Hello. I am very interested in this game. I do have a question, tho. Do you have a version of kult that doesn't have descriptions of sa against the players? I know that I can avoid it but it would just put my mind at ease if there was one. I'm perfectly OK with that being part of a monsters lore. Just the description of the act read in the video is really my only block to this. It's ok if there isn't a more censored version. I am just very interested.
@@colbyhunter4622if you're up for suggestions, if you bought the book you could scribble over it with sharpie? It doesn't remove it from the book but it makes sure you can't see it anymore. No harm meant on my part.
I am playing Kult for about half a year now, with the most emotionally broken character I ever had, and an archetype of a Doll. It has been an amazing experience of psychological horror, and even when things are nice and cozy - because my narrator gives us wholesome sessions to contrast the more horrifying ones - it still brings me to tears every time with the sheer emotion and terror the game is filled with. My Doll is on the edge of being Enlightened now. I hope this would means he'll get out of his pit of despair, and overcomes this; or dies trying.
One of ours is a Doll, as well. Player wrote her +2 Relation was to her boyfriend who was an abusive ameteur boxer. Because the game really focuses on Relationships and the character's lives, we spend a good deal of time playing that. So at one point the other PCs call The Doll up because they're figuring out their plan of going to this museum event, and I decided to have the boyfriend ask who she's on the phone with. Boyfriend starts getting jealous that she's on the phone with some other dude that he doesn't know. Now normally, this is when I'd hold back. But we're playing Kult and this is what the player asked for, so I keep going. She's not able to convince him that the man on the phone is an old friend and there's nothing romantic going on. One thing leads to another until he starts hitting her. The Doll PC makes her Endure Injury, gets a black eye and bloody lip and has to spend the rest of the adventure covering that up with makeup, but no Serious Wounds. That scene of playing the abusive boyfriend and acting out him getting into a jealous rage until he starts hitting her was hand-to-god the hardest, most uncomfortable scene I've ever run as a Game Master. I came so close to noping out of it. Afterward the player told me she'd have been disappointed if I'd held back and was really happy I went through with the scene, and proud of me going through it because she could tell I was getting squeamish, which did make me feel a lot better. But it doesn't make playing that abusive NPC any easier. I can play baby-eating monsters and murderous cult leaders all day, but with those I can mentally disconnect because they're evil bad guys the PCs will hopefully kill, and it's all made-up fantasy. But playing out the scene of a jealous dude beating his girlfriend whose totally in love with him, that's very real for me. Those are real monsters. One of the other PCs has made a personal goal of convincing the Doll that her boyfriend is bad, but she keeps defending him. Watching them roleplay out these conversations and getting in to it is amazing. After the last session The Doll PC reached the 2nd stage of Aware advancement and plans on switching her Archetype to Descendant before the next adventure, which should be a fun change. I'm really hoping she stops putting up with her awful boyfriend as her personality shifts from victim to ass-kicker.
@@SSkorkowsky wow, that's really harrowing stuff. I hope it leads to a payoff like that too. I guess that's where it hitting close to home in a game can be positive, because once you conquer a serious personal demon irl it can have the effect of putting everything else in perspective, give you a new confidence (from personal experience with something very different but just as serious). If her character can dump that guy, she can do anything. It could make the supernatural monsters a whole lot less scary to her. And that sort of personal transformation is powerful to play out.
@@SSkorkowsky Wow Seth. As a fellow GM, I don't know if I could do that. But at the same time that's the dream. To have a group that roleplays that hard, that trusts you that much. I'm jealous. Thank you for this series Seth, looking forward to more of it.
I actually appreciate how graphic you presented the horror contract and themes. As a survivor of abuse, I don't think this is the game for me, and I'd rather find that out here than say yes without fully knowing what I'm agreeing to.
Same, tbh. This game is definitely not for me, but it’s good knowing that now than after a purchase. The idea of a gnostic inspired TTRPG really interests me, though I think I’m more into cosmic horror (like Call of Cthulhu) rather than body horror
It's definitely not a game for everyone. I'd much rather you learn that now, rather than spending money on something you won't enjoy. Though the Horror Contract's reason for the examples isn't to say, "This is how it _must_ be played," but to begin the honest conversation about toning topics down at your table or ruling them out altogether. It really stresses open communication and how not to cross players' boundaries.
Ive maintained virtually every Clive Barker story fits within Kult. His influence on everything from Razides to The Children of the Underworld are pretty evident.
Just for others, when he says it's adult/dark in the warning he explicitly means: sexual situations including coercion, harm to children, being a victim of mind control, body horror etc. There are example passages in the video from the books that cover most of these themes. This is definitely darker than your typical Call of Cthulhu game. That's not an objectively bad thing, just wanted to spell out the warning a bit more clearly because "adult themes" on RUclips is a pretty big umbrella. I'm glad he included the examples, really makes the tone of the game more clear.
Not referring to this specific video, but Seth is such a reliable entertainer that I almost automatically click Like, practically before he finishes "Hello Internet."
I miss Jack, but that being said, it's awesome to watch Seth putting out videos completely unaffected by the OGL debacle. I am grateful for your work Seth. Kult pushes the line too far for me in my games, but I do enjoy when you cover all games, so I am going to check out the vids. Until next time, I think I am going to have a great day.
Seth is actually play a lot of D&D as much anymore. He mostly focuses on Call of Cthulhu, Traveller, etc. So he's probably completely on affected by ogl simply by basis of not really playing D&D, or maybe just not taking notice of the news surrounding it lately.
Oh, I've noticed. Been watching it closely since they first announced the new edition. Part is simply morbid curiosity. The other part is D&D sets the tone for the industry at large. Historically, the better D&D does, the better the rest of the industry does. Also, what they do is often followed by others. Then the OGL 1.1 thing happened, and I've been watching and reading with interest. I've got opinions, but those don't really matter. People far more knowledgeable in legal matters and are personally affected by it are the ones to ask. If I wanted to get a quick boost to my channel I could post some hot-take videos and get those rage clicks, but that's not my style. I prefer doing more "evergreen" videos than latest industry news and gossip. I'd also rather talk about games and RPG topics I personally enjoy. I feel D&D already has enough channels dedicated to it without needing me. I'll cover the other stuff. Now as far as Jack, Episode 2 will be when we create Kult Jack (same way I did for the Traveller and Call of Cthulhu series)
Your Call of Cthulhu series was incredibly helpful to me as I sought to prepare for my first foray into GMing, so I very much appreciate your continue work on this series. Edit: And it's related to PbtA. Instant interest.
Kult and Skorkowsky? A great way to start the day! And dang, I've never played Kult (I think I would enjoy a LOT though), but I find the artwork just gorgeous.
My first watch of your channel was for Call of Cthulhu, as a fan of the literature, you then dragged me into RPGs, including resurrecting my long dormant D&D interest (B/X and AD&D), and I saw the first video you did on Kult. I am a fan of film Noir and hard-boiled so it was intriquing but I am not a horror fan, I mostly find it comically nauseating gore, yet I, like you, found the lore of Kult compelling and the darkness of it challenging, without being just tawdry shock. I really like the idea of it and appreciate your exploring it and look forward to more! Thumbs up on this series.
Holy crap... as someone who appreciates my GM describing absolute gorefests in games of Cyberpunk and who enjoys the crap out of games like CoC or Delta Green, I think Kult is not for me. That description of the father who was mind controlled and took his newborn son to the oven... I still feel tingly from that. That is true horror. I will be watching this closely as I did all your other reviews, Seth, and the game certainly achieved its goal in being horrifying, and I will likely grab some ideas for it, but it's certainly not something for me. Spent most of my life thinking no media can affect me and a simple two sentences changed that perspective completely. So props to the writers!
know what you mean... I'd certainly tone things down for my players, though I'm thinking in the end it all really depends on the adventure your playing and what "Horror contract" you make with your players
Yeah, the game is very supportive of toning down the parts that cross anyone's lines. But so often when discussing communication and consent in gaming, people get mad. I got a solid dose of that when I did my How to Run Horror video and got lectured and name-called when I mentioned X-cards are a thing that exist. One of the biggest problems I see when discussing the topic is that when I say, "This is dark and uncomfortable," it's not really defining what I mean by that. I found Kult's approach of giving specific examples designed to make the reader uncomfortable and say, "Yeah, that wouldn't fly at my table," a great approach to explaining why the Horror Contract is necessary. That said, Kult is definitely not a game for everyone.
