The Horror at Highrook

This game is great. Writing is great too. Well done.

It's a good 4-hour experience, blending elements of Darkest Dungeon and Book of Hours. Not super difficult, I never felt really in danger of losing, but it doesn't overstay its welcome and I enjoyed the story & the overall presentation. Would definitely recommend, just be aware its a shorter game and there's limited replayability.

Excellent game for those who enjoy cosmic horror but would prefer to go at their own pace. Evokes the Arkham Horror LCG with similar concept and playstyle, often feeling like a solo card game with engaging rules, story, and secrets. The story and characters are great. I played it on the easier setting, where hunger and madness effects were less severe, and I still felt like I had to make some difficult decisions as the game progressed. The ability to pause time is much appreciated, as I often get analysis paralysis. This game gives you the time to ponder as much as you like. Also, you can pet the cat.

Short and sweet. The Horror at Highrook is a "card-based crafting" RPG; mechanically, it's reminiscent of Cultist Simulator or Book of Hours, though the tone is closer to that of Cultist Simulator. I'm not entirely sure if there are failure states, but there is a sense of pressure via the survival elements. It also does a better job of explaining its mechanics than either Weather Factory offering, so may be a better introduction to the genre. The characters are interesting, if loosely sketched; the art is satisfactory if not particularly noteworthy; the writing does the job, though it's a little sloppy. Scratches the "occult investigation" itch and doesn't overstay its welcome. (It is, however, not possible to get all achievements in a single playthrough.) If you enjoyed Cultist Simulator but found the roguelike nature too punishing, or if you enjoyed Book of Hours but found it too long, The Horror at Highrook will be right up your alley. (If you enjoyed either unqualifiedly, snap it up yesterday; just be aware that Betts is not Kennedy, and the writing is both not as evocative and a little unpolished.)