed to take a very dark and ecclectic horror RPG and successfully port it to console! Brava guys! Definitely a "should-be" on the horror fan's Xmas list.
  5. PGNx Media
    90
    The gameplay is great and the presentation is just as commendable. At around 12 hours, the game is even the right length.
  6. Jolt Online Gaming UK
    90
    The sound of Jack's shallow breathing as he becomes increasingly frightened is very effective, and there is nothing quite as unnerving as hearing the growls and mutters of your pursuers as you hole up in some dark corner.
  7. BonusStage
    88
    Eerie, deeply disturbing and wonderfully designed for maximum emotional effectiveness, the game has a way of getting under your skin and taking root, drawing on your own fears and putting forth leaves and fruit that amplify the experience.
  8. Gamers' Temple
    87
    Rare is the game that can generate a truly creepy atmosphere – Call of Cthulhu is one of those games.
  9. Gaming Nexus
    86
    It may not have the productions of "Resident Evil," but Call of Cthulhu is easily one of the scariest video games ever made. It's also a great story full of mystery, intrigue, and a few twists and turns you won't see coming!
  10. Gaming Target
    86
    You can immediately tell that Call of Cthulhu: Dark Corners of the Earth was created as a labor of love. It defies convention in favor of creating a videogame experience that is a worthy heir to the Lovecraft name.
  11. GameZone
    85
    A unique and scary experience, Call of Cthulhu for the Xbox is a frightening and most engaging experience that will not fail to hook you from the very start.
  12. Game Over Online
    85
    An amazing adventure title full of horror and thrills throughout its fantastic story. It's also a game full of glitchy little problems that can wear away on your nerves before the sanity meter gets full.
  13. Console Gameworld
    85
    Its challenging difficulty and immersive design will keep players on the edge of their seat from start to finish.
  14. IC-Games
    85
    While it may be relatively short overall, it's definitely one for people that like to solve a mystery, rather than just run through a game without taking anything in.
  15. Game Chronicles
    84
    As an adventure game, Call of Cthulhu: Dark Corners of the Earth manages to live up to the genre expectations.
  16. GameSpot
    83
    A thick, unsettling atmosphere fills this ambitious first-person action adventure, which makes up for some technical issues with plenty of chills, variety, and originality.
  17. IGN
    82
    It's been a long time coming and it's not without flaws, but Call of Cthulhu: Dark Corners of the Earth delivers an engaging, unsettling, and satisfying experience.
  18. TeamXbox
    81
    Aside from the flaws with the "detective" mode, and lack of direction the game provides, Cthulhu is a solid experience. An untraditional take on the FPS genre (no WWII action or one-liners here), players are sure to get taken in by the game's eerie levels, immersive world, and engrossing story.
  19. Xbox Solution
    81
    A very good game if you can get past things like the perspective issues and you don't mind dying often.
  20. NTSC-uk
    80
    While certainly not flawless, Call of Cthulhu: Dark Corners of the Earth is the perfect game for followers of Lovecraft's work, but the title also offers an intriguing and involving adventure for those who aren't and just want something a little different from a normal first-person game.
  21. Eurogamer
    80
    Almost to its detriment, it doesn't play its hand early on; if anything, the game takes fully three or four hours before you really start to unravel its charms, and even then it never feels like a game in a hurry.
  22. AceGamez
    80
    It's definitely something different and while it's not going to be the average gamer's best Christmas title, puzzle fanatics, horror fans and thrill seekers are really going to love this one.
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  23. DarkStation
    80
    Developers Headfirst brings H.P. Lovecraft's cult favorite Cthulhu mythos to life in this genuinely scary first person adventure title. Definitely not for the faint-hearted.
  24. GameCritics
    80
    The end result of their labor is a rock-solid videogame that almost perfectly captures the dread, majesty, and sheer abject terror of Lovecraft's world. One doesn't need to have read the fiction to enjoy the game, but those who're familiar with the world of Cthulhu and Innsmouth will find the game even more enjoyable because it works on multiple levels.
  25. Cheat Code Central
    80
    The story is accessible for all players to grasp, though the true Lovecraft enthusiast will get the most enjoyment.
  26. Computer and Video Games
    80
    The game draws on the rich material inspired by Lovecraft's twisted world, and actually recreates its creeping, claustrophobic horror surprisingly well. [Official UK Xbox Magazine]
  27. Loaded Inc
    80
    Some of the scenes of murder and dismemberment may be a little unnerving for younger players. We weren't scared a little bit, though. Well, maybe a little. Umm, who turned those lights out? Recommended.
