Well fellas, turns out Racket just posted my latest article. It's a look at the various survival horror games on the PlayStation. Check it out for some info on a few titles you might not be aware of:
http://www.racketboy.com/retro/survival ... brary.html
october means a month of horror games
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Re: october means a month of horror games
Ack wrote:Well fellas, turns out Racket just posted my latest article. It's a look at the various survival horror games on the PlayStation. Check it out for some info on a few titles you might not be aware of:
http://www.racketboy.com/retro/survival ... brary.html
Cube's next, right bud?
Re: october means a month of horror games
Yeah, I'll work on the Gamecube next. And since it's Oct. 9, time to check out Mansion of Hidden Souls.
From Sega-16:
"When Jonathan's little sister finds a butterfly in an open field, she wishes she could turn into one. In a flash, she disappears inside a mysterious mansion. Luckily for her, she's in good company, as the house is populated by other butterflies - all of which used to be people too. The problem is, unless Jonathan can rescue her before the mysterious "hunter" reaches her first, she'll be permanently transformed into a butterfly and added to the mansion's collection."
Here's the game intro for the Sega CD version:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rky5X5pF ... re=related
This game has been criticized for some interesting things over the years. First off, the Sega CD version really shows the limits of the hardware. It's not an ugly game by any means, but it has some issues(such as the stuttering in that intro video). The game also is considered a bit too easy and short, so it can usually be completed in a few hours. To make things even easier, movement is done entirely on rails, so you can only check out the things you have to check out.
Still, the game's an enjoyable romp for people who check it out. The mansion you have to explore is suitably creepy, all the dialogue is spoken, and the game is even compatible with the Mega Mouse. It's not really scary, just creepy. The best description I've seen for it has to be "It's a child's version of D," and I think there's some truth to that, but I still think horror game fans will enjoy it.
From Sega-16:
"When Jonathan's little sister finds a butterfly in an open field, she wishes she could turn into one. In a flash, she disappears inside a mysterious mansion. Luckily for her, she's in good company, as the house is populated by other butterflies - all of which used to be people too. The problem is, unless Jonathan can rescue her before the mysterious "hunter" reaches her first, she'll be permanently transformed into a butterfly and added to the mansion's collection."
Here's the game intro for the Sega CD version:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rky5X5pF ... re=related
This game has been criticized for some interesting things over the years. First off, the Sega CD version really shows the limits of the hardware. It's not an ugly game by any means, but it has some issues(such as the stuttering in that intro video). The game also is considered a bit too easy and short, so it can usually be completed in a few hours. To make things even easier, movement is done entirely on rails, so you can only check out the things you have to check out.
Still, the game's an enjoyable romp for people who check it out. The mansion you have to explore is suitably creepy, all the dialogue is spoken, and the game is even compatible with the Mega Mouse. It's not really scary, just creepy. The best description I've seen for it has to be "It's a child's version of D," and I think there's some truth to that, but I still think horror game fans will enjoy it.
Re: october means a month of horror games
Sorry this is being put up so late in the day, I had a slow start this morning.
Alone in the Dark
This game holds a Guinness World Record for being the first 3D survival horror game. It was also one of the first to use 3D sprites over a prerendered background in 1992, several years before Resident Evil would popularize it. The game incorporates several major elements of the Lovecraftian Cthulhu mythos, including specific characters, creatures, and tomes. It's a nonlinear action title with some combat, some unkillable monsters, and a heavy helping of puzzles. Here's an introduction to the plot:
"In 1925, Jeremy Hartwood, a noted artist and the owner of the Louisiana mansion Derceto, has committed suicide by hanging himself. His death appears suspicious yet seems to surprise no-one, for Derceto is widely reputed to be haunted by an evil power. The case is quickly dealt with by the police and soon forgotten by the public. The player assumes the role of either Edward Carnby, a private investigator who is sent to find a piano in the loft for an antique dealer, or Emily Hartwood, Jeremy's niece, who is also interested in finding the piano because she believes a secret drawer in it has a note in which Jeremy explains his suicide. The player, either as Carnby or Hartwood, goes to the mansion to investigate. As the player enters the house, the doors mysteriously slam shut behind him or her. Reluctantly, he or she continues up to the attic. In that room, the action begins.
