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Description
In Cthulhu: Death May Die, inspired by the writings of H.P. Lovecraft, you and your fellow players represent investigators in the 1920s who instead of trying to stop the coming of Elder Gods, want to summon those otherworldly beings so that you can put a stop to them permanently. You start the game insane, and while your long-term goal is to shoot Cthulhu in the face, so to speak, at some point during the game you'll probably fail to mitigate your dice rolls properly and your insanity will cause you to do something terrible — or maybe advantageous. Hard to know for sure.
The game has multiple episodes, and each of them has a similar structure of two acts, those being before and after you summon whatever it is you happen to be summoning. If any character dies prior to the summoning, then the game ends and you lose; once the Elder One is on the board, as long as one of you is still alive, you still have a chance to win.
The episodes are all standalone and not contingent on being played in a certain order or with the same players.
Year Published
2019
Transcript Analysis
Browse transcript mentions, sentiments, pros/cons, mechanics, topics, quotes, and references.
Total mentions: 9
This page: 9
Sentiment:
pos 8 ·
mix 1 ·
neu 0 ·
neg 0
Showing 1–9 of 9
Video 1-VCNd4K6lo
Meet Me at the Table playthrough at 0:00 sentiment: positive
video_pk 13499 · mention_pk 39474
Click to watch at 0:00
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Impressive upgrade components (3D tokens, 3D Tom interfaces)
- Dynamic combat with stacking dice synergy from Brawling, Marksman, Insanity, and weapons
- Escalating risk-reward loop via Insanity track and psychotic outbreaks
- Great thematic feel with a fan-made scenario that ties into the base game
Cons
- Can be brutally punishing; endless spawning and Raleigh tokens create pressure
- Complex rule interactions may overwhelm new players
- Reliance on luck of Mythos/discovery cards can swing games unpredictably
Thematic elements
- Lovecraftian horror, occult conspiracy, ritual disruption
- An occult ritual site in a Lovecraftian world; investigators confront eldritch horrors while disrupting a ritual
- episodic, story-first with escalating dread and ritual events
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Dice-driven combat — attack resolution uses custom dice with successes and insanity results
- forbidden knowledge tokens — Loot tokens that unlock powerful advantages but influence the track and conversion to Tome tokens
- insanity track — Investigator sanity worsens with certain results and triggers special abilities; risk of death at red spaces
- mythos and discovery cards — Decks create events, summons, and rewards with risks and benefits
- ritual disruption — Players need to disrupt the ritual, otherwise Eldritch horrors advance and spawn cultists
- scaling enemy waves via Star Spawn, Ghoul, Cthonian, etc. — Controlled by Mythos cards and track advancement
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- I really love how those 3D tokens look.
- The Insanity track is one of the best parts of this game.
- Star Spawn is toast.
- This scenario is absolutely brutal.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video h2tKcIJmOJA
Cthulhu Death May Die Gameplay playthrough at 0:00 sentiment: positive
video_pk 13334 · mention_pk 39114
Click to watch at 0:00
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- highly thematic Lovecraftian flavor with cinematic table presence
- powerful character builds and synergy (e.g., marksman, big game hunter) create satisfying combat tempo
- scaling difficulty with mythos cards and Yog gate mechanics keeps tension high
- flexible tool-kit style upgrades and item interactions (e.g., jade amulet, necronomicon) enable varied playthroughs
Cons
- extreme chaos may overwhelm new players and slow down early rounds
- rule density and many token interactions can create steep learning curve
- graphic content and dark humor pieces may not be suitable for all audiences
Thematic elements
- horror investigation with ritual combat and eldritch threats
- Gothic Lovecraftian location; ritual disruption in a cursed mansion
- cinematic, scenario-driven with real-time chaos
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- dice-based combat with elder signs — attack and resolve using pools of black and green dice; elder signs can count as successes or special outcomes via items like the sinister book
- mythos/monster management — gates and Yog gates spawn enemies and force movement toward investigators; color out of space and other elders spawn with escalating effects
- scenario-based objectives — each scenario places different ritual disruption mechanics (e.g., blowing up spaces, collecting ingredients, triggering elder signs) to disrupt the ritual
- slaughter/bloodthirst progression — a track-based progression system for upgrading investigator abilities by defeating enemies and taking stress to improve dice/output
- tokenized resources and stacking risk — ingredients tokens (sulfur, charcoal, saltpeter) grant effects but trigger wounds/stress if accumulated; tokens are non-tradable
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- Patience and persistence. Yes, sir. That's how you hunt.