@@SSkorkowsky I definitely appreciate the clear communication and Kult's mature approach to a mature topic is refreshingly honest... really quite looking forward to you slowly pulling back Kult's dark curtain over the next weeks
@@SSkorkowsky I had to go back and check your "How to Run Horror video's" comment section to see what that "dose" was, (interestingly turns out this was the first video that introduced me to your channel, I was prepping for running Curse of Strahd at the time) Now maybe much of that dose was via other means but in the comments section I did see some but so so little compared to the many positive comments and it reminded me how we as humans weight negative stimuli so much more significantly then positive, I think this aspect pertains to Horror as well and how it can feel like a significant experience. Also I had to confront and work through the Horror of just how easily I was taken by that "telegram scam impersonators invitation" to get in contact with you... oh the true horror ;)
The negative reactions were an overall minority for sure. But they were loud. Most of them have fallen off over the last 2 years. A couple due to their earning themselves a Block (disagreement is one thing, personal attacks/insults are another). More fell off on their own. I have a suspicion those types of commentors eventually earned themselves a closed RUclips account for other antics and that's why their comments vanushed. But I did screenshot a few a couple months back in case I wanted to show some exerpts in an eventual RPG Safety Tools video (I regret I didn't get the really good ones). It was a lot of me getting called "woke" and rambling manifestos on snowflakes, mind control, and flexes how players who can't handle their "hardcore games" get kicked out. Also, I'm evidently not as "old school" as I pretend. It was... interesting. But, because of that response to that video, I decided to show the example exerpts from the Kult book to illustrate the need for the Horror Contract.
I really loved Kult back in the first edition, in Sweden, in the early 90s. GM'd a little bit, and devoured the modules. For all the reasons that Seth describes, although the game mechanics weren't nothing special. But one thing didn't sit quite right with me. Thing was, I envisioned fairly depressing personal horror stories. Like in Let the Right One In, or something by Lars von Trier, or Jacobs Ladder. But the published stuff just made a short ouverture in our reality and then headed straight out into the alternative planes with loads of superpowered opponents. For instance, I had a setup for an adventure where one of the players started dreaming about a girl that used to live in his flat. Getting flashes of her life and feeling like they had a connection. Like maybe they was that person in a previous life, or it was a lost love or sibling or something. Spooky but also kinda cute and non-threatening. This would develop to a helpful presence, like an invisible BFF or friendly ghost. But what would actually have been going on is that their own dreams of having a significant close relative [insert isolated and traumatic effed-up childhood backstory] had escaped out of their head and was now a vampiric entity slowly sucking the life, conciousness and reality out of them in order to exist on its own. Final fight includes murdering your percieved best friend to survive, and leaving the story with new shiny mental health problems. Also model agencies using zombie labor, lawyers who mistakenly think they've sold their souls to the devil, a haunted house where a pedofile serial killer keeping the ghosts of his victims prisoner in his own personal purgatory (that's a Constantine story btw), former war criminals and their victims sharing a neighborhood as refugees in Stockholm... that kind of stuff. Emotionally heavy, reality-adjacent everyday horror. But there were very few published modules containing this kind of material. So when I ran into one of the original creators (Gunilla Jonsson) on a convention a few years ago, I made complaints in this general direction. But she scoffed at me and told me straight up that their intention had always been dark epic fantasy. So there.
Seth, your timing truly is frightening. I just purchased this volume coincidentally at my LGS on a whim this very evening, not least due to your various reviews of this game. If I end up DMing this, it's also your doing. Thanks.
One thing I love about your reviews is learning about games that really aren't for me, such as Kult. I can appreciate what it tries to do, but it's not really my style... though I have to say the examples you gave of scenes in a Kult game did remind me of some of the more edge-pushing adventures Pagan Publishing used to do for CoC. And on the flip side, it's through your reviews I found a game I love, Traveller.
A lot of people consider Kult edgelordy and blast it for being needlessly extreme. But the Horror Contract is about how to tone that down to the levels your table is comfortable with. A lot of games talk about mature themes and gaming safety tools, but don't define what that means. So everyone has a different idea of what it's talking about. Kult, meanwhile, shows you, makes sure we're all on the same page, and then proceeds into how we can lower that down to everyone's comfort levels and communicate with one another. The old horror games from the 90's and early 00's had a lot of extreme for extreme sake and edgy shock value, but they didn't really cover the other half, which is dialing it down for your table.
Thanks for doing a series on Kult. It delighted me when I discovered it had returned in recent years. I ran and played it in the 90s, but (despite having the new books) I've not had chance to run this pbta mechanics version yet. Getting the right group together is imperative with this, and it's not easy. Cthulhu, even Delta Green, are an easier bus ride for the sanity by comparison with the debauched keelhaul through uncomfortable Hell that Kult can take your imagination. I've played with three really good groups recently and Kult wouldn't work for any of them. Looking forward to seeing another excellent series unfold.
I, as well, devoured the KULT books. The style, themes, and adult approach are so amazing for me. Although I yet have to find a group that wants to play and tell a story together, a core thing I use for my other, non-horror games is the concept of the "intrigue map". This opened up a way for me how I can visualize the PCs and the network of connections with the world - and keep track of all of this as the story progresses.
Great introduction and review, Seth. Thank you. I bought Kult in 1991 at my LGS, and it had a warning on its plastic wrapper back then. Since then I’ve run both one shots and full campaigns. As I love Dungeon World, I find the new rule set a perfect fit. I will say, I’ve changed things over the years- I don’t want or need that level of explicit darkness in my games- and I find the horror of the setting and personal situations can have the same impact. Secondly, after a time- even Kult becomes predictable. So I had an idea. In my games even inferno and metropolis are merely illusions created to hide a more benevolent reality of objective virtue and heroism. But hidden deep indeed. Again, thank you for the review.
Very cool to see this! I got the core book over Christmas and was sort of stuck thinking about how I actually run this game. I think Dark City is also a potential inspiration for a game of Kult (not in the larger themes though).
Yes. Dark City is a good source for the Kult Gnostic themes and Metropolis settings. I'd say Angel Heart is another movie that really captures the Kult vibe perfectly. As for Silent Hill, well, I have a hope that one day I'll run a Kult game for my friends set in the world of Silent Hill - the games, not the movies.
Just wanted to thank you. Your Introduction-Videos actually made me look up and then buy into Kult and right now am GMing a Campaign here in Frankfurt.
this looks like cool asf xD. art, theme, love them both. really liked that you gave examples of the dark stuff, because a lot of times people say something is heavy and i don't really agree, this Kult though, this is heavy. will definitely give it a look.
I'm excited to learn new ways of shaping narratives with mechanics, but I'm not sure that I could see myself playing this game/setting. As much as I enjoy dark fantasy and horror, I am coming to understand that one thing my mind revolts against is the lack of agency. Those scenes you described, like the mother carrying the baby...I just can't.
Kult is a very interesting game. I run a solo game with my spouse, however we have small kids so our play time has been limited. We met through VtM, so with our love of apocalyptic gameplay with supernatural elements it has been a wonderful addition to our collection. It took a while for me to get used to not rolling dice as the GM, but between Kult and Cypher System it has won me over a bit. Gives me the freedom to focus more on the narrative that I'm trying to run instead of the mechanics. Don't get me wrong I like my crunch as much as the next DM and do miss rolling dice from time to time. Hellraiser is a perfect flavor to bring you to Kult. As one of my favorite franchises (yes even the bad entries get playtime for me) it is a game that hit my style and flavor quite well.
Long time coming, love this future series. We are having a blast playing it (more than the previous editions), sure will send some players here to get an introduction! Thanks Seth!