Seconds after the game allows the player to take control of their character, monsters will make their first attack. The player must then progress back down through the house, fighting off various creatures and other hazards in the house, including a whole staff of staggering zombies and various monsters (not all of which can be killed), booby-traps and arcane books, in order to solve the mystery of Derceto and find a way out."
Unfortunately, the rest of the series would never reach the quality of the first title, so while you might be interested to know that there are multiple later Alone in the Dark titles, none are as good as the original. One of these titles, Jack in the Dark, was packaged for a short time with the CD version of Alone in the Dark for PC.
The game also features connections to another game based on the Cthulhu mythos, Shadow of the Comet.
Alone in the Dark
This game holds a Guinness World Record for being the first 3D survival horror game. It was also one of the first to use 3D sprites over a prerendered background in 1992, several years before Resident Evil would popularize it. The game incorporates several major elements of the Lovecraftian Cthulhu mythos, including specific characters, creatures, and tomes. It's a nonlinear action title with some combat, some unkillable monsters, and a heavy helping of puzzles. Here's an introduction to the plot:
"In 1925, Jeremy Hartwood, a noted artist and the owner of the Louisiana mansion Derceto, has committed suicide by hanging himself. His death appears suspicious yet seems to surprise no-one, for Derceto is widely reputed to be haunted by an evil power. The case is quickly dealt with by the police and soon forgotten by the public. The player assumes the role of either Edward Carnby, a private investigator who is sent to find a piano in the loft for an antique dealer, or Emily Hartwood, Jeremy's niece, who is also interested in finding the piano because she believes a secret drawer in it has a note in which Jeremy explains his suicide. The player, either as Carnby or Hartwood, goes to the mansion to investigate. As the player enters the house, the doors mysteriously slam shut behind him or her. Reluctantly, he or she continues up to the attic. In that room, the action begins.
Seconds after the game allows the player to take control of their character, monsters will make their first attack. The player must then progress back down through the house, fighting off various creatures and other hazards in the house, including a whole staff of staggering zombies and various monsters (not all of which can be killed), booby-traps and arcane books, in order to solve the mystery of Derceto and find a way out."
Unfortunately, the rest of the series would never reach the quality of the first title, so while you might be interested to know that there are multiple later Alone in the Dark titles, none are as good as the original. One of these titles, Jack in the Dark, was packaged for a short time with the CD version of Alone in the Dark for PC.
The game also features connections to another game based on the Cthulhu mythos, Shadow of the Comet.
Re: october means a month of horror games
I've always been really interested in playing the original Alone in the Dark. I almost picked up Alone in the Dark 2 for the Saturn recently, but decided against it at the last minute. Sounds like a made a good decision if its not as good as the original.Ack wrote:Sorry this is being put up so late in the day, I had a slow start this morning.
Alone in the Dark
This game holds a Guinness World Record for being the first 3D survival horror game. It was also one of the first to use 3D sprites over a prerendered background in 1992, several years before Resident Evil would popularize it. The game incorporates several major elements of the Lovecraftian Cthulhu mythos, including specific characters, creatures, and tomes. It's a nonlinear action title with some combat, some unkillable monsters, and a heavy helping of puzzles. Here's an introduction to the plot:
"In 1925, Jeremy Hartwood, a noted artist and the owner of the Louisiana mansion Derceto, has committed suicide by hanging himself. His death appears suspicious yet seems to surprise no-one, for Derceto is widely reputed to be haunted by an evil power. The case is quickly dealt with by the police and soon forgotten by the public. The player assumes the role of either Edward Carnby, a private investigator who is sent to find a piano in the loft for an antique dealer, or Emily Hartwood, Jeremy's niece, who is also interested in finding the piano because she believes a secret drawer in it has a note in which Jeremy explains his suicide. The player, either as Carnby or Hartwood, goes to the mansion to investigate. As the player enters the house, the doors mysteriously slam shut behind him or her. Reluctantly, he or she continues up to the attic. In that room, the action begins.
Seconds after the game allows the player to take control of their character, monsters will make their first attack. The player must then progress back down through the house, fighting off various creatures and other hazards in the house, including a whole staff of staggering zombies and various monsters (not all of which can be killed), booby-traps and arcane books, in order to solve the mystery of Derceto and find a way out."