  28. Xbox World Australia
    80
    Marred only by a few broken glitches and repetitive NPC cues, Call of Cthulhu will captivate the dark side in all who dare journey its perilous trail.
  29. Four Fat Chicks
    80
    The overall quality of the game far outweighs every one of its shortcomings. In my humble opinion, this game represents a labor of love from people who wanted to pay homage to Lovecraft.
  30. GameSpy
    80
    This is the first frothing video game form of Cthulhu Mythos that's been done almost completely right, and this year's most frightening first-person adventure. A true cult classic.
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User Reviews

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User Score
8.3 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 32 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 20 out of 25
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 25
  3. Negative: 5 out of 25
  1. RicochetPhoenix
    0
    The idea of a horror game based around HP Lovecraft's "Shadow Over Innsmouth" short story is awesome, and it's a real shame that this game fails to deliver in every way other than the storytelling aspect. The game is way too dark and grey/brown to ever tell what is going on and you can easily overlook elements in the environment. The game doesn't give you an actual weapon until nearly 3 hours into it when you find your first guns. No ability to use melee? C'mon. The AI is annoying, the cutscenes are unskippable, the insanity factor comes into play way too easily and makes things blurry (things are hard enough to see in this game as it is), and the stealth doesn't really work at all. This is just a complete waste of time and utter disappointment. I tried very hard to enjoy this game but it just doesn't have what it takes to be called a good game. Other horror games over the years ranging from Silent Hill to Resident Evil Remake to Eternal Darkness to Dead Space 2 are all vastly superior in every way. Avoid this one, even if you are a Lovecraft fan like me.… Full Review »
  2. DerrickF.
    3
    I had eagerly anticipated this game, but put it aside at the point of Fishmen Attack. My reason: after walking the length and breadth of an unwelcoming town without finding even a pointy stick for a weapon, seeing a child ripped to pieces by monster, and finding evidence proving that the innkeeper is a mass murderer, I am forced to follow this same murderer to a room of his choosing and bed down for the night without the option of sneaking out of the building. Of course, the townsmen come for you, and you are forced to flee like an idiot out of a trap that even the most naive player could see coming. While I was willing to try a game devoid of firearms, I was disappointed to play the role of a eunuch incapable of even pimp-smacking his assailants. Anyone giving this game a ten has no Y chromosome. Or wits.… Full Review »
  3. ms
    3
    This is the perfect example of how to script a horror game...it's just not exactly what I'd call the ideal way to make one playable. At first, I was excited to get this game. I mean five years in the making, bragging an advanced sanity system, healing system, and interactive world sounds great...until you actually have to play the damn game. The creators were so hell bent on hyping this game as a "realistic experience" that they forgot one crucial element. It's a damn video game. First of all, five years in development should warrant a few things: Good voice acting, good visuals, and polished gameplay. The gameplay had a lot of potential. It's my belief that first person is tough to implement into stealth and horror because you can't actually see your character model so creeping behind walls is difficult and the stupid peek around the wall mechanic is useless unless you wanna reveal yourself. Secondly, it's near impossible to estimate how far you can jump in this game, which will get you killed many times. The A.I. is generally piss poor as well and glitches on many occasions. The most the A.I. can do is follow and shoot and group together. Nothing intelligent about that. Oh and they can't aim rifles at point blank to save their lives, literally. The interactivity is pretty false too. There are only a few people you can actually talk to in the game on your own without cutscenes and you can't actually use your surroundings to your advantage. You can just observe them and make useless comments about them. Did I mention the voice acting is annoying as all hell? The main character sounds like a complete Nimrod. The graphics ain't much to gawk at either. The environments generally come in a few shades of gray and brown with a little texture thrown in for good measure. The character models are stiff and the monsters are hilariously unscary when you finally see them. As for health packs. Nothing complicated or interesting about it. Somehow you can still walk with two broken legs. How very realistic?? But the worst part about this game is the abused sanity effects. I don't know about you, but my vision doesn't blur when I'm scared. And I don't get vertigo instantly from . Our detective hero is kind of a loose canon really. Everything makes his mental state deteriorate. It's gimmicky and annoying and it fails to make the game scary. Or realistic. In fact, quite the opposite. But to the point. Don't play this game. It's a waste of time and potential. Play Silent Hill 2 or Resident Evil if you want a good scare. This sucked.… Full Review »
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