Devolver Digital's newest game, Cult of the Lamb, has quickly become a surprise hit, already hailed by many as one of this year's best roguelikes. One part cute town management sim with an adorable cartoon art style and one part hardcore roguelike with dark, demonic themes, Cult of the Lamb is a very interesting experience, to say the least.
Cult of the Lamb requires players to do a lot of different things at once, from difficult hack-and-slash fights to farming with cult followers and even playing cute dice mini-games. Since the roguelike genre has gained a lot of popularity in recent years, there's no doubt that many gamers will pick this one up. However, with such a unique style and so many gameplay styles to juggle, Cult of the Lamb can be hard for new players to figure out where to even begin. With that in mind, this guide will share a few tips and tricks to get players started with Cult of the Lamb.
Increase and Manage the Number of Followers
Players will need to keep increasing their follower count if they want to progress through the game's story. It's not only important to get new followers, but it's also important to take care of the ones already in the cult. As the cult grows, players will need more resources to give the new followers food and a roof over their heads, so while gaining new followers is important, a good cult leader shouldn't be in a rush to expand the ranks if they don't have the room for those followers. Players need to find a good balance between inviting new followers and growing the infrastructure of the town.
On the other hand, there are times when it's a good idea to actually reduce the number of followers in the cult. If players are running low on resources or need to be revived during Crusades, sacrificing a villager or two can be a quick fix. This comes in handy a bit later in the game, when the very first followers of the cult grow old and become incapable of performing chores for the cult. Instead of waiting for them to pass of old age naturally and needing to bury them, sacrificing the older followers for spare parts makes them useful again for one final time. It may sound harsh, but that's basically the theme of Cult of the Lamb.
Take Advantage of Crusades
The dungeon-crawling roguelike side of Cult of the Lamb is called Crusades, aptly named for a game about cults. The first thing to know about Crusades is that they can take up a lot of time in the in-game day and night cycle. Since the cult can suffer if its leader is away for too long, players should try to schedule leaving for a Crusade as early in the morning as they can, so that by the time they come back, the cult will only have been on their own for a day or two.
However, just because a Crusade might take a while doesn't mean that players should just try to rush through them to the boss fight. Players should take the time to explore, as they can not only miss out on finding better equipment but also the valuable Tarot Cards, which give the player temporary buffs every time they find them during Crusades. Skipping dungeon rooms can make or break a Crusade, and getting through Crusades in one piece as often as possible is important for growing the cult.
Balance Between Fighting and Cult Management
There are two major sides to Cult of the Lamb, the cult management and the roguelike adventure, which make for a gameplay loop that feels like a strange combination of The Binding of Isaac and Stardew Valley. Both of the game's two sides loop into the other, and while a player might naturally lean toward whichever side of it they personally prefer, it's important to note that each makes the other easier.
For example, if a player stays with the cult for several days, growing the infrastructure and farms and teaching sermons, their character will grow stronger for the next time they go on a Crusade, making the fights much easier. On the other hand, if a player goes out and does a lot of Crusades, they'll find more resources and followers, making the cult management side of the game easier.