I cannot express how excited I was when this popped up on my feed! Ever since your video on gallery of souls came out I have been getting more and more into Kult which is slowly becoming my favourite system, and some of my favourite lore (its up their with changeling the lost and promethian for me). I does such a good job of scratching that horror itch but in a somewhat more personal and grounded way than CoC (not a knock on CoC its just a different kind of horror). I got the screams and whispers book as a Christmas gift and have been trying to convince my friends to play either his last hope, or the shunned. Thanks for introducing this amazing game to me and so many others!
Thanks for an excellent video, Seth! RUclips is full of hot takes and short reviews of different games but it's rare to get these in-depth series-length works on specific games. Kult: Divinity Lost is actually one of the few games (outside of my current games) that I'm really interested in so this should be a blast.
Ohohoh... 23 is looking dark... I love it! been rather intrigued by this system and it's setting since I watched your KULT: The Driver - RPG Review and subsequently running it and having a really very good time
I really like the idea and world of Kult and I even ran one of the free adventures for my group after you reviewed it Seth. Not really for our group, but maybe one day I’ll get to play it again.
Oh man, I am old. Still have the 1st Edition book buried somewhere around here... Great Introduction! Now I really am considering to pick up the latest version.
I remember when Kult first edition came out...I picked it up and while I wasn't that big on the system at the time, I did use a lot of the lore in a Cyberpunk 2020 campaign I ran for a short period of time.
I was very glad to learn about the Beyond Darkness and Madness supplement. Seth calling it a master class in running horror games should be instructive! Would I enjoy more of this series? Yes, please!
Thanks again Seth. This is actually the 3rd time I've watched this particular vid, each time trying to determine if I could deal with the specific horror scenarios that Kult would bring to the fore. I honestly don't think I can. Though I am a huge fan of Lovecraft, Poe, James, Machen, Chambers and many others, my preference has always leaned more toward the implied horror than the descriptive. Two reasons;, one being my imagination is quite elicit and productive by itself and I rarely feel the need to have scenarios detailed to such an extent and two, I've always appreciated the aspect of fear of the unknown more so than fear of the revealed. I may elect to purchase the Core Rules book in order to glean further understanding of the game and then make final determination, so perhaps we'll see at that time. I do appreciate you providing such a great overview, regardless my friend. :)
Great review. I've been wondering about this game for a long time, having had only a general idea what it's about. I love the disparity between the pictures of the horrible Death Angels then switching to a normal, mundane human carrying a bag of groceries. Shows what you're up against.
This is maybe the most succinct-yet-informative intro video to a TTRPG setting and system I've ever found. Really appreciate how much of a grasp on the gist of Kult this gave me in such a short time compared to reading through the core book. Thanks!
Wow, you didn't censored the excerpts out of the book at all! Alone reading these examples made me uncomfortable. Still, the art is gorgeous and I am very curious about the rules and your opinion about them. Once again, thank you very much for this great video and I will wait happily for the next one in this series.
Love saying a deep dive and other systems. Looking forward to the series. You do a great job getting people introduced. I will say for my group, Horror is just not for us. Pulp Cthulu is as close as we get. As a therapist, I spent 25 years in community mental health. I have seen enough real life horror that I don't need to role play it.
I don't think my group would ever get into this but it's nice to know what it's all about and I always enjoy seeing the complete system overviews from Seth
Due to "Oakwood Heights" review, I tried Kult:DL for the first time. It wasn't easy to run, at some point I even started to throw dice for the combat, but it has become one of my favorite. However, it's more like a "Love-Hate relationship"; contrary to CoC or Legend of the Five Rings, games that I love no matter what. Kult pushes the players and the master to areas rarely touched in other games, but when you read the manual there is a time where you say "Yes, I know that everything is horrible, now give me stats and tables". Still, I like the game and my players too.
I have been curious about Kult for a bit since you started making vids on it. Did not realize how dark it actually was and man. This is some horrifying stuff. I genuinely look forward to running it for my players one day. 😁
I have found the darker the content the greater the contrast the players can bring. I have one friend who would eat this up, another who might taste it and the rest who would go pale burping up bile.
This is something I'd been hoping you'd do for a while, Seth. Much like you, I knew of Kult by vague reputation, but I didn't have anything really concrete about it (aside from that it's a deeply dark and adult game) until you started doing reviews of some of the adventure modules you've run for it, and those definitely grabbed my attention. So I'm curious to learn more about it, but already I'm intrigued. I'm often a huge sucker for stuff inspired by Gnosticism and Kabbalah lore (The Matrix, Xenogears and Xenoblade Chronicles being a few examples) and I've really gotten into roleplay-heavy horror gaming in the last few years, so this all sounds like it's right up my alley.
Love your game overviews Seth! Now I know this is a game I have no interest in playing because you honestly go over it's themes and everything it contains. Thank you and keep up the great work!
Been playing Kult since I was to young to play it really. I am one of those that grew up with the original Swedish version and it's very clunky rules. I am not a fan of PbtA but I have to agree it is a better system for Kult than the system they had. I think the part you mentioned about different creatures and magics are under their separate "planes" is a call back from how it was originally presented it was a rpg that was as much a novel/short story as it was a rulebook. To this day I have had some of my most intense RPG moments playing Kult so I am really glad what Helmgast did with it and how it started a kult revival. I'm also glad you liked it and that Petter Nallo took a chance in giving you a book! Keep up the good work.
Kult is something I think I'd find interesting -- and I have no issues with the PBTA mechanics, I actually quite like a lot of them especially how "combat" can just be woven into the regular flow of the game so it doesn't feel like a separate "mode". But if you're used to the more regimented and strict game style of most turn-based-combat games, I can see how it would be something that'd need some getting used to. I like that it can help give players the _permission_ to not be 100%-combat-oriented when some fighting does break out and maybe disengage from murderous-intent to find another way to overcome the challenge of a scene. However, the dark and disturbing content would not, I think, be a good fit for most of my game group. I'd be all for it, but that doesn't mean I can by any rights push it on the members of my group who I know would not be comfortable with it. Even with some generous use of veils, fade-to-black, or just omission... it wouldn't be worth it, I think. I've managed to get my fill of "horror" gaming with some World of Darkness I run with mostly just implications of the bad stuff, and focusing more on tense scenes with the _anticipation_ of terrible things and only occasional fulfillment (but pairing down the description as best I can to most leave the worst to the listener's imagination). I am tempted to pick up "Screams and Whispers" though if it's as you describe it.
I really appreciate the examples as they are great in assessing the overall tone that works or doesnt work for me or a group. Regardless of whether this would be the game for me, I will still watch the entire series to see how it works and what elements may be interesting.
Fascinating start to this series. I won't be playing this game, but this vid gave me some ideas for my own mad-weird-mystery campaign. Keep 'em coming Seth! Much appreciated.
Saw you mention this series was on the way recently on Twitter. Very excited to see it start as a friend wants to start running this game in the near future, so great timing here.
You read my mind. I just ordered the core book from Modophius a few days ago. I'm looking forward to your series on Unknown Armies *fingers crossed*. ;-)
Unknown Armies 2nd Ed would be great, but one thing at a time. I'm really, really not a fan of 3rd Ed, but hearing Seth's thoughts on the topic would be valuable.
Fantastic as always Uncle Seth 💜 I have to say I wouldn't be comfortable with hearing about lot of the subjects in Kult from just anyone, but you've fostered such a feeling of trust and safety with your channel and community I knew you'd make it aok - thanks for being you and making awesome videos!
Kult is a great game for the right audience (definitely adults only). I see it as one of the few horror games that shines a light (or a shadow?) over Call of Cthulhu, and it is almost a photo negative of the themes of Call of Cthulhu where humans are potentially gods rather than insignificant. The PbtA rules actually fits a lot better, in my view, than the more conventional rules of previous editions - and I’m not an advocate for PbtA normally. Some of the scenarios available are really strongly written, and there are more coming. One area of expansion that will also come in time is the magic system - which captures a lot of the lore in it.