- Yog is the biggest game there is.
- Move Wilbur Watley two spaces towards you. If he's not on the board, we summoned him at the starting space.
- Color out of space. If this deals any wounds, the defender loses two additional sanity.
- The semi-mythical home of Vlad the Impaler is everything you might expect from a Gothic castle.
- I'm a big game hunter and that's a big game.
- The Dunwich Horror. Move all Yog gate tokens one space towards me.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video 5qWnVoXu2bQ
Foster the Meeple top_10_list at 9:23 sentiment: positive
video_pk 11033 · mention_pk 32472
Click to watch at 9:23
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Unique dynamic with hidden goals
- Great gaming experiences
- Lots of fun getting super powerful
- Thematic insanity mechanic
Cons
- Was higher on last year's list
- Complex with many moving parts
Thematic elements
- Fighting Cthulhu and otherworldly beings
- Lovecraftian horror - cosmic entities
- Lovecraftian horror theme
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- boss battle — Fighting big boss monsters like Cthulhu or Hastur
- Character Stats — Increasing player character stats throughout game
- Dice Chucker — Rolling lots of dice for combat
- Hidden Goals — Secret win conditions that might turn you against the group
- sanity system — Going insane to become more powerful but can flip win conditions
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- Azul is just a classic classic game
- I will always want to play this game it's a staple
- Racing is my favorite game mechanic
- I love watching everything kind of like waterfall off of each other
- Castles of Burgundy is incredible I love Castle's birdie
- I love this game so basically like the world is dying
- The best part about Black Angel the little robot guys
- Bet on yourself always always I don't even care if I lose the game believe in yourself
- Dice Throne is an incredible 1v1 battle Yahtzee game
- Wingspan I am almost always in a game of Wingspan on BGA
- This game is beautifully designed it just feels good when you play it
- I can't win and I am getting freaking sick of it
- It's always a great time when it hits the table
- Paint the Roses is a Cooperative deduction game
- I've fallen back in love with it
- Some of the best gaming experiences I've had is playing that game
- I really really love Flamme Rouge it is an excellent game
- I will fall in love with this game it's got the recipe for it to be like a top 10 game
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video egrvmFJsrys
Unknown Channel playthrough at 0:00 sentiment: positive
video_pk 10972 · mention_pk 32344
Click to watch at 0:00
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Tense cooperative play with escalating threats
- Flavorful tokens and cards (bone tokens, Excalibur, stale baguette)
- Character traits enabling diverse play (Arcane Mastery, Brawling)
Cons
- Rules can be complex and occasionally confusing
- Luck variance with dice
- Heavy component tracking (tokens, bones, graves)
Thematic elements
- Cosmic horror, cults, bone altar ritual
- Paris catacombs and occult ritual
- scenario-driven cooperative play with escalating threats
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- bone tokens and graves — bones can be collected and placed in graves; more bones in a grave increases difficulty
- dice pool combat — rolling dice to generate successes and effects
- Mythos cards — events that move monsters, spawn enemies, adjust board state
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- Excalibur.
- Bag of Franks.
- The walls are closing in.
- Look at you. You're fast now.
- Kzia Mason is going to spawn on the farthest gate.
- Hastur is dead.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video lWfUoUBIC6Q
Unknown Channel top_10_list at 26:05 sentiment: positive
video_pk 10571 · mention_pk 31145
Click to watch at 26:05
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- highly cinematic boss battles
- ever-expanding powers and monstrous foes
- great for groups who love Lovecraftian themes
Cons
- dice-heavy at times
- can be chaotic for new players
Thematic elements
- cosmic horror, cults, tentacled horrors
- cooperative dungeon-crawl set in Lovecraftian mythos
- campaign-like episodic adventures with escalating threats
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- boss-style encounters — Epic confrontations with powerful antagonists and evolving challenges.
- cooperative play — Players work together to stop a cult and confront monstrous threats.
