Call of Cthulhu: Dark Corners of the Earth

eToychest

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.

Into Liquid Sky

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.

Jolt Online Gaming UK

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.

PGNx Media

The gameplay is great and the presentation is just as commendable. At around 12 hours, the game is even the right length.

Boomtown

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.

XboxAddict

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.

BonusStage

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.

Gamers' Temple

Rare is the game that can generate a truly creepy atmosphere – Call of Cthulhu is one of those games.

Gaming Nexus

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!

Gaming Target

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.

Console Gameworld

Its challenging difficulty and immersive design will keep players on the edge of their seat from start to finish.

Game Over Online

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.

GameZone

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.

IC-Games

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.

Game Chronicles

As an adventure game, Call of Cthulhu: Dark Corners of the Earth manages to live up to the genre expectations.

GameSpot

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.

IGN

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.

TeamXbox

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.

Xbox Solution

A very good game if you can get past things like the perspective issues and you don’t mind dying often.

DarkStation

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.

GameCritics

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.

AceGamez

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.

Computer and Video Games

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]

Eurogamer

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.

GameSpy

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.

Cheat Code Central

The story is accessible for all players to grasp, though the true Lovecraft enthusiast will get the most enjoyment.

NTSC-uk

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.

Four Fat Chicks

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.

Loaded Inc

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.

Xbox World Australia

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.

Worth Playing

It's not for twitch junkies, but gamers with a certain amount of patience will be rewarded with an engrossing game. I just wish that Headfirst hadn't thrown in so much jumping and climbing, and that the sanity effects weren't so detrimental to seeing what's going on onscreen.

TotalGames.net

It's the sort of title we'd recommend to anyone who fancies something a little different and is prepared to put in several hours hard graft - but it's just too slow and doesn't twist itself far enough into the spooky or surreal.

Armchair Empire

Offers a great (mature) story, some heart-stopping moments, and some great evolution of the first-person shooter genre, even if it does have some warts.

Kombo

Rough around the edges, but the story and setting draws you in from beginning to end.

Next Level Gaming

The game is so dark that it is almost unplayable at parts.

Pelit (Finland)

An atmospheric thriller marred by a constant need for repetition. Gunplay feels a bit tacked on. [Dec 2005]

My Gamer

While not perfect, Call of Cthulhu is an important demonstration of what should matter in a game.

DailyGame

One of those games that has a solid mix of gameplay elements and takes its source material seriously, ensuring plenty of scary moments and schoolgirl-shrieks from players.

Extreme Gamer

One eerie game, which provides a well rounded gaming experience. If you like suspenseful plots, dark forbidding mysteries, and adventures into the dark side this is for you.

Game Revolution

Call of Cthulhu shows that the first-person perspective doesn't always have to pack an uzi, and can even be the perfect view for players interested in a more cerebral challenge. Its dated look and absurd difficulty will probably consign it to mere cult status, but perhaps that's really where a game based on Lovecraft belongs.

GamingTrend

On one hand there is a fantastic immersive horror title that captures the environment perfectly. On the other hand, you have a game that is filled with bugs and leads you with both hands tied through the whole game.

Gamer 2.0

An undeniable effort. It can be fulfilling and mightily rewarding, but there are too many frustrating moments to say it’s a classic.

Computer Games Magazine

Dark Corners weaves a spellbindingly scary vibe. [Feb 2006, p.89]

Thunderbolt

Even though I was put off by the stealth sequences and the occasionally high difficulty level, it’s impossible not to admire how frightening and intense this game can be.

games(TM)

An intelligent and original gaming experience for those strong enough of stomach and mind to see it all the way through. [Dec 2005, p.108]

Electric Playground

A flawed but fascinating adaptation of the imaginings of one of horror's most influential writers.

Official Xbox Magazine

Suffers from linear gameplay, ridiculously difficult challenges, bad graphics, and a lead voice actor who sounds like an utter twit. [Jan 2006, p.75]

G4 TV

Understand going in to this game that you’re going to die a lot. And you’re going to have to replay the same scenes over many times before you get past them. And if you see Cthulhu, give him our best.

Game Informer

The action is slow and unresponsive,and there is very little direction spurring you through its grainy, muddy-looking world. [Jan 2006, p.150]

Gamestyle

A strange beast. Initially captivating for its haunting atmosphere and impressive plotline, Gamestyle soon uncovered sanity effects that pushed us over the edge - of despair.

Edge Magazine

Once guns are acquired you feel less helpless, but the combat is awkward with enemies reacting poorly to hits and a compulsory manual reload that is ponderous beyond belief. In trying to make the game realistic, Headfirst has grievously shot itself in the foot. [Dec 2005, p.112]