Thank you so much Seth! I remember my friend running this game for us when it had just come out. We were much younger and Sweden was a different country then. Like yourself, it blew our minds. Like one comment below said, I am very much looking forward to what NPC (Like Jack for Cuthullu) you will give us! A writer down on his luck perhaps? The two authors Jonsson and Petersen are sociologists and quite famous in the community and our country. The criticism you gave, we all had the same feelings when we played. I think the authors stated that they were reluctant to flesh it out, since much of the horror would be lost and also there was going to be a never-ending debate about monster-stats. Once again, thank you Seth! Sincerely, Alicia Antoniadis, from Sweden
I just literally sat and was looking for Kult QuickStart, then found your video you published 5 mins ago. Brilliant timing. Thanks for video, top notch, Seth
While the idea of a gnostic inspired TTRPG really interests me, hearing those examples made me realize that Kult probably isn’t the game for me - at least not certain topics, anyway. I’ll still watch the series, because I’m always down for more of your content, and thank you for covering this game, but holy shit those examples were wayyy darker than I thought 😅 On a brighter note, I’m EXTREMELY glad that they take consent so seriously! Consent is so so so important for so many things
If the game isn't your jam, I fully understand. It's definitely not for everyone. That said, the key point of the Horror Contract is establishing the boundaries for the table. It encourages tables to communicate what topics should be downplayed, not shown "on camera", and which ones are outright forbidden, as well as Players and GMs being able to nope-out if the session swerves into territory they aren't enjoying. The examples are meant to show what it could be if we have no limits. They're very effective in eliciting an emotional response. But they're intended to help begin the conversation of how and where do we set our table's limits so we can all have fun. Personally, I find it the most mature and fearless coverage of this topic I've encountered.
@@SSkorkowsky that makes perfect sense - having players all have fun with the game is the whole point, and limits are extremely important when it comes to things like this.
I got the Black edition of the core rulebook and Screams and Whispers recently. Glad to see a video up about the system as a whole. Looking forward to the rest of them. Would also love to hear your thoughts on the Delta Green system
Great overview, Seth. Wow! What a game. I'd love to explore it with my players, but I know a couple of them have expressly declined intense horror stuff. Now I'm thinking about running a single story arc with the few others who would be down for it... I really appreciate your discussions. Thank you so much.
Interesting ideas, and much potential. I don't have a group that is ready to play a game like this, but it certainly makes my mind whirl with possibilities. I may have to buy this game just as a mental exercise to funnel my creativity into producing a better quality of fiction stories. Your comment on, "the master class for horror," is a very effective way to describe it. I'll have to stop buying warhammer models for a while, I guess, and save up some dough.
Seth, you are absolutely correct when you say how this game is not for everybody. I have played many different games in many different genres over the decades, and this game is some thing I have absolutely zero interest in ever playing. It is just not for me.
Hallo Seth, my Handy drops down as i saw that you are going to make a Kult Video Series :) Thank you for your great work ! Can not wait for the next one :) Greetings from Germany
Demonetized! I wish there were more let's plays of this to listen to on YT. The people who do play this get really into the characters and roleplay I think than dice throwing, it sounds more like grown up theater kids trying to freak each other out. I've really enjoyed listening to the ones that exist.
I have had and played this game for years, but don't feel I have ever gotten it right. I don't have the new edition, I will pick that up and follow this series with interest.
Picked up the book when you covered the driver (after doing some research on the setting and finding it interesting.) And ran a session of the atrocity exhibition last month with help from your video. Edit: I want to add that even if you aren't interested in playing the game or can't find a group, I think Kult has one of the most readable rule books ever.
How could I not get this game after that endorsement! Your descriptions brought many of my favorite books to mind. Ones I have read many times. It also reminds me of Mork Borg in a way, but more serious.
This is a good review and introduction, telling what the game is about. While I personally don't have a ton of interest in the game myself, being a player who has bounced off hard from PbtA and FitD games in the past, I will still be watching every video just to know what the game is about and how does it work, especially how it differs from others in its family tree.
I've been waiting on this one for a long time! I can't wait for more of this since I purchased the books and want to get into running Kult but I'm sort of caught between preparing a big Traveller campaign and doing this and considering how difficult I've found getting into Kult (had a hard time figuring out what an actual Kult game should look like and how to run it effectively), this video series is really going to help me get my bearings.
Hi Seth, Great review im tempted to switch Cthulhu for Kult for a while. Im supprised you did not mention Dark City as a movie to reference to Kult, Matrix took quite a lot of inspiration from that as well, and it has a neo- Noir vibe too, with a bit of Cosmic horror mixed into it.
The sample text with the toddler got under my skin. I´m a big fan of dark an gritty horror, but i guess i´ve grown soft, becoming a father myself. Still i would love to try this game out
Absolutely loved this definitely one of my favourite games of all time. In the earlier editions "beyond the boundaries" and "heart, mind and soul" covered the kind of "spells"/ rituals that could be discovered/used. I had exactly the same experience with the lor as you did but I think that was in the first English edition. An incredibly fascinating setting and genuinely extremely disturbing. However, I was wondering would you ever run this in a "con" setting? I think it would personally be very challenging to do so, without accidentally overstepping boundaries even with the horror contract. As always thank you and keep up the awsoem stuff.
Hey Seth, you briefly mentioned the Silent Hill movie as inspiration for running Kult. I know you're not a videogames guy, but you'd probably get a kick out of looking into the actual game series, namely 1, 2 and 3. They're pretty decent inspirations for it when it comes to the themes they tackle and how they tackle it.
I also really recomend 4. Its not the best in terms of story, but it does have a surreal atmosphere and does a good job of presenting a layered reality. It's a good example of style if not the substance of the series.
![KULT: DIVINITY LOST (actual play) | Heartland [01]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/vc1XTXV9XqQ/mqdefault.jpg)
Finally! This is the first time in four years I have seen someone mention the easter egg I put in.
I for one find it awesome as hell and commend you on it.
Thank you!
Thank you for putting that in, I knew that I'd love this game when I saw it.
Hello. I am very interested in this game. I do have a question, tho. Do you have a version of kult that doesn't have descriptions of sa against the players? I know that I can avoid it but it would just put my mind at ease if there was one. I'm perfectly OK with that being part of a monsters lore. Just the description of the act read in the video is really my only block to this. It's ok if there isn't a more censored version. I am just very interested.
@@colbyhunter4622if you're up for suggestions, if you bought the book you could scribble over it with sharpie? It doesn't remove it from the book but it makes sure you can't see it anymore. No harm meant on my part.
20 episodes later... Actually with the way WotC is acting I appreciate these series helping people to explore other game systems, so thank you.
Yep
I share that final sentiment.
@D. L. eh, I see no issue with him talking about it, plus I feel like saying he deserves it is a bit harsh
I feel ya brother
@@ApostateofHumanity Embarrassing response.
@11:48 ***FURIOUSLY MASHES X KEY*** "HEY MY X CARD ISN'T WORKING"
I am playing Kult for about half a year now, with the most emotionally broken character I ever had, and an archetype of a Doll. It has been an amazing experience of psychological horror, and even when things are nice and cozy - because my narrator gives us wholesome sessions to contrast the more horrifying ones - it still brings me to tears every time with the sheer emotion and terror the game is filled with.
My Doll is on the edge of being Enlightened now. I hope this would means he'll get out of his pit of despair, and overcomes this; or dies trying.
One of ours is a Doll, as well. Player wrote her +2 Relation was to her boyfriend who was an abusive ameteur boxer. Because the game really focuses on Relationships and the character's lives, we spend a good deal of time playing that. So at one point the other PCs call The Doll up because they're figuring out their plan of going to this museum event, and I decided to have the boyfriend ask who she's on the phone with. Boyfriend starts getting jealous that she's on the phone with some other dude that he doesn't know. Now normally, this is when I'd hold back. But we're playing Kult and this is what the player asked for, so I keep going. She's not able to convince him that the man on the phone is an old friend and there's nothing romantic going on. One thing leads to another until he starts hitting her. The Doll PC makes her Endure Injury, gets a black eye and bloody lip and has to spend the rest of the adventure covering that up with makeup, but no Serious Wounds. That scene of playing the abusive boyfriend and acting out him getting into a jealous rage until he starts hitting her was hand-to-god the hardest, most uncomfortable scene I've ever run as a Game Master. I came so close to noping out of it.
