Cultic Chapter 2 brings the horror FPS’ tale to a close today

The conclusion to Jasozz Games and publisher 3D Realms action/horror FPS is here. Chapter 2 of Cultic expands the original right now on PC.

Getting Cultic with it

If you’re not aware of Cultic, it’s a gem of a retro first-person shooter that hit all the right notes for us. From developer Jasozz Games and publisher Saber Interactive’s 3D Realms label, the game presented a dark and horror-soaked tale of a mysterious cult, otherworldly creatures, and a PI on a mission. It also did all of that while looking and sounding like it would have fit right into the PC FPS scene of… oh, let’s say 1997.

Now the sorta-sequel has finally launched onto the PC, by way of Steam, and looks to tie up loose ends and finish the fight. Expect more excellently-retro visuals, tons of cultists, and plenty of monsters to blast back to the netherworld.

Awakening in the cold, dark morgue beneath the besieged police station, you find yourself in the middle of a cult-controlled New Grandewel, with corpses littering the streets, flames billowing from the windows of torched buildings, and cultists infesting every inch of the city you once protected. Fight your way through all-new maps in Chapter Two – a full expansion campaign boasting larger, more detailed maps, new weapons and enemies, and more secrets and surprises to discover.

3D Realms press release

What horrors lurk

Important to note, is that Chapter 2 isn’t a standalone release. Instead it basically functions as an expansion pack. Instead of side-story or some such though, it adds the second and closing chapter to the original game.

Even so though, it definitely looks and sounds chunky, with new weapons, movement mechanics, and a trio of fresh survival maps. All of that comes in addition to a set of optimizations as well.

Chapter Two continues and concludes the story from Chapter One, and players can expect more of CULTIC’s intense, gritty, open-ended combat, enhanced with new mechanics and refinements. CULTIC’s signature weapon arsenal returns, with the inclusion of Interlude’s Revolver and SASG, which players can freely alternate with the lever-action and sawed-off. The revamped Dodge system, along with the new Tackle mechanic, allows players to get up close and play aggressively, quickly zipping out of harm’s way or using that burst of speed to slam into enemies, stunning them and interrupting their attacks for some much-needed breathing room to reload and strike back.

Players can also utilize new “temporary weapons” such as the mounted machinegun or bazooka to dish out massive damage, adding to the roster of ways the player can weaponize the environment against their foes. Tower Shields have also received a significant overhaul, allowing them to be carried around the map much more easily, planted in the ground for temporary cover, used to run-and-gun with one-handed weapons, or launched into an enemy’s face with a well-timed kick or tackle.

To give players even more ways to enjoy these combat enhancements, Chapter Two includes three new Survival Maps, as well, featuring some of the best arenas from the new chapter to test your skills and fight against waves of enemies, including the new additions to the cult’s roster!

On top of these gameplay improvements, the game has received a significant amount of optimizations which not only allow for even larger, more densely populated maps with more detailed lighting, but also improve performance for existing maps, as well. These adjustments are all retroactive to Chapter One, as the “2.0 Update” is now also available, allowing all CULTIC players to enjoy these optimizations and gameplay updates even if they haven’t picked up the DLC yet. Chapter One has also received a full polishing pass, as well as an overhaul of some of the visuals and decor on the maps.

3D Realms press release

Cultic: Chapter 2 is out right now for the PC (via Steam), and can be added to already existing copies of Cultic for $9.99 USD. If you’d like to read our review of the 2022 original, click here.