Cults, sects, secret orders — in pop culture, they usually mean trouble.
Movie and game protagonists often have to run from them, fall victim to them, or do everything in their power to stop them from bringing the apocalypse. Throw in some torches, whispered prayers, and a chilling, oppressive atmosphere and boom — you’ve got a classic horror.
Games Where YOU Are the Cult Leader
But what if this time… you are the problem? Imagine you’re the one calling the shots. People hang on to your every word, and each decision you make feels like a divine revelation.
Instead of fighting a cult, you’re founding one, growing it, and leading it to greatness. Sounds like a perfect setup for a game? Good news — we’ve put together a list of titles where you don’t flee from the cult… you lead it. Will you guide your followers toward enlightenment or total madness? Let’s find out!
Cult of the Lamb
Release Date: August 11, 2022
Genres: Role-playing (RPG), Simulator, Strategy, Hack and slash/Beat 'em up, Adventure, Indie
Honey, I Joined a Cult
Release Date: September 14, 2021
Genres: Simulator, Strategy, Indie
The Shrouded Isle
Release Date: August 04, 2017
Genres: Role-playing (RPG), Simulator, Strategy, Indie
RimWorld
Release Date: July 15, 2016
Genres: Real Time Strategy (RTS), Simulator, Strategy, Indie
Cultist Simulator
Release Date: May 31, 2018
Genres: Role-playing (RPG), Simulator, Adventure, Indie, Card & Board Game
Building a loyal (or completely unhinged) community, making questionable choices, and walking the fine line between revelation and delusion is something that stays with you.
Selection Criteria
When picking the games, we focused on titles that actually let you step into the role of a cult leader — not just in name, but in gameplay.
We wanted you to truly become part of what, in most games, you’d be running from. These games let you shape the fate of your followers, build your ideology (sometimes quite… controversial), manage resources, deliver divine messages, and face tough, often morally murky choices.
We also aimed for variety — both in genre (from strategy to sims) and in style: from cute and grotesque to dark and serious. And for the modding fans out there, we threw in something extra — because even on a distant planet, the truth must be spread… with a little effort, of course.
Conclusion
Is being a cult leader the path to glory, or a one-way ticket to disaster? That’s entirely up to you. One thing’s for sure — boredom won’t be an issue.
So if you’re in the mood for a bit of charismatic madness — roll up your sleeves, grab your incense (or megaphone), and start building your faith empire. After all, someone’s gotta lead. Why not you?