Afterward the player told me she'd have been disappointed if I'd held back and was really happy I went through with the scene, and proud of me going through it because she could tell I was getting squeamish, which did make me feel a lot better. But it doesn't make playing that abusive NPC any easier. I can play baby-eating monsters and murderous cult leaders all day, but with those I can mentally disconnect because they're evil bad guys the PCs will hopefully kill, and it's all made-up fantasy. But playing out the scene of a jealous dude beating his girlfriend whose totally in love with him, that's very real for me. Those are real monsters. One of the other PCs has made a personal goal of convincing the Doll that her boyfriend is bad, but she keeps defending him. Watching them roleplay out these conversations and getting in to it is amazing.
After the last session The Doll PC reached the 2nd stage of Aware advancement and plans on switching her Archetype to Descendant before the next adventure, which should be a fun change. I'm really hoping she stops putting up with her awful boyfriend as her personality shifts from victim to ass-kicker.
@@SSkorkowsky wow, that's really harrowing stuff. I hope it leads to a payoff like that too. I guess that's where it hitting close to home in a game can be positive, because once you conquer a serious personal demon irl it can have the effect of putting everything else in perspective, give you a new confidence (from personal experience with something very different but just as serious). If her character can dump that guy, she can do anything. It could make the supernatural monsters a whole lot less scary to her. And that sort of personal transformation is powerful to play out.
@@SSkorkowsky Wow Seth. As a fellow GM, I don't know if I could do that. But at the same time that's the dream. To have a group that roleplays that hard, that trusts you that much. I'm jealous. Thank you for this series Seth, looking forward to more of it.
I actually appreciate how graphic you presented the horror contract and themes. As a survivor of abuse, I don't think this is the game for me, and I'd rather find that out here than say yes without fully knowing what I'm agreeing to.
Same, tbh. This game is definitely not for me, but it’s good knowing that now than after a purchase.
The idea of a gnostic inspired TTRPG really interests me, though I think I’m more into cosmic horror (like Call of Cthulhu) rather than body horror
It's definitely not a game for everyone. I'd much rather you learn that now, rather than spending money on something you won't enjoy.
Though the Horror Contract's reason for the examples isn't to say, "This is how it _must_ be played," but to begin the honest conversation about toning topics down at your table or ruling them out altogether. It really stresses open communication and how not to cross players' boundaries.
Ive maintained virtually every Clive Barker story fits within Kult. His influence on everything from Razides to The Children of the Underworld are pretty evident.
The pages with examples of horrifying things happening in the game world have a couple that were obviously taken straight from Hellraiser.
Well, yeah. Kult's first edition specifically cites Barker as an inspiration.
Just for others, when he says it's adult/dark in the warning he explicitly means: sexual situations including coercion, harm to children, being a victim of mind control, body horror etc. There are example passages in the video from the books that cover most of these themes. This is definitely darker than your typical Call of Cthulhu game. That's not an objectively bad thing, just wanted to spell out the warning a bit more clearly because "adult themes" on RUclips is a pretty big umbrella.
I'm glad he included the examples, really makes the tone of the game more clear.
Not referring to this specific video, but Seth is such a reliable entertainer that I almost automatically click Like, practically before he finishes "Hello Internet."
I miss Jack, but that being said, it's awesome to watch Seth putting out videos completely unaffected by the OGL debacle. I am grateful for your work Seth. Kult pushes the line too far for me in my games, but I do enjoy when you cover all games, so I am going to check out the vids. Until next time, I think I am going to have a great day.
Jack? Like, his NPC Character?
What, you don't see Jack the NPC when you blink during the video? It is a cool effect, but why does it make your throat sore?
Seth is actually play a lot of D&D as much anymore. He mostly focuses on Call of Cthulhu, Traveller, etc. So he's probably completely on affected by ogl simply by basis of not really playing D&D, or maybe just not taking notice of the news surrounding it lately.
Oh, I've noticed. Been watching it closely since they first announced the new edition. Part is simply morbid curiosity. The other part is D&D sets the tone for the industry at large. Historically, the better D&D does, the better the rest of the industry does. Also, what they do is often followed by others.
Then the OGL 1.1 thing happened, and I've been watching and reading with interest.
I've got opinions, but those don't really matter. People far more knowledgeable in legal matters and are personally affected by it are the ones to ask. If I wanted to get a quick boost to my channel I could post some hot-take videos and get those rage clicks, but that's not my style. I prefer doing more "evergreen" videos than latest industry news and gossip. I'd also rather talk about games and RPG topics I personally enjoy. I feel D&D already has enough channels dedicated to it without needing me. I'll cover the other stuff.
Now as far as Jack, Episode 2 will be when we create Kult Jack (same way I did for the Traveller and Call of Cthulhu series)
@@SSkorkowsky poor Jack. This series is going to be rough on him. Not a game you want to be a player character in. 😂
Your Call of Cthulhu series was incredibly helpful to me as I sought to prepare for my first foray into GMing, so I very much appreciate your continue work on this series.
Edit: And it's related to PbtA. Instant interest.
First game i played was CoC, his tutorials were the way i got in
Kult and Skorkowsky? A great way to start the day!
And dang, I've never played Kult (I think I would enjoy a LOT though), but I find the artwork just gorgeous.
If you didn’t get the KS uncensored art version of Kult 4th edition…you should seek it out. I think Helmgast has it still on their website available.
My first watch of your channel was for Call of Cthulhu, as a fan of the literature, you then dragged me into RPGs, including resurrecting my long dormant D&D interest (B/X and AD&D), and I saw the first video you did on Kult. I am a fan of film Noir and hard-boiled so it was intriquing but I am not a horror fan, I mostly find it comically nauseating gore, yet I, like you, found the lore of Kult compelling and the darkness of it challenging, without being just tawdry shock. I really like the idea of it and appreciate your exploring it and look forward to more! Thumbs up on this series.
I genuinely adore Kult. I think its mechanics are D tier, but its style, substance, maturity, power, and more have me intangled.
Holy crap... as someone who appreciates my GM describing absolute gorefests in games of Cyberpunk and who enjoys the crap out of games like CoC or Delta Green, I think Kult is not for me. That description of the father who was mind controlled and took his newborn son to the oven... I still feel tingly from that. That is true horror.
I will be watching this closely as I did all your other reviews, Seth, and the game certainly achieved its goal in being horrifying, and I will likely grab some ideas for it, but it's certainly not something for me. Spent most of my life thinking no media can affect me and a simple two sentences changed that perspective completely. So props to the writers!
know what you mean... I'd certainly tone things down for my players, though I'm thinking in the end it all really depends on the adventure your playing and what "Horror contract" you make with your players
Yeah, the game is very supportive of toning down the parts that cross anyone's lines. But so often when discussing communication and consent in gaming, people get mad. I got a solid dose of that when I did my How to Run Horror video and got lectured and name-called when I mentioned X-cards are a thing that exist. One of the biggest problems I see when discussing the topic is that when I say, "This is dark and uncomfortable," it's not really defining what I mean by that. I found Kult's approach of giving specific examples designed to make the reader uncomfortable and say, "Yeah, that wouldn't fly at my table," a great approach to explaining why the Horror Contract is necessary. That said, Kult is definitely not a game for everyone.
