Call of Cthulhu is the first game we’re playing for the launch of the new Backlog podcast. For the uninitiated, Backlog involves taking an older game and playing it over 3-4 weeks, with each week’s podcast being an intense discussion of a very specific portion of the game.
Cthulu is pretty hard to acquire for the Xbox — as only a few copies are found via Gamestop or Amazon — but it is readily available on PC. If you want to get it on PC, simply go to direct2drive.com and search for Call of Cthulhu. It costs $29.95, but it sure as hell beats haggling with some online seller or hoping you win an auction on ebay!
Much love,
Chuf
EDIT: We’re going to play up to the SEWERS for the first podcast. Thanks, Greg for pointing that out!
EDIT 2: If you encounter issues running the game on PC and find solutions or workarounds, feel free to post those in the comments as well. We’ll be sure to do the same.
What’s the 1st point to play up to in order to be in sync with the next podcast? I have a boxed PC copy that I’ve never gotten around to playing.
Im on that like white on rice.
$29.95!?The Xbox version is 12.99 at Gamestop.
I got it at Amazon, used for $20.00. It should get here by next week.
I love the backlog! Especially in this case, with a game I haven’t already played the hell out of.
Every single backlog you guys have chosen has been a game I’ve bought and haven’t got around to or loved and was thinking about giving it another run through. Kudos.
gamefly claims a high availability…
Fantastic idea! I was working on a business plan for you guys, where we the listeners and fans could support you by purchasing (or donating) external content. This way you can do podcast as a job and not worrying about finding advertisement. Essentially making your self the “advertisers” and Geekbox, RebleFM, and Area5 your promotional tool to attract us (fans, listeners) to buy your stuff.
So part of the idea was:
1 Fan supported content
a. audio Cliff notes / SparkNotes for old games:
Most of us don’t have time/patients/interest to play certain games. I will never play games like King’s Quest or the Clock Tower. But I want to know the story, and I will spend 99 cents to 2 dollars to have someone tell me the whole thing. There is 7 Kings quest so I am more than happy to pay 7~14 dollar to have ryan, jenn, and others to fill me in. And if there is 500 of us listeners buying, then you’ll make at least 500 dollars per episode.
b.Game Center C.A
There is no Game Center CX in America. So I would donate a buck or two to watch someone go through mega man or the first ninja gaiden in agony. Since most of you are pretty coordination it had to be something like – you only get to eat breakfast until you beat the game.
i. so how do you know what we would to buy?
There is couple of free surveying site like polldaddy. Where we can submit what we want to buy. So if there are 200 people want to buy kings quest 3, but 700 wants FF 2. You know what to roll out next and how much money you could make.
Still typing…
Sorry for the spelling and the grammar – its bit late here in new york and I’ve been working all day.
c.Team A vs Team B. dare Lan Party
Pick a team, pick a game, pick a dare (something crazy like running naked around walmart parking lot). Yeah I’ll pay money to see that.
d. jerry springer fan boy style.
I want to see ps3 fan boys and 360 fanboys duke it out.
ii. fan submissions
I bet there are fans far more creative then me will come up with a great show idea. And I believe once you roll out enough shows you can actually make some decent money.
Still typing…
Call of Cthulhu: Dark Corners of the Earth
lol u left out the h at as the 2ed last letter might wanna fix that i had a hard time finding it with out putting the h
2. Affiliation program.
Ryan Scott already set up the Amazon Affiliation on geekbox. And there is couple of more affiliation program out there. A game is a game, it doesn’t matter if I get it from you or get them through gamespot.
Ok… there more but I think I’ve been typing gibberish. I’ll write more when I get a good sleep.
Got a boxed copy off Amazon new for $19, pretty excited to play this. That’s a pretty solid deal considering a non-boxed copy via download version is 30 dollars off D2D. I’m also a collector and live to have things lined up on my shelf, so for me personally. this was a fucking score!
2 questions: is the xbox version the same as PC? Does xbox version work on 360 (backwards)?
I’ll be getting it.. Even if I don’t want to shell out 30 bucks at the moment but hell I really do want to play, since it is a Lovecraft game. If morrowind plays well on my computer this should too.
Anyway next you guys should still do another Lovecraften game… /cough Eternal Darkness.
@TD
I think they said in the podcast that it was backwards compatable with the 360.
Just to be sure. You will have played through to the sewers BEFORE the next podcast? So I should go ahead and play this far before next week if I want to follow you?
I’ll be waiting to see everyone’s reaction when the game shifts genres especially after last episodes lengthy discussion. I enjoyed the game up until one specific part and then gave up.
