Bad Karmas and Curse of Cthulhu: Honest & Precise Prototype Review

Cosmic Horrors Unleashed
The Bad Karmas and The Curse of Cthulhu is the latest standalone expansion (Gamefound campaign here) to the popular Bad Karmas and The Curse of The Zodiac, this time dragging you into the depths of cosmic horror. Set in the 1920s, this expansion introduces new characters, new threats, and, of course, the terrifying Great Old Ones like Cthulhu and Nyarlathotep. The stakes are high: not only are you fighting for humanity’s survival, but you’re also battling to maintain your sanity. What makes this expansion stand out is how it integrates madness as a core mechanic, where heroes risk tipping into insanity while still needing to pull off a victory.
But is this blend of strategic combat, evolving enemies, and digital integration worth your time? Let’s dive into the details.
Seamless App Integration and Setup
One of the standout features of The Bad Karmas and The Curse of Cthulhu is how effortlessly the game starts. No more flipping through thick rulebooks—just fire up the app, and you’re good to go. The app takes care of enemy AI, status effects, boss actions, and even the tracking of key gameplay elements like buffs and debuffs. What’s impressive is how intuitive it feels. The app doesn’t interrupt the flow; instead, it enhances it by automating all the nitty-gritty that would typically slow down a game. Set-up time is under five minutes, which is a breath of fresh air, especially in a genre where boss-battler games can often take a while to get going.
The Teburu system integrates the app with your physical components, using RFID technology to track miniatures on the board. This allows the game to know where every figure is, what buffs they’ve gained, and what side of the boss is vulnerable—all without you having to track these details manually. This seamless tech integration makes gameplay faster, smoother, and less prone to human error.
Evolving Enemy Behavior
What really makes The Curse of Cthulhu feel dynamic is how the enemies adapt to your moves. From the first moment you face off against a Great Old One, you’ll notice that their behaviour isn’t static. In one session, Ithaqua began by largely ignoring us. But as we advanced and attacked, it changed tactics—charging through our heroes, pushing us back, and hiding in the corners. At some points, Ithaqua even started focusing on setting up ice blocks across the board to make the game even more challenging. The evolving behaviour keeps you on your toes, constantly forcing you to adjust your strategy.
This aspect of unpredictability adds immense replayability. No two sessions feel the same because the boss reacts differently depending on how your team plays. The app ensures that every game feels fresh, and with multiple bosses like Cthulhu, Hastur, and Shub-Niggurath, the challenges always change.
Team Synergy and Hero Variety
Another strength of the game is the way it encourages teamwork. Your heroes need to work together, not just to take down the boss but also to stay alive. The order in which players take their turns matters a lot. During one game, my Gangster charged at Ithaqua, exposing its vulnerable side by forcing it to turn, while our Explorer used her extra movement to reach that exposed weak spot and land a critical hit. This synergy between heroes feels both intuitive and satisfying, and all of it leads to many epic, very cinematic moments.
Each hero comes with a unique set of skills, and you can upgrade these during battles by meeting certain conditions. Heroes also have access to powerful “ultimate” moves that can turn the tide of a battle when timed right. The curse mechanic is an interesting risk-reward system that adds another layer of strategy. Gaining Curse Points can unlock one-use-only strong cards, but rack up too many, and the penalties can hurt. It’s a constant balancing act between using your power wisely and not overextending yourself.
Strategic Stance and Positioning
Positioning is crucial in The Bad Karmas and The Curse of Cthulhu. At the start of each round, you choose a stance for your hero—fire stance reduces cooldowns for your abilities, while air stance gives you extra movement. These stances are essential not only for maximizing your damage output but also for dealing with the boss’s attacks. Some stances can help mitigate the impact of being pushed or teleport for example, which is particularly important in scenarios where positioning can make or break your strategy.
The game offers plenty of tactical decisions without feeling overwhelming. The app’s real-time tracking of buffs and debuffs helps keep the focus on planning and positioning rather than bookkeeping. It’s clear that the developers wanted players to feel immersed in the fight rather than bogged down by details, and they’ve succeeded.
Immersive Production Quality
From the very first moment, The Curse of Cthulhu grabs your attention with its high-quality production. The miniatures are beautifully crafted, and the app adds to the atmosphere with immersive audio cues and background music that change depending on what’s happening in the game. When a boss becomes vulnerable or a hero is cursed, the app lights up the miniature bases in real-time, visually signaling changes in the battlefield. This adds to the immersion, making the fight feel alive and reactive.
The artwork also complements the dark, eerie atmosphere of the game’s theme. Every component feels like it belongs in the world of cosmic horror, from the character art to the board itself. Even the smaller details, like the color-coded buffs and debuffs displayed on the miniatures, add to the experience without feeling gimmicky.
Verdict
The Bad Karmas and The Curse of Cthulhu is a masterclass in app-driven board games. Its seamless integration of digital and physical components creates a fluid and immersive experience, while the evolving enemy behavior and team-based strategy keep every session fresh and engaging. All of it leads to the often, epic, and cinematic moments during the session. The game’s reliance on an app may raise some eyebrows among traditional board gamers, but the way it streamlines gameplay and adds depth more than justifies its inclusion. Replayability is sky-high thanks to the dynamic enemy AI and a wide array of heroes and bosses to face off against.
Whether you’re a fan of boss-battler games, love the tension of cosmic horror, or just appreciate a well-designed cooperative experience, The Curse of Cthulhu delivers in spades. It’s easy to recommend for both seasoned gamers and newcomers looking to explore app-driven gameplay. The only question is, are you ready to confront your fears and face the madness?”
– David
Hype & Hopes: 9.0/10