Video game – ‘Werewolf: The Apocalypse — Earthblood’

By Adele Chapline Smith | Catholic News Service

NEW YORK (CNS) — The third-person action role-playing game “Werewolf: The Apocalypse — Earthblood” (Nacon) provides the limited thrills to be derived from playing as a supernatural creature.

But gratuitous violence, a weak story and muddled morality combine to make this a poor choice for gamers of any age.

Part of a long-running, multimedia franchise in the “World of Darkness” universe, this title follows Cahal, a werewolf from Washington state. Cahal went into self-imposed exile after the murder of his wife caused him to lose control and kill a fellow wolfman.

Five years later, Cahal rejoins his pack after discovering that Endron, the same megacorporation responsible for the slaying of his wife, is launching an attack on them. Upon returning, he learns his daughter is working as an undercover operative in an Endron facility somewhere and determines to rescue her.

This is a scene from the video game “Werewolf: The Apocalypse – Earthblood.” The Catholic News Service classification is A-III — adults. The Entertainment Software Rating Board rating is M ñ- mature. (CNS photo/Nacon)

Endowed with both human skills and otherworldly abilities, Cahal uses stealth as well as aggressive combat in executing his missions. As a wolf, for instance, Cahal sneaks through vents to navigate larger enemy areas. This challenges players to think critically and stay several steps ahead of the game’s programming.

When subtler methods seem inadequate, however, Cahal deploys his claws and relies on brute strength to overpower the enemies in his path, some of them monsters. Combat is almost a breeze since the werewolf is far more powerful than most of his opponents. Thus, gory images are frequent because Cahal’s superpowers enable him to rip humans apart with ease.

Players need to manage Cahal’s rage, a mechanic that sends him into a blind fury and causes him to shapeshift. His ire rises as he learns about problems caused by human aggressiveness, greed and disregard for the environment.

Cahal is originally a sympathetic character, based on the tragic loss of his spouse. But he squanders gamers’ goodwill by the way he talks about Endron workers. He views them as having signed their death warrants when they signed their employment contracts. This lack of respect for life puts Cahal on the same ethical level as the force he’s fighting.

Cahal’s story includes themes of redemption, forgiveness and reconciliation. But these are overshadowed by his thirst for vengeance and the sheer destructiveness in which both he and his adversaries engage.

The fast-paced combat mechanics can be quite fun. Yet the weak plot and lackluster characters fail to engage interest or sustain attention. Add to that the blurred values underlying Cahal’s adventures and it becomes obvious that even gamers with a liking for lycanthropes have many better options.

Playable on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S and Windows PC.

The game contains graphic combat violence with bloody effects, a vengeance theme, a few drug references and occasional rough and crude language. The Catholic News Service classification is A-III — adults. The Entertainment Software Rating Board rating is M — mature.

Smith reviews video games for Catholic News Service.

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Author: Catholic News Service

Catholic News Service is the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ news and information service.

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