Unfortunately, the rest of the series would never reach the quality of the first title, so while you might be interested to know that there are multiple later Alone in the Dark titles, none are as good as the original. One of these titles, Jack in the Dark, was packaged for a short time with the CD version of Alone in the Dark for PC.
The game also features connections to another game based on the Cthulhu mythos, Shadow of the Comet.
I've actually thought about picking up a 3DO recently, so maybe I'll try to get a hold of the 3DO port.
Re: october means a month of horror games
I actually picked up a 3DO a few months back, and this was one of the games I was interested in. I haven't managed to get a copy yet either, though it's thankfully not too expensive. Unfortunately nobody seems to be selling it complete, at least not when I last checked.
Re: october means a month of horror games
Phantasmagoria
"The story by Roberta Williams, somewhat similar to that of The Shining, revolves around paperback writer Adrienne Delaney, who has together with her husband Donald Gordon just bought a remote, enormous mansion previously owned by a famous magician in the late 19th century, Zoltan Carnovasch (Carno). Adrienne is hoping to get in the mood for writing her next novel and Don, a photographer, wants to photograph things. Immediately upon moving into the house, Adrienne begins having nightmares. Unknown to the happy two, Zoltan the magician was into black magic and had summoned an evil demon which possessed him, causing him to murder his wives."
This game is notable as being one of the largest for its time in terms of disc space(7 CDs baby!), but more importantly, for being the first adventure game to use a live actor as the playable character in the game. All the cutscenes in the game were also filmed with live actors, and the gore during the multiple murders can get pretty nasty. There's also a weird bathroom rape scene in this game of black magic and demonic possession. Phantasmagoria's also notable because the game was mostly headed by a female game developer who was very influential in the adventure genre, Roberta Williams, known for such classics as the Kings Quest series.
Though the game was banned in some countries all together and given adult ratings in others, it proved to be one of Sierra's best selling titles in 1995. If you like adventure games and want to try one with a horror twist, check this one out.
Also, for those of you wondering what the game's like, here's a video of the great murder scene in the greenhouse:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sNaG-oUMp28
My favorite death is probably the one where the demon rips Adrienne's face open.
"The story by Roberta Williams, somewhat similar to that of The Shining, revolves around paperback writer Adrienne Delaney, who has together with her husband Donald Gordon just bought a remote, enormous mansion previously owned by a famous magician in the late 19th century, Zoltan Carnovasch (Carno). Adrienne is hoping to get in the mood for writing her next novel and Don, a photographer, wants to photograph things. Immediately upon moving into the house, Adrienne begins having nightmares. Unknown to the happy two, Zoltan the magician was into black magic and had summoned an evil demon which possessed him, causing him to murder his wives."
This game is notable as being one of the largest for its time in terms of disc space(7 CDs baby!), but more importantly, for being the first adventure game to use a live actor as the playable character in the game. All the cutscenes in the game were also filmed with live actors, and the gore during the multiple murders can get pretty nasty. There's also a weird bathroom rape scene in this game of black magic and demonic possession. Phantasmagoria's also notable because the game was mostly headed by a female game developer who was very influential in the adventure genre, Roberta Williams, known for such classics as the Kings Quest series.
Though the game was banned in some countries all together and given adult ratings in others, it proved to be one of Sierra's best selling titles in 1995. If you like adventure games and want to try one with a horror twist, check this one out.
Also, for those of you wondering what the game's like, here's a video of the great murder scene in the greenhouse:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sNaG-oUMp28
My favorite death is probably the one where the demon rips Adrienne's face open.
Re: october means a month of horror games
This site is a must read about this game.Ack wrote:Phantasmagoria
http://anthonylarme.tripod.com/phantas/phantas.html
It also has lots of interesting stuff about censorship in Australia, especially as related to this game:
Re: october means a month of horror games
Awesome site, thanks!dsheinem wrote:This site is a must read about this game.Ack wrote:Phantasmagoria
http://anthonylarme.tripod.com/phantas/phantas.html
It also has lots of interesting stuff about censorship in Australia, especially as related to this game:
Re: october means a month of horror games
I get a real "Diablo" vibe from the HUD for Phantasmagoria. There's something so creepy about that art style done with dated graphics. Also, I can't believe it was seven discs! That is awesome!