@@SSkorkowsky I definitely appreciate the clear communication and Kult's mature approach to a mature topic is refreshingly honest... really quite looking forward to you slowly pulling back Kult's dark curtain over the next weeks
@@SSkorkowsky I had to go back and check your "How to Run Horror video's" comment section to see what that "dose" was, (interestingly turns out this was the first video that introduced me to your channel, I was prepping for running Curse of Strahd at the time)
Now maybe much of that dose was via other means but in the comments section I did see some but so so little compared to the many positive comments and it reminded me how we as humans weight negative stimuli so much more significantly then positive, I think this aspect pertains to Horror as well and how it can feel like a significant experience. Also I had to confront and work through the Horror of just how easily I was taken by that "telegram scam impersonators invitation" to get in contact with you... oh the true horror ;)
The negative reactions were an overall minority for sure. But they were loud.
Most of them have fallen off over the last 2 years. A couple due to their earning themselves a Block (disagreement is one thing, personal attacks/insults are another). More fell off on their own. I have a suspicion those types of commentors eventually earned themselves a closed RUclips account for other antics and that's why their comments vanushed. But I did screenshot a few a couple months back in case I wanted to show some exerpts in an eventual RPG Safety Tools video (I regret I didn't get the really good ones). It was a lot of me getting called "woke" and rambling manifestos on snowflakes, mind control, and flexes how players who can't handle their "hardcore games" get kicked out. Also, I'm evidently not as "old school" as I pretend.
It was... interesting.
But, because of that response to that video, I decided to show the example exerpts from the Kult book to illustrate the need for the Horror Contract.
I really loved Kult back in the first edition, in Sweden, in the early 90s. GM'd a little bit, and devoured the modules.
For all the reasons that Seth describes, although the game mechanics weren't nothing special.
But one thing didn't sit quite right with me. Thing was, I envisioned fairly depressing personal horror stories. Like in Let the Right One In, or something by Lars von Trier, or Jacobs Ladder. But the published stuff just made a short ouverture in our reality and then headed straight out into the alternative planes with loads of superpowered opponents.
For instance, I had a setup for an adventure where one of the players started dreaming about a girl that used to live in his flat. Getting flashes of her life and feeling like they had a connection. Like maybe they was that person in a previous life, or it was a lost love or sibling or something. Spooky but also kinda cute and non-threatening. This would develop to a helpful presence, like an invisible BFF or friendly ghost. But what would actually have been going on is that their own dreams of having a significant close relative [insert isolated and traumatic effed-up childhood backstory] had escaped out of their head and was now a vampiric entity slowly sucking the life, conciousness and reality out of them in order to exist on its own. Final fight includes murdering your percieved best friend to survive, and leaving the story with new shiny mental health problems. Also model agencies using zombie labor, lawyers who mistakenly think they've sold their souls to the devil, a haunted house where a pedofile serial killer keeping the ghosts of his victims prisoner in his own personal purgatory (that's a Constantine story btw), former war criminals and their victims sharing a neighborhood as refugees in Stockholm... that kind of stuff. Emotionally heavy, reality-adjacent everyday horror. But there were very few published modules containing this kind of material.
So when I ran into one of the original creators (Gunilla Jonsson) on a convention a few years ago, I made complaints in this general direction. But she scoffed at me and told me straight up that their intention had always been dark epic fantasy. So there.
That tone shift at 12:35 :D Amazing.
Hearing him say the word "c*ck" brought me a lot of amusement and pleasure
I don't know why lol
@@nasir6r996 Same.
Seth, your timing truly is frightening. I just purchased this volume coincidentally at my LGS on a whim this very evening, not least due to your various reviews of this game. If I end up DMing this, it's also your doing. Thanks.
One thing I love about your reviews is learning about games that really aren't for me, such as Kult. I can appreciate what it tries to do, but it's not really my style... though I have to say the examples you gave of scenes in a Kult game did remind me of some of the more edge-pushing adventures Pagan Publishing used to do for CoC. And on the flip side, it's through your reviews I found a game I love, Traveller.
A lot of people consider Kult edgelordy and blast it for being needlessly extreme. But the Horror Contract is about how to tone that down to the levels your table is comfortable with. A lot of games talk about mature themes and gaming safety tools, but don't define what that means. So everyone has a different idea of what it's talking about. Kult, meanwhile, shows you, makes sure we're all on the same page, and then proceeds into how we can lower that down to everyone's comfort levels and communicate with one another. The old horror games from the 90's and early 00's had a lot of extreme for extreme sake and edgy shock value, but they didn't really cover the other half, which is dialing it down for your table.
@@SSkorkowsky Sounds like that's worth reading for horror gaming in general.
@@anthonyragan2696 it is. I was really impressed by it.
Thanks for doing a series on Kult.
It delighted me when I discovered it had returned in recent years.
I ran and played it in the 90s, but (despite having the new books) I've not had chance to run this pbta mechanics version yet.
Getting the right group together is imperative with this, and it's not easy. Cthulhu, even Delta Green, are an easier bus ride for the sanity by comparison with the debauched keelhaul through uncomfortable Hell that Kult can take your imagination. I've played with three really good groups recently and Kult wouldn't work for any of them.
Looking forward to seeing another excellent series unfold.
This video has come closer to anything I've seen previously to making we want to pick up a copy of Kult.
These series are my favorite thing about your channel. This is absolutely why I support your Patreon!
Thank you.
4:46 And the Tree of Death. Can't have one without the other.
I, as well, devoured the KULT books. The style, themes, and adult approach are so amazing for me.
Although I yet have to find a group that wants to play and tell a story together, a core thing I use for my other, non-horror games is the concept of the "intrigue map". This opened up a way for me how I can visualize the PCs and the network of connections with the world - and keep track of all of this as the story progresses.
Great introduction and review, Seth. Thank you. I bought Kult in 1991 at my LGS, and it had a warning on its plastic wrapper back then. Since then I’ve run both one shots and full campaigns. As I love Dungeon World, I find the new rule set a perfect fit. I will say, I’ve changed things over the years- I don’t want or need that level of explicit darkness in my games- and I find the horror of the setting and personal situations can have the same impact. Secondly, after a time- even Kult becomes predictable. So I had an idea. In my games even inferno and metropolis are merely illusions created to hide a more benevolent reality of objective virtue and heroism. But hidden deep indeed. Again, thank you for the review.
Very cool to see this! I got the core book over Christmas and was sort of stuck thinking about how I actually run this game. I think Dark City is also a potential inspiration for a game of Kult (not in the larger themes though).
neon genesis too probably
Yes. Dark City is a good source for the Kult Gnostic themes and Metropolis settings. I'd say Angel Heart is another movie that really captures the Kult vibe perfectly. As for Silent Hill, well, I have a hope that one day I'll run a Kult game for my friends set in the world of Silent Hill - the games, not the movies.
Actually, you could get a lot of inspiration from Cronenburg’s Videodrome, which was ahead of its time.
Just wanted to thank you. Your Introduction-Videos actually made me look up and then buy into Kult and right now am GMing a Campaign here in Frankfurt.
These series are very thorough and extremely helpful. The biggest hurdle to starting a new RPG for me is envisioning the gameplay loop.
ive been waiting for a video actually explaining what kult is about for what feels like a year now.
this looks like cool asf xD.
art, theme, love them both.
really liked that you gave examples of the dark stuff, because a lot of times people say something is heavy and i don't really agree, this Kult though, this is heavy.
will definitely give it a look.
I'm excited to learn new ways of shaping narratives with mechanics, but I'm not sure that I could see myself playing this game/setting. As much as I enjoy dark fantasy and horror, I am coming to understand that one thing my mind revolts against is the lack of agency. Those scenes you described, like the mother carrying the baby...I just can't.
Kult is a very interesting game. I run a solo game with my spouse, however we have small kids so our play time has been limited. We met through VtM, so with our love of apocalyptic gameplay with supernatural elements it has been a wonderful addition to our collection. It took a while for me to get used to not rolling dice as the GM, but between Kult and Cypher System it has won me over a bit. Gives me the freedom to focus more on the narrative that I'm trying to run instead of the mechanics. Don't get me wrong I like my crunch as much as the next DM and do miss rolling dice from time to time. Hellraiser is a perfect flavor to bring you to Kult. As one of my favorite franchises (yes even the bad entries get playtime for me) it is a game that hit my style and flavor quite well.