Picking my xbox copy up from the local gamestop. Now where did I put that xbox?
Oh and another thing, for those trying to run searches on gamestop, amazon, etc., the spelling is Cthulhu…don’t forget that extra H before the U.
#9 is correct and you have the title misspelled. Searching for ‘Cthulu’ will render zero results at d2d. Cthulhu is correct.
“Backlog is the most innovative podcasting feature of 2008 and is sure to revolutionize the genre.” -Boxquote Weekly
Do you guys have any plans for a forum so that listeners can add their comments to the backlog discussion?
Also, Call of Cthulhu is based on a short story by H. P. Lovecraft call “The Shadow Over Innsmouth” which can be read at: http://www.mythostomes.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=61&Itemid=74
Hmm will have to check this out
You DUKES! This game is awesome. Its actually a pretty faithful recreation of a tabletop RPG scenario called escape from Innsmouth. Before I faint with glee I’m going to recommend you check out the film Dagon and the band “The darkest of the hillside thickets”
Ia ia Ftaghn. Cthulhu Ia ftaghn!
Just curious but who chose the game? I played halfway through it, and enjoyed the vibe and ambition but thought it was all horribly executed. The stealth is just too unforgiving, for me. My memories of the game aren’t too favorable, but if you guys sell me on it I guess I’ll try it again after your first podcast on it.
A nice future pick would be Bully. I’m not the biggest fan of the GTA games, but Bully has a charm and originality that speaks to me. The game is horribly overlooked, so I think it would be a great future pick.
Either way, keep it up Chuff (literally!) Look forward to the podness.
I’m pretty excited, I was kind of LttP with 1UP FM and didn’t have time to tackle the STALKER or Beyond Good and Evil backlogs with you guys, but now I’ve got Call of Cthulhu ordered and looking forward to playing through this game. I’ll echo the ‘keep up the good work’ sentiment. This podcast has become a highlight of my week.
cripes, the point of backlog is not necessarily to pick the “bestest game evar”
my cat just died
i’m glad to see that ppl love their cats just as much as i did….
as for the FPS debate, i can see where everyone is coming from, even though i don’t really agree with anyone’s argument 100%.
great show.
Oooh nice pick! I’ve always been a huge Lovecraft fan and this game got next to no exposure when it *finally* came out after being delayed to hell and back. I was working game retail when it came out and out of every store in our district, only *one* got it in stock…and a single copy at that. Needless to say, I had it transferred to my store and it went home with me that night.
…and sadly, I never finished it. I actually only got as far as the *SPOILER* chase scene where they come after you in the hotel during the night. *END SPOILER*
This’ll give me a reason to pull my Xbox out of mothballs and restart it though. Looking forward to hearing it!
I already have the game on Xbox, so don’t worry about me
I’m at the place where you first meet a reptile monster in the cave, where you have to put the icy door on fire.
The Wikipedia page mentioned a patch/mod that fixes bugs that make the game unfinishable but doesn’t cite a source. Anyone familiar with this?
Awesome choice! I just got into Arkham Horror (Lovecraftian boardgame) and was about to get CoC. Was going to get the PC version as it is probably less buggy, but my local Gamestop had the xbox version for $12.50 so $$$ won out!
BTW, the chicklet there said that in a few weeks they would no longer stock any used xbox games. Not sure if that is a national policy or a local one (it is a very small PX store) but if there are any used xbox games you want, might want to jump on it.
Pumped for this – ordered my copy through Amazon. I listened through BG&E Backlog and regretted not playing along.
Question – when will the first episode come out? Will it be within Rebel FM or a separate podcast through iTunes?
Bought from GameStop online using cag16 and saver to get free shipping. Ended up spending $30, but I got other Rebel FM recommendations: Condemned 1 and Splinter Cell Double Agent.
Damn GameStop for not allowing me to buy the game be assured I’d get the manual and case. I’m too anal retentive to risk getting it without box and manual. I’d pay an extra couple bucks to ensure that I got it complete.
Has anyone else found this complete for less than $20? I have almost 90 xbox games, and somehow I don’t have this one, and never played it. It was in my goozex on hold cue, but I’m 50 points short. Shit.
Epically Co-Incidental, the sewers are up to the point that I’ve already played – like a year ago.
Colour me enthusiastic
To “The Dude”, I can loan you 50 goozex points, if that is possible (can we trade points if a game exchange doesn’t take place first?). Anyway, let me know.
