8 More Dark & Cheerful Games To Play!
Cult of the Lamb gained a cult-like following upon its release in mid-2022. This game blends dungeon-crawling and farming aspects well and contains beautiful graphics. This is a game many players can seek hundreds of hours in just for its farming and society-building parts alone. Although it can be wholesome and silly, the game’s not afraid to turn up the heat with its depictions of death, suffering, and sacrifice.
If you’ve finished playing Cult of the Lamb and are looking for alternatives – fret not! We’ve combed through the archives and saved you the hassle with our top 8 picks.
Of course, for all the games we’ve reviewed, we’ve also added a handy link, so you can check out our full thoughts on that and see if it’s something you want to invest your time in.
So without further ado, we present 8 games to check out if you’re looking for something like Cult of the Lamb.
Hades
Hades is a wonderful indie game that won gamers’ hearts. It follows Hades’s immortal son, Zagreus. He wants to leave the underworld but must defeat numerous foes who’ll stand in his way. Zagreus isn’t a pushover as he harbors some incredible powers that’ll help him triumph over these forgotten entities.
For history and culture enthusiasts, this game offers a rich selection of Greek references. From Zeus to Poseidon, you’ll interact with many formidable individuals in this world. If you enjoyed slashing your way through numerous enemies as Cult of the Lamb’s fluffy protagonist, you’re bound to fall in love with the world Zagreus inhabits.
Animal Crossing New Horizons
Animal Crossing: New Horizons is a stellar Nintendo Switch game. While it doesn’t receive as many updates as previous entries, it has the best visual fidelity out of all the entries. In this game, you must create the island of your dreams. It won’t be a cheap endeavor as you must complete numerous tasks and save enough cash to add value to your habitat.
The missions in this game aren’t too complex. You’ll find it fairly easy to get through the game’s basics. Some individuals may run into trouble with the game’s terraforming mechanics, but it’s nothing too challenging. There is no clear end game in the entire franchise. It’s a gaming franchise that you’re meant to devote time to, but at your desired pace.
If you enjoyed Cult of the Lamb for its society-building aspects then you’ll love Animal Crossing: New Horizons.
Stardew Valley
Stardew Valley is a farming and life simulation game at its core. Its graphics may not appeal to everyone. Those who love pixelated worlds with many activities to complete will cherish this title though. Like Cult of the Lamb, players may feel enticed to play the title for long sessions in hopes of building an environment of their desires.
In it, players control a girl who inherits her grandfather’s farm plot. You must turn this plot into something mesmerizing if you hope to refill Stardew Valley citizens’ passions. Like Cult of the Lamb, Stardew Valley gives players wonderful freedom to create and tamper with their plots at their leisure. Cult of the Lamb’s storytelling is a bit more serious than Cult of the Lamb, though.
Nonetheless, if you’re looking for a fun farming game with online co-op, this one’s worth your time.
The Binding of Isaac
The Binding of Isaac is a great horror game with strong replay value. Its visuals ooze personality and you’ll be bewildered by its horrific yet charming art style. Players who enjoyed Cult of the Lamb’s wholesome horror aesthetic will cherish their time with this game. This game covers mature themes like death, depression, and angst.
The environments in The Binding of Isaac will be spooky for many newcomers. The gameplay is similar to The Binding of Isaac and Cult of the Lamb. Players must defeat numerous enemies to reach each dungeon’s end-point in the former. The dungeons feature multiple enemies who can be difficult to defeat.
Like the lamb, Isaac will acquire several power-ups that will strengthen his powers. These abilities are well-varied and will make defeating enemies more amusing for the player. If you’re looking for a game with charisma, essence, and some challenges, The Binding of Isaac is worth checking out.
Dead Cells
Dead Cells is a beloved indie game with a high difficulty curve. This game will appeal to many gamers who prefer challenging titles like Cuphead, Dark Souls, or Elden Ring. This roguelike action platform game wreaks adventure and anxiety. With its hidden locales, chilling visuals, and memorable soundtrack, you’re on a wild ride with this one.
In it, you’ll traverse numerous levels filled with challenging villains and deadly monsters. These enemies aren’t afraid to leave you treading the terrain with low momentum. For those who can withstand its challenging nature, remarkable upgrades await you that will make your experience smoother. Each level feels diverse in design, making for a fun and refreshing experience.
If you’re looking for an indie game that packs a punch and delivers a rich world to explore, check out Dead Cells.
Death’s Door
Death’s Door is a top-down action adventure with challenging boss fights, fun exploration, and great storytelling. In it, players control a Crow who must locate a strong monster and reap him of his soul. Even though you retrieve its soul, an outside force swipes it from you. This forces you to travel to Death’s Door which can only be opened after you steal three powerful souls.
You’ll fight through countless enemies, traverse multiple locales, and complete numerous puzzles to accomplish your mission. Mastering your abilities and upgrades will assist you in overcoming the game’s many obstacles. The tyrants you’ll meet have diverse personalities and goals. This will make every boss encounter feel refreshing.
If you’re looking for a dark top-down adventure title with a decent gameplay loop, check out Death’s Door.
Enter The Gungeon
Looking for a bullet hell roguelike dungeon crawler that’ll challenge you? Enter The Gungeon has you covered. Players progress through diverse dungeons that spawn multiple enemies for you to defeat. The gameplay encourages players to replay its levels numerous times. Each dungeon has a unique design and a myriad of bosses.
The bosses aren’t pushovers, though. While they may have quirky personalities, they offer players an incredible challenge. After several boss fights, you should gain an understanding of how each boss acts. This will help you devise clever strategies to overcome these menacing beings. The story isn’t the most complex.
It’s as straightforward as you’d expect. It’s about a group of misfits who like shooting and looting. Their goal is to retrieve a gun that can kill the past. It’s an absurd game with a nonsensical premise. If you want a game that’s insanely fun and wacky, this will bode well for you.
Cadence of Hyrule
Cadence of Hyrule was a fun blend between Crypt of the NecroDancer and The Legend of Zelda. It contains excellent rhythmic gameplay, beautiful visuals, and an energetic atmosphere. In this game, you follow Cadence, the protagonist of Crypt of the NecroDancer. She gets warped to Hyrule by the Triforce and wakes up alongside Link and Zelda.
Cadence wants to return home but Link and Zelda aim to defeat Octavo’s four champions. Therefore, we control each character to discover how their story unfolds. Like Cult of the Lamb, this game features fun monster-slaying action and blends it with a unique genre. This game balances rhythm-based and dungeon-crawler gameplay well.
You’ll move and attack to a musical beat. Each enemy has a different attack pattern. This entices players to develop clever strategies while playing the game. The game’s music is stellar and will tug at The Legend of Zelda fans’ heartstrings. The controls can take a while to master since it’s not as simple as it sounds. However, if you spend some time with it, you’re guaranteed to fall in love with this magical collaborative title.
So there we have it, our 8 video game picks to keep you busy after playing Cult of the Lamb.
What do you think of our picks? Do you agree? Are there any notable omissions? Let us know in the comments below!