Long time coming, love this future series. We are having a blast playing it (more than the previous editions), sure will send some players here to get an introduction! Thanks Seth!
I cannot express how excited I was when this popped up on my feed! Ever since your video on gallery of souls came out I have been getting more and more into Kult which is slowly becoming my favourite system, and some of my favourite lore (its up their with changeling the lost and promethian for me). I does such a good job of scratching that horror itch but in a somewhat more personal and grounded way than CoC (not a knock on CoC its just a different kind of horror). I got the screams and whispers book as a Christmas gift and have been trying to convince my friends to play either his last hope, or the shunned. Thanks for introducing this amazing game to me and so many others!
I was just looking for more info on this game like a week ago, so I'm happy to see this!
Thanks for an excellent video, Seth! RUclips is full of hot takes and short reviews of different games but it's rare to get these in-depth series-length works on specific games. Kult: Divinity Lost is actually one of the few games (outside of my current games) that I'm really interested in so this should be a blast.
Ohohoh... 23 is looking dark... I love it!
been rather intrigued by this system and it's setting since I watched your KULT: The Driver - RPG Review and subsequently running it and having a really very good time
I love that I've been itching for a Kult overview and you delivered. I really appreciate your reviews.
OMG I can´t believe that the Godfather of Horror Roleplaying Games finally makes videos about this game.
I really like the idea and world of Kult and I even ran one of the free adventures for my group after you reviewed it Seth. Not really for our group, but maybe one day I’ll get to play it again.
Oh man, I am old. Still have the 1st Edition book buried somewhere around here...
Great Introduction! Now I really am considering to pick up the latest version.
I remember when Kult first edition came out...I picked it up and while I wasn't that big on the system at the time, I did use a lot of the lore in a Cyberpunk 2020 campaign I ran for a short period of time.
This is my favorite game I've ever ran or played. I've been waiting so long for you to tackle this game in this format. Love it and all your videos
Very happy to see more Kult content on the channel! I find this incredibly interesting but I have no hope of getting anyone to play this with me.
I was very glad to learn about the Beyond Darkness and Madness supplement. Seth calling it a master class in running horror games should be instructive! Would I enjoy more of this series? Yes, please!
Oh my god I am so excited for this! Kult it my favourite system (or at least one of). So happy your covering it!!!
Thanks again Seth.
This is actually the 3rd time I've watched this particular vid, each time trying to determine if I could deal with the specific horror scenarios that Kult would bring to the fore.
I honestly don't think I can. Though I am a huge fan of Lovecraft, Poe, James, Machen, Chambers and many others, my preference has always leaned more toward the implied horror than the descriptive.
Two reasons;, one being my imagination is quite elicit and productive by itself and I rarely feel the need to have scenarios detailed to such an extent and two, I've always appreciated the aspect of fear of the unknown more so than fear of the revealed.
I may elect to purchase the Core Rules book in order to glean further understanding of the game and then make final determination, so perhaps we'll see at that time.
I do appreciate you providing such a great overview, regardless my friend. :)
Great review. I've been wondering about this game for a long time, having had only a general idea what it's about. I love the disparity between the pictures of the horrible Death Angels then switching to a normal, mundane human carrying a bag of groceries. Shows what you're up against.
This is maybe the most succinct-yet-informative intro video to a TTRPG setting and system I've ever found. Really appreciate how much of a grasp on the gist of Kult this gave me in such a short time compared to reading through the core book. Thanks!
Wow, you didn't censored the excerpts out of the book at all! Alone reading these examples made me uncomfortable. Still, the art is gorgeous and I am very curious about the rules and your opinion about them. Once again, thank you very much for this great video and I will wait happily for the next one in this series.
Love saying a deep dive and other systems. Looking forward to the series. You do a great job getting people introduced. I will say for my group, Horror is just not for us. Pulp Cthulu is as close as we get. As a therapist, I spent 25 years in community mental health. I have seen enough real life horror that I don't need to role play it.
4:02 Ah yes, the good old Tree of Life.
I don't think my group would ever get into this but it's nice to know what it's all about and I always enjoy seeing the complete system overviews from Seth
Due to "Oakwood Heights" review, I tried Kult:DL for the first time. It wasn't easy to run, at some point I even started to throw dice for the combat, but it has become one of my favorite. However, it's more like a "Love-Hate relationship"; contrary to CoC or Legend of the Five Rings, games that I love no matter what. Kult pushes the players and the master to areas rarely touched in other games, but when you read the manual there is a time where you say "Yes, I know that everything is horrible, now give me stats and tables".
Still, I like the game and my players too.
The silent hill games are classics, and much better than the movies. Good source of inspiration for a game of Kult
I have been curious about Kult for a bit since you started making vids on it. Did not realize how dark it actually was and man. This is some horrifying stuff. I genuinely look forward to running it for my players one day. 😁
Super cool! Glad to see a focus on the consent in gaming stuff too.
Been looking forward to this. I've enjoyed all the Kult scenarios you've reviewed and it has me certainly interested in the game
I have found the darker the content the greater the contrast the players can bring. I have one friend who would eat this up, another who might taste it and the rest who would go pale burping up bile.
This is something I'd been hoping you'd do for a while, Seth. Much like you, I knew of Kult by vague reputation, but I didn't have anything really concrete about it (aside from that it's a deeply dark and adult game) until you started doing reviews of some of the adventure modules you've run for it, and those definitely grabbed my attention. So I'm curious to learn more about it, but already I'm intrigued. I'm often a huge sucker for stuff inspired by Gnosticism and Kabbalah lore (The Matrix, Xenogears and Xenoblade Chronicles being a few examples) and I've really gotten into roleplay-heavy horror gaming in the last few years, so this all sounds like it's right up my alley.
I’ve heard you and Jon mention it on the podcast so many times, finally a guide for it! Thank you for working on making a guide to what Kult is!!
Love your game overviews Seth! Now I know this is a game I have no interest in playing because you honestly go over it's themes and everything it contains. Thank you and keep up the great work!
Been playing Kult since I was to young to play it really. I am one of those that grew up with the original Swedish version and it's very clunky rules. I am not a fan of PbtA but I have to agree it is a better system for Kult than the system they had.
I think the part you mentioned about different creatures and magics are under their separate "planes" is a call back from how it was originally presented it was a rpg that was as much a novel/short story as it was a rulebook.
To this day I have had some of my most intense RPG moments playing Kult so I am really glad what Helmgast did with it and how it started a kult revival. I'm also glad you liked it and that Petter Nallo took a chance in giving you a book!
Keep up the good work.
Kult is something I think I'd find interesting -- and I have no issues with the PBTA mechanics, I actually quite like a lot of them especially how "combat" can just be woven into the regular flow of the game so it doesn't feel like a separate "mode". But if you're used to the more regimented and strict game style of most turn-based-combat games, I can see how it would be something that'd need some getting used to. I like that it can help give players the _permission_ to not be 100%-combat-oriented when some fighting does break out and maybe disengage from murderous-intent to find another way to overcome the challenge of a scene.
However, the dark and disturbing content would not, I think, be a good fit for most of my game group. I'd be all for it, but that doesn't mean I can by any rights push it on the members of my group who I know would not be comfortable with it. Even with some generous use of veils, fade-to-black, or just omission... it wouldn't be worth it, I think. I've managed to get my fill of "horror" gaming with some World of Darkness I run with mostly just implications of the bad stuff, and focusing more on tense scenes with the _anticipation_ of terrible things and only occasional fulfillment (but pairing down the description as best I can to most leave the worst to the listener's imagination).
I am tempted to pick up "Screams and Whispers" though if it's as you describe it.
I really appreciate the examples as they are great in assessing the overall tone that works or doesnt work for me or a group. Regardless of whether this would be the game for me, I will still watch the entire series to see how it works and what elements may be interesting.
If you ever wonder if you’ve reviewed enough Kult the answer is you need to review More Kult.
Fascinating start to this series. I won't be playing this game, but this vid gave me some ideas for my own mad-weird-mystery campaign. Keep 'em coming Seth! Much appreciated.
