Announced at Gamescom in August 2021, the Devolver Digital published dungeon-crawling, base-building roguelikeCult of the Lambimmediately gained attention for its unique mix of cute with horror. Players take on the role of a possessed lamb who has been rescued by a stranger and must as a result begin a cult in his savior’s name. Developed by Massive Monster,Cult of the Lambhas been compared toDon’t Starvedue to its art style and even some gameplay elements.
People shouldn’t get the wrong idea from the cutesy graphics, however. The game’s director, Julian Wilton, has stated thatCult of the Lambtook inspiration from horror filmslikeMidsommarandHereditary,which are both known for generating a growing sense of unease rather than tossing in gore for shock value. In that vein, the cute art style will not dampen the horror, said Wilton, but will instead work “like a nice juxtaposition.” The dark elements ofCult of the Lambwill feel that much more jarring because of their pleasant backdrop.
RELATED:Every New Trailer Shown Off at the Devolver Digital Showcase
During June’s Summer Game Fest, theDevolver DigitalShowcase treated viewers to a few new trailers, including one forCult of the Lamb.In it, an unfortunate pig travels through a spooky and monster-infested forest, but just when it seems overwhelmed, the game’s titular lamb heroically appears to lead the pig to safety, or at least back to the cult compound. In addition to the enticing aesthetics and cheerful music that will likely lure many gamers in, the trailer also revealed the game’s August 11 release date.
For those eager to jump into a cute cult and think that August 11 is a bit too far away, there is currently a PC demo available on Steam, which shows thetwo distinct gameplay elements ofCult of the Lamb. The game is a roguelike with maze-like dungeons that call to mindThe Legend of ZeldaorThe Binding of Isaac.Players will encounter bloodthirsty, close-quarters combat, which they tackle using a variety of weapons, health boosts, and other resources. In stark contrast, the more serene base-building element is where the player will indoctrinate new cult members and gather useful items like wood, stone, and food.
The other games showcased at the Devolver Digital event at Summer Game Fest wereCard Shark,which has already released,Anger Foot, Skate Story,and anew adventure game calledThe Plucky Squirethat’s being developed by All Possible Futures, a studio cofounded in 2019 byPokemon Sword and ShieldArt Director James Turner andThe Swords of DittoGame Director Jonathan Biddle.
Cult of the Lambwill release on Jul 24, 2025, for PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X.
MORE:Cult of the Lamb’s Console Inclusivity Bodes Well For Its Release
