Everything was going to plan. I had the key and I had successfully backtracked to save my progress. However, it was unknown to me that I had triggered a timed event from the moment I collected the key. Unfortunately, my saving of the game had left me with little time to reach Ruth and stop her less-than-elegant fall from grace. With my last usable gamesave several chapters prior, I was unable to do anything other than eject the game disk, insert expletives, and start all over again' from the very beginning.

Regardless of Cthulhu's breakdown with Ruth the game still manages to be a captivating triumph from start to finish. Not only is the perilous hunt gripping, but it is also showcased in a visually pleasing soir'e. The game drips of dank, dark atmosphere, and during your time at Innsmouth you really get the sense you are an outsider fringing on a seal of cataclysm. It must be acknowledged that the game's engine does look less than cutting edge; however this seems to be a common occurrence with games that have been in extended periods of development (i.e. Galleon). The town, dockyard wharfs, gold processing factory, and many other locations look very authentic and exude a lovely sense of chilling decay. The numerous cinematic portions of the game are also quite gripping and bring the milieu of the Cthulhu universe to life.

Additional mention must also be given to Cthulhu's tremendous insanity system, which may frequently churn your stomach and possibly your very wits. Without a doubt the ability to visually experience oscillating vertigo, blurred vision from intolerable panic, and a host of other emotional states that twists and contort the screen, will plunge gamers into a heightened state of realism. Witness one too many dead bodies and Jack will start to hear voices, or panic as his teeth chatter and the walls around him meander in and out of reality. Take a gun shot blast to any part of your body and you immediately experience Jack's pain and incapacitated paradox. It is a lovely system and certainly adds a deeper level of immersion than has previously been explored in the horror genre (i.e. Fahrenheit XBW: 83%).

Call of Cthulhu's audio also exuberates a rich tenor, which was only reduced by the repetitive howl of enemies -'I SEE HIM!!' yells the guttural oaf for the umpteenth time. Otherwise Call of Cthulhu has an outstanding collection of ambient sounds and musical scores that consistently enrich the game-world and evoke a sense of impending threat. Voice acting for Cthulhu has also been produced with great results and Jack's voice accurately authenticates the role of a derelict gumshoe to great ends. As with the often frantic pace of Cthulhu the rupture of braking doors, chasing hordes, emotional quips, and ethereal voices each contribute to making Call of Cthulhu an engaging ride.