Saw you mention this series was on the way recently on Twitter. Very excited to see it start as a friend wants to start running this game in the near future, so great timing here.
Picked up the Kult rulebook just because its so gorgeous and has such a cool aesthetic. Wanted to run it for a while, excited for this series!
You read my mind. I just ordered the core book from Modophius a few days ago. I'm looking forward to your series on Unknown Armies *fingers crossed*. ;-)
Unknown Armies 2nd Ed would be great, but one thing at a time. I'm really, really not a fan of 3rd Ed, but hearing Seth's thoughts on the topic would be valuable.
Love the t-shirt, I'm reading _The King in Yellow_ just now 💛
Always happy to see your videos in my feed! Thanks for the content! 😊
Fantastic as always Uncle Seth 💜 I have to say I wouldn't be comfortable with hearing about lot of the subjects in Kult from just anyone, but you've fostered such a feeling of trust and safety with your channel and community I knew you'd make it aok - thanks for being you and making awesome videos!
Kult is a great game for the right audience (definitely adults only). I see it as one of the few horror games that shines a light (or a shadow?) over Call of Cthulhu, and it is almost a photo negative of the themes of Call of Cthulhu where humans are potentially gods rather than insignificant. The PbtA rules actually fits a lot better, in my view, than the more conventional rules of previous editions - and I’m not an advocate for PbtA normally. Some of the scenarios available are really strongly written, and there are more coming. One area of expansion that will also come in time is the magic system - which captures a lot of the lore in it.
Thank you so much Seth! I remember my friend running this game for us when it had just come out. We were much younger and Sweden was a different country then. Like yourself, it blew our minds.
Like one comment below said, I am very much looking forward to what NPC (Like Jack for Cuthullu) you will give us! A writer down on his luck perhaps?
The two authors Jonsson and Petersen are sociologists and quite famous in the community and our country.
The criticism you gave, we all had the same feelings when we played. I think the authors stated that they were reluctant to flesh it out, since much of the horror would be lost and also there was going to be a never-ending debate about monster-stats.
Once again, thank you Seth!
Sincerely, Alicia Antoniadis, from Sweden
I just literally sat and was looking for Kult QuickStart, then found your video you published 5 mins ago. Brilliant timing. Thanks for video, top notch, Seth
While the idea of a gnostic inspired TTRPG really interests me, hearing those examples made me realize that Kult probably isn’t the game for me - at least not certain topics, anyway. I’ll still watch the series, because I’m always down for more of your content, and thank you for covering this game, but holy shit those examples were wayyy darker than I thought 😅
On a brighter note, I’m EXTREMELY glad that they take consent so seriously! Consent is so so so important for so many things
If the game isn't your jam, I fully understand. It's definitely not for everyone.
That said, the key point of the Horror Contract is establishing the boundaries for the table. It encourages tables to communicate what topics should be downplayed, not shown "on camera", and which ones are outright forbidden, as well as Players and GMs being able to nope-out if the session swerves into territory they aren't enjoying. The examples are meant to show what it could be if we have no limits. They're very effective in eliciting an emotional response. But they're intended to help begin the conversation of how and where do we set our table's limits so we can all have fun. Personally, I find it the most mature and fearless coverage of this topic I've encountered.
@@SSkorkowsky that makes perfect sense - having players all have fun with the game is the whole point, and limits are extremely important when it comes to things like this.
I got the Black edition of the core rulebook and Screams and Whispers recently. Glad to see a video up about the system as a whole. Looking forward to the rest of them.
Would also love to hear your thoughts on the Delta Green system
I still have my original boxed edition of KULT, in Swedish. Haven't played it in many, many years though.
Great overview, Seth. Wow! What a game. I'd love to explore it with my players, but I know a couple of them have expressly declined intense horror stuff. Now I'm thinking about running a single story arc with the few others who would be down for it... I really appreciate your discussions. Thank you so much.
Perfect timing! I just got this book a couple weeks ago
Interesting ideas, and much potential. I don't have a group that is ready to play a game like this, but it certainly makes my mind whirl with possibilities. I may have to buy this game just as a mental exercise to funnel my creativity into producing a better quality of fiction stories. Your comment on, "the master class for horror," is a very effective way to describe it. I'll have to stop buying warhammer models for a while, I guess, and save up some dough.
Seth, you are absolutely correct when you say how this game is not for everybody. I have played many different games in many different genres over the decades, and this game is some thing I have absolutely zero interest in ever playing. It is just not for me.
Thank you for covering Kult: Divinity Lost, I've been dying to know more about this system, looking forward to the rest of the series!
Hallo Seth, my Handy drops down as i saw that you are going to make a Kult Video Series :) Thank you for your great work ! Can not wait for the next one :) Greetings from Germany
Demonetized! I wish there were more let's plays of this to listen to on YT. The people who do play this get really into the characters and roleplay I think than dice throwing, it sounds more like grown up theater kids trying to freak each other out. I've really enjoyed listening to the ones that exist.
I have had and played this game for years, but don't feel I have ever gotten it right. I don't have the new edition, I will pick that up and follow this series with interest.
Picked up the book when you covered the driver (after doing some research on the setting and finding it interesting.) And ran a session of the atrocity exhibition last month with help from your video.
Edit: I want to add that even if you aren't interested in playing the game or can't find a group, I think Kult has one of the most readable rule books ever.
Yay yay yay!!! New series!!!!! Perfect timing too, as we all need new games right about now.
How could I not get this game after that endorsement!
Your descriptions brought many of my favorite books to mind. Ones I have read many times. It also reminds me of Mork Borg in a way, but more serious.
I was looking for something like this! Thank you, this brick of a book is dense enough that I need a expedition team to pick through the rules.
Every time you do one of those series I end up investing way too much into that systen
Great introduction. Really looking forward to this series of videos Seth.
Along the shore the cloud waves break,
The twin suns sink behind the lake,
The shadows lengthen
In Carcosa.
Song of my soul, my voice is dead.
Die thou, unsung, as tears unshed
shall dry and die in
Lost Carcosa.
This is a good review and introduction, telling what the game is about. While I personally don't have a ton of interest in the game myself, being a player who has bounced off hard from PbtA and FitD games in the past, I will still be watching every video just to know what the game is about and how does it work, especially how it differs from others in its family tree.
I've been waiting on this one for a long time!
I can't wait for more of this since I purchased the books and want to get into running Kult but I'm sort of caught between preparing a big Traveller campaign and doing this and considering how difficult I've found getting into Kult (had a hard time figuring out what an actual Kult game should look like and how to run it effectively), this video series is really going to help me get my bearings.
Hi Seth,
Great review im tempted to switch Cthulhu for Kult for a while. Im supprised you did not mention Dark City as a movie to reference to Kult, Matrix took quite a lot of inspiration from that as well, and it has a neo- Noir vibe too, with a bit of Cosmic horror mixed into it.
The day just got better ❤
The sample text with the toddler got under my skin. I´m a big fan of dark an gritty horror, but i guess i´ve grown soft, becoming a father myself. Still i would love to try this game out
Absolutely loved this definitely one of my favourite games of all time. In the earlier editions "beyond the boundaries" and "heart, mind and soul" covered the kind of "spells"/ rituals that could be discovered/used. I had exactly the same experience with the lor as you did but I think that was in the first English edition. An incredibly fascinating setting and genuinely extremely disturbing.
However, I was wondering would you ever run this in a "con" setting? I think it would personally be very challenging to do so, without accidentally overstepping boundaries even with the horror contract.
As always thank you and keep up the awsoem stuff.
Hey Seth, you briefly mentioned the Silent Hill movie as inspiration for running Kult. I know you're not a videogames guy, but you'd probably get a kick out of looking into the actual game series, namely 1, 2 and 3. They're pretty decent inspirations for it when it comes to the themes they tackle and how they tackle it.
I also really recomend 4. Its not the best in terms of story, but it does have a surreal atmosphere and does a good job of presenting a layered reality. It's a good example of style if not the substance of the series.