Thanks Jason10mm, that’s a really nice offer. I don’t think there’s any way to do it though. I should probably just buy 100 points, but I hate buying points that aren’t on sale.
Yeah I’m a cheapassgamer type.
GoGamer has it for Xbox for $10.
http://www.gogamer.com/viewproduct.htm?productId=46218462&extid=FroogleVG
Just to note, Direct2Drive’s UK store doesn’t have it listed from what I can see. I’ll try out the local stores and see what I can find.
I just went ahead and ordered it on gamestop using those coupon codes above. If it doesn’t have the case and manual I’ll order them off of ebay for $8.
BTW, you can get this on Game Quest Direct for $25. I think there’s a free shipping coupon on cag too, but I can’t recall what it is.
http://www.gamequestdirect.com/710425297205.html
I ordered a game from them a month ago and it came quickly.
Oh that’s a new copy from game quest direct.
Shame can’t get it on Direct2Drive in Australia, grabbing it from an EB Games. Good choice for a backlog, never played this game, saw it on the shelves, that’s about it.
Maybe contact websites like Gog, Steam, Direct2Drive, Impulse etc. and get advertising deals… “This episode of Rebel FM brought to you by Good Old Games” and they could give you coupon codes for the week’s backlog game to tell Rebel FM users; this’ll enhance their sales, give you a slight advertisement income, and make gamers try more things due to the coupon codes. Just an idea!
@Alan I’m sorry to hear about your cat. That’s always difficult.
Does anyone know if the pc version works with a gamepad?
Kindgalaxy said:
“This episode of Rebel FM brought to you by Good Old Games” and they could give you coupon codes for the week’s backlog game to tell Rebel FM users; this’ll enhance their sales, give you a slight advertisement income, and make gamers try more things due to the coupon codes. Just an idea!
I think that’s a great idea.
Yes! My store had a copy! I have always wanted to try this game… Now I get to try it with the great peeps of eastsleepgame… except all those assholes that want to hate Arthur.
Fuck them.
Got it from Direct2Drive, and finally got it working after it fought with Vista for a while. Where should we send listener e-mails for the backlog? Is there a separate address for it?
So, I booted up the Direct2Drive version and played the Prologue. It froze during the cutscene immediately following the prologue, then I ran it in compatibility mode, and it worked, so you guys might want to try that.
I’m running Vista 64 Bit, by the way.
Okay, after doing some research on bugs, here’s the scoop.
Here is a link to a bunch of savegame files for the entire game, so that if you encounter a game-stopping bug you can skip to just past it:
http://tinyurl.com/c4xaqw (Scroll down to the Call of Cthulhu link)
There’s also a part at the very end that some describe as either too difficult by design, or impossible and it’s a bug. This patch can fix it because it will make your character run faster:
http://tinyurl.com/3r448r
I haven’t tried these firsthand, but I hope they help!
Thirty dollars on D2D? That’s almost the price of a new game. That said downloading now, this will be the first backlog that I’ve actually played along with.
I managed to get it for xbox from amazon.ca for 30 bucks.
Hard to believe I didn’t know there was a game based on an H.P Lovecraft story. Good job on the choice.
Man, had to stop playing for a second, it is creepy as hell… just got up to trying to solve some grocery store missing person… pushing a shelving unit to block a door and this guard rushes me and scares the crap out of me. Fuck that, I’m gonna play Viva Pinata for a few; need some pretty.
Pity D2D doesn’t work in australia. Found it pretty damn cheap from gameplanet online. $22.16 australia, and then delivery.
Have a look at https://www.gpstore.com.au/Games/1513011.html for it. Hope that helps people!
Oh, and awesome podcast and site!
I’m on the fence of whether I should pick this up or not. Sounds a bit too creepy for my tastes, but would love to follow along on a backlog. Will probably sit this one out and jump in on the next backlog.
Just a request for a future Baglog:
Pick a game that us PS3 only players can play also. I know that you’ve talked about playing more recent games that are from this generation and I just keep hoping that it will be on the next Backlog. Here’s to hoping I can join in on one without going out and getting an Arcade 360.
I’m soooo glad this was picked. I played through this game once when it came out and was disappointed that it didn’t receive much coverage. I thought there were a lot of really good ideas in the game even if there were a few bugs and frustrating parts.
Just thought it an interesting detail, but I read that this game was never intended to be ported to PC. It was actually just a one man project that someone took on at the company, and they decided to give it an official release. This would explain why it’s so buggy and why they didn’t bother to implement a more PC-friendly quicksave feature. I’m sure patches have made it better then it was at release, so I don’t think picking up the PC version will ruin the experience.
