I am a big fan of Lovecraft but not CCG's in general. The only game I have managed to tolerate is L5R, due mostly to the fluff and complexity of game play. So far, this appears to be an interesting twist on CCG's in that you can buy entire 1 copy sets. So, my question is:

Why should I play this game as opposed to L5R or even Game of Thrones?

(I am not trying to be a ******, but I really want to know why YOU love the game and what makes it different from the multitude of other CCG's out there.)

Thanks!

The subject matter. I couldn't be caught dead playing a Frodo card. And I don't really care if the Baratheon's can hold off House Stark. But I am very worried that I won't be able to get to my Shantak before some cultist releases Cthulhu and Nyarlathotep to tear the world asunder. In the meantime, if Batman versus Sauraman's orc's prevail over the Black Lotus, write me a note.

Well, a good question, indeed ...

you were talking about fluff ... well, this game is one of the most flavourfull I ever trye. I gave a run to L5R, Magic, Yugi, LoTR, and other tiny stuffs ... And I never had so much fun than in thi game. First, In it's colelctable days, we do create a community which was tolerant and open. We saw a lot of people coming by and playing with us. As the days geos, we remark that the most efficient deck played were made with commons ...

Second things that got us in was that the gamewas a lot cheaper (in france) than any other. And we did'nt find any "badboosters" without rares ...

Back in the Lcg days, we saw the game rising from the dead and fulfill our need of cards with the AP, which were rocking our meta at every moment we get some news .. Themewise, the game is really correlative to the HPL novels and writings ...that's why we keep playing this game !

I'm a big fan of Call of Cthulhu and HPL's writing, which is always a god starting point. The mechanics are sound, I find it fun to play, but for me the real enjoyment comes from being able to tell a story in the events of the game. That sort of thing sparks the imagination a bit more.

Ah, you see, you're asking the wrong question. I think the proper question is "Why not play both CoC and AGoT?" Both or brilliantly fun, evocative, strategic games.

Kennon said:

Ditto. I've been playing Thrones for the last four years, and it is my favorite card game. The switch to the LCG format for both games has allowed me the opportunity to give Cthulhu a try, and I am loving it. For less than what I spent on GoT I can now afford to play both games.

Cthulhu lured me in with its monsters vs. humans aspect, or even a deck based with one of each for its factions. It does come across more abstract than direct, but I think that is another thing I like about the game. I may not have enjoyed this game as much if I wasn't familiar with the Mythos, but since the core set came out we've started a gaming group at my store, and a few more people are looking to give the game a try. I think you'll be happy if you do as well.

Welcome to the forums.

We played for the first time last night. A few points to ponder:

The artwork on the cards is beautiful. They range from Lovecraftianly Erotic to impressively gory, and most are appealing in one's hand.

Once we began to get the process down, game play was fast yet multi-facted. Less cumbersome than some other games, yet enough strategy in deck building to already have us putting aside our VD day errands to quickly build decks this am.

Lovecraft. Is there any better setting for a card game? Not to me, although I've heard Game of Thrones is excellent as well. Actually, while consuming this, we cannot wait to see what future LCG's FFG rolls out. It's the packaging format we've been waiting for.

Enjoy the process of your decision.

Well I used to play this game as a CCG, and I quit after a series of personal disapointments. I still play Magic regularily and don't have a problem with the CCG mantra of collectibility, but the LCG format for this game is exactly what it needed to make it a better game. Sure I'll miss cracking packs and trying to find playsets of my favorite rares, but being someone who's played L5R, AGOT, MTG, Doom Town, Heresy, Vs, and other non-collectible card based games... I can say with large certainty that COC is my favorite. The flavor of the game play is fantastic, and the game is smart enough to offer up some very strategic game play. Honestly, I enjoy this game so very much and I'm glad to be back, even after selling every card I had (including playsets of every promo). I wouldn't hestiate to tell anyone to try, esp a Lovecraft fan. Besides, it's not like you can't use it as trade bait on Board Game Geek if you don't like it.