- dice-based combat and mitigation — Dice outcomes drive combat and event resolution.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- Arkham Horror is an insanely beloved game with a ton of available content
- not all of this is Halloween but some of it certainly feels similar to unsettled
- Final Girl is there for you which is probably more of my audience than I'd like to admit
- this is very Halloween the comma my book is all about the occult
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video FATRx4_2UeQ
The Secret Cabal Gaming Podcast top_10_list at 16:43 sentiment: positive
video_pk 6040 · mention_pk 17884
Click to watch at 16:43
Overall sentiment (raw)
extremely positive
Pros
- Innovative episode-based gameplay
- Humorous approach to Lovecraftian horror
- Detailed storytelling
- Ability to defeat great old ones
Cons
none
Thematic elements
- Defeating Cosmic Entities
- Lovecraftian Horror
- Episodic
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Dice combat — Attacking monsters with dice-based combat
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- These are the 10 best that I love from this year
- I didn't play every single game
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video NBG8ouw5OzY
Foster the Meele top_10_list at 1:42 sentiment: positive
video_pk 5681 · mention_pk 16895
Click to watch at 1:42
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Super chaotic and fun
- Dice rolling mechanics are satisfying
- Insanity mechanic is creative
- Can roll huge amounts of damage
Cons
none
Thematic elements
- Cosmic horror summoning
- Lovecraftian
- One-shot scenarios
Comparison games
- Mansions of Madness
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Character progression — Character upgrades and insanity tracking
- Dice rolling — Heavy dice-based combat system
- Ritual completion — Players complete rituals to summon bosses
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- it's one of our favorite games
- The Minis are scary because they fall apart
- it's really just super chaotic fun
- I love the theme it's beautiful this game
- man did I have a blast play in it
- probably the most creeped out I've ever been playing a game
- I love this game I love vampires though
- my favorite game of all time
- silly nonsensical fun
- super fun
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video WslPW8sA9k8
Rolls in the Family top_3_list at 1:10 sentiment: mixed
video_pk 4906 · mention_pk 14571
Click to watch at 1:10
Overall sentiment (raw)
mixed
Pros
- Strong thematic flavor with a Lovecraftian feel
- High replayability due to multiple Elder configurations and scenarios
- Atmosphere and theme shine in play
Cons
- Ending can feel anticlimactic or luck-dependent
- Can be overwide in setup or fatigue if players are not into dice luck
Thematic elements
- summoning an Elder One via sorcerers and manipulating dancers
- Lovecraftian mythos; investigators at a dance party while eldritch forces unfold
- scenario-based with high variability and modular Elder configurations
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- cooperative play — Players work together to stop the eldritch threat against a backdrop of shifting scenarios.
- dice-driven actions and skill checks — Investigator actions are resolved with dice, introducing luck and mitigation elements.
- scenario-based play — Each Elder One configuration and scenario changes the flow and objectives.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- it's a completely different experience every single time depending on the combination that you have
- thematically you're at this dance party and there's all these tokens that are flipped face down
- we had such a funny moment where we had separated them they're out in the outside room we were right by them and then all of the Mythos card moved all 15 in the center and we were like no
- it wasn't a super exciting ending
- it's simultaneous play and there's no down time
- you can play with just about anybody
- the collector's edition adds to that
- the app is driving a lot of it
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video ZA0fpk-vbPE
Foster the Me top_10_list at 0:02 sentiment: positive
video_pk 4601 · mention_pk 13470
Click to watch at 0:02
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- engaging dice rolling and damage mechanics
- progressive power scaling through insanity
- varied scenarios with established maps
Cons
- base game played extensively without new expansion content
- rank expected to drop until expansion content explored
Thematic elements
- Cthulhu mythos
- cosmic horror
- cultists
- map exploration
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
Mechanics unknown.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- These are our list our list not yours don't worry about it
- Eagles fly alone everybody knows that about eagles
- Sometimes the cats fall a little
- Yo ho ho and everyone's like looking at us and being like what are they playing
- I fully appreciate and love the Simplicity of this game
- Theme and mechanisms intertwining and meshing perfectly
- It's like a badge of honor to win this game
- Scythe was one of my propellants into the hobby
- Heat is a racing game that comes with so much freaking content
- These are the best games in the entire world it's not even our opinion it's objective
- I really thought undaunted was going to be in my top 20 for sure
- The problem is our dog is terrified of this game
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Transcript Navigation
Showing 1–9 of 9