Is anyone playing this on a 360 (backwords compatable)? Any major bugs? I heard the sound doesn’t match up…
Xfire in game was crashing it for me. Just played through to the sewer no problem once I disabled that. I’m on Vista 64.
Just a heads up for people playing on the 360. IIRC, the game does a little bit of installing the first time you run it, but it acts weird on the 360. Basically, it has to install its cache if you have played a different backwards compatible game since you played CoC last.
So, play some CoC, then throw in Halo:CE, and you’ll end up sitting through the install screen next time you play CoC. I think you can play 360 games without this issue coming up, it’s just BC games that cause it. I hypothesize that the OG Xbox allowed games to create caches on the harddrive, but the 360 only has a small amount of its harddrive devoted to that and it gets rewritten each time you play a BC game.
@Luke Wow, that’s really weird.
The spoilerish area #27’s talking about has me so frustrated right now I’m ready to chuck this thing out the window. This monotonous exercise is the very definition of trial and error. This has to be similar to what I’ve heard Jeff Green complain of with Mirrors Edge.
Prior to this section the game was engrossing and captivating. I’ll keep practicing at it but right now if I had a time machine somebody at Bethesda, years ago, would be wondering why they just got a kick to the balls while writing this part of the design doc.
I can’t even get the BC to work. Any help? It says everything is updated. I really hope I didn’t just waste $15
err. I suppose someone at Headfirst should be on the receiving end of my imaginary time traveling retribution. Thought I had better correct myself before someone else did.
Just started a new game on my 360, and there is at least one problem with BC. The background music doesn’t work. The game does play fine other than that…so far.
“I’m sure patches have made it better then it was at release, so I don’t think picking up the PC version will ruin the experience.”
From what I can tell, there are no patches. The company went out of business soon after.
This game is fun, but I wish it didn’t have any combat. There are some pretty creepy moments in it, although if it had the audio quality of Dead Space it could be pretty damn amazing. I hope we get a new Lovecraft game on next gen systems.
Oh yeah, and if you play CoC:DCotE on 360 via BC, there are some issues with cutscenes at times and also near the end of the game there are issues with the game freezing. If you can combat these issues and overcome them, then you are OK. On PC I didn’t see to have any issues with the game as long as I wasn’t running the game through STEAM (which I do for almost all of my games, minus Quake Live and WOW). I have also heard of this game having a lot of issues on Windows VISTA.
I’ve started it on the pc and the game is quiet interesting. Soon as you guys mentioned it was a scary game I was on board. Love creepy games. I am playing the pc version and it seems a bit buggy. There is some text in the loading screens but the game loads so fast on my pc I don’t even have enough time to read them (hope I am not missing anything important). Other then that just little graphic errors and a crash.
Will we have a post soon telling how far to get into the game so people don’t get to far ahead?
I’ve heard about this game as well but never really got around to it. The company who made this game went belly up back in 06′ so I don’t see an issue with ‘not’ downloading this.
Vista issues: Make sure you run in Windows compatibility mode (http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows-vista/using-windows-vista-compatibility-mode/) with Win. XP SP2 and you should be good to go. I did still notice an issue with closing the game as it causes my speakers to make a horrible shrilling sound that never ends until I reboot.
Sammo: BC = Blackcats? I’m a member as well. same name.
There had to be a sewer level…
I know Anthony said it was it was difficult to find in Gamestop but I would give it a try. The Gamestop I went too had plenty of copies. It’s only $12.99 for XBox and it’s BC so you can play it on the 360.
Got it and played through up to the sewers (we are playing up to the START of the sewers right?).
Really enjoyed it, is there a place we are meant to be posting our thoughts? I’ve got a few things I’d like to say on it, but don’t want to spoil it for anyone!
I had no idea Bethesda developed this game- can’t wait to start!
Call of Cthulhu is perfect for backlog, played it ages and loved it. Core gameplay mechanics may be basic and nothing special but the design and general vibe they created with that game is super engaging and even sorta disturbing in parts.
dont wanna spoil anything but there’s one part in particular i look forward to hearin all your comments about & it involves a creepy little girl and an attic.
XP issue: Warning for other people using XP, you may or may not have this problem I am experiencing. DO NOT minimize the game, my game always crashes when I alt-tab back to it. Solution: Don’t minimize it lol.
I have not found any other issues so far.
I think this is gonna be a great Backlog, the game is so atmospheric and creepy.
get shawn elliot and troll second life and make after action reports .. nuff said
@Tim Van Tassel
I believe they were the publisher, not the developer.
If I play Backlog with you all, am I going to have to listen to Arthur say “____ has ____’s dick up their ass” and other disgusting homophobic utterances again?
Im going to attempt to replay it again. However last time I tried I *Spoiler* Got up to the ship part where you have to shoot the blue lights with the cannon. However if I try to zoom it wont zoom aso I cant see the lights. If anyone can find a save file just after this section it would be much appreciated *Spoiler*
I’ll be sitting this one out. But how about the next game for backlog be Max Payne 1? You can get Max Payne 1 and 2 for 20 bucks on steam and it still holds up to this day. I’ve been wanting a good reason to go back to it, and this seems like a fine time as any.
@Camosid
That seems to be an extremely common bug. Save files are at http://tinyurl.com/c4xaqw
Don’t ask me how to plug the files in to the game, because I don’t know. Haven’t tried yet.
*SPOILER* Would you consider the beginning of the sewer stage about where you roll the truck down the hill and break the fan?* because that’s where I’m at.
The unofficial patch/trainer is here:
http://www.tahionic.com/computers/Call%20of%20Cthulhu%20-%20Dark%20Corners%20of%20the%20Earth/game%20cheats.html
It changes some aspects of the physics model (jump height, movement speed), and weapons (ammo capacity) that would tend to make the game easier. There are still known show-stopping bugs, but as long as you keep at least two alternating saves and are aware of the dead Ruth NPC bug, you should be ok.
I stopped at the first save point after that once you get in and see the first goo.
Nice choice, guys. I just played up to the sewers and I’m liking it so far. Scary as hell. The scene in the attic scared the shit out of me.
Yeah, I stopped after the goo as well. Hopefully that’s the right place. Wasn’t sure if it was *through* the sewers, but it sounds like I stopped at the right place.
if you’re playing it on the pc, be sure to keep the framerate high (~50-60). if its in the 25-30 FPS range the charachter will actually move slower, which will make some parts of the game impossible to finish.
how or why I have no idea, so if your having problems completing scripted running events try it.
I’ve read the the two main bugs in the PC version are the Frame Rate/Movement speed bug, and the Shooting the Blue lights bit Camosid mentioned above.
Just saved at the “goo” also. Great game so far, can’t believe I didn’t play this in the past, good selection guys.
Looks like another episode to pass on.
@albedos and others
The attic scene… you know it’s coming a mile away. But christ almighty, I still jumped back and shivered with horror. Damn the sounds in this game.
The VOICE! The voice of one of the townsmen when you first get off the bus… holy what the? Ungodliest voice I’ve ever heard.
Well maybe not “ungodliest”, “inhuman” is more like it. Because if Cthulhu can be considered a god than that fella was full of the spirit.
Hmm, why not make three comments in a row?
In vista I’ve also experienced the alt-tab crash. Another cause of crashes has been FRAPS, I’ve just been snapping the odd-screenshot every so often — with FRAPS on I get a crash to desktop every five to ten minutes. With FRAPS off the game runs fine.
What strikes me the most is that I still don’t have a weapon! So far the whole game has been that helpless feeling you get at the beginning of Half-life games before you get a weapon.
Yeah, the lack of a weapon so far, though I did find bullets + the lack of a save anywhere feature really makes me feel paranoid and helpless playing the game.
Dang, shit gets real at the “Fishmen” part
*spoiler* the escape from the hotel, though incredibly frustrating, has really got me excited for the rest of this game. looking forward to the backlog.
just picked up the xbox version, although I was looking for the PC version, this was only 10 bucks at my local GS..haven’t been in one of those in ages. It’s more like a “used games gallery” for c’s sake. My old PC section is all but gone. The other GS in the area just opened up a whole wall for the PC(yeah, not one of those shitty kiosk stands), which shocked the hell out of me, very nice to see.
I have to say that I really like the vibe but so far the Stealth mechanics just frustate me. I feel like it should have a Siren style look through their eyes thing. Or atleast when I get caught automatically kill me.
I downloaded the game this morning and I’m just barely into it. Just got the key to the Poor House and I’m looking for Tom Waits (or somebody with a similar name). I wasted a lot of time running around with a bottle of hobo liquor, and replaying that area, because I didn’t know that there was an escape hatch behind the counter. Pretty good so far, reminds me of Eternal Darkness in a weird way, but hopefully I’m into the Sewers before the podcast.
A perfect opportunity for me to actually play through this game!
I’m only an hour in, but I really like it so far. Really loving the mood it sets up. The freak accident in the attic disturbed the hell out of me. Just great!