The game has even been featured in PC Gamer Magazine! Please do try it out, I'm sure retro fans such as yourselves would find it a real treat.
Introduction
The Beyond is a freeware survival horror/adventure game created in the style of pioneer horror games such as Sweet Home and Alone In The Dark.
The Beyond is not a normal adventure game. In The Beyond, you find yourself trapped in a "haunted" mansion known as The Beyond, and are soon under attack by a strange, and evil power. Using your brain and your reflexes, you must think and fight your way to safety, solving puzzles and defeating horrifying enemies to make your escape.
In order to escape the terror, you'll first need to understand the cause of the nightmare. Make sure you collect all the clues so that you can understand the fate that has befallen the mansion. But, be careful. You are always in danger, and it is easy to let the fear overwhelm you. Don't give in to the evil.
Story Outline
Mairstone Manor
Also known as The Beyond, this mansion was built in the early 1950's by renowned ex military general and historian Thomas Mairstone.
It is situated in the rural coal mining town of Black Valley in the isolated midwest. The entire town is isolated, being situated in a remote valley, and sorrounded by acres of dense forest. The locals fear The Beyond, and blame it for several disapearances of townspeople, including the mansion's owners, and bizarre phenomena that has been recently occuring in town.
Black Valley
An isolated midwestern mining town founded in the mid 1800's. The town's mining industry has been inactive since the 1920's due to the mines being closed for an undisclosed reason. Black Valley has a population of only 300, only a small fraction of the 1200 people it housed during the mining era.
Reportedly, Black Valley is a center for paranormal activity, with many bizarre incidents being reported each month.
Characters
Two playable characters are featured in The Beyond, each one playing in a different way and having their own unique reasons for being drawn into the mansion. Each character also has their own unique endings. To see all of the game's endings, you'll need to play through as both characters!
John Faraday
An ex police officer turned private detective. John has been hired to investigate the mysterious disapearance of a group of journalists conducting research on the mansion. John has decided to search for clues in the last place the group were known to have visited, and so heads for The Beyond itself.
Sara Wickson
A horror fiction writer seeking inspiration. It's been a while since Sara wrote a big top seller, so in order to gather material to write her next novel, Sara has decided to spend a night in the infamous mansion known as The Beyond.
Game Features
> True fear will take over as you explore the mansion, uncovering the many secrets it holds. Atmospheric graphics and sounds, combined with some genuine psychological engineering will make you feel the ultimate terror.
> A fantastic challenge awaits you, with fiendish puzzles to solve, horrifying enemies to defeat, and two different characters and four endings to experience.
> Streamlined systems such as a health indicator and custom item usage system help you keep track of notes, clues and items.
> Rivetting, tense combat, using the completely customized Decision Proximity Semi Active Battle system (DPSAB) which allows enemies to deal damage based on the direction they strike from, and allows actions performed outside of battle to affect your battle performance.
Screenshots
Download
Latest Version: 3.2 Full (Approx 58MB, 1 - 3 hours of gameplay)
The download includes the complete game and all the files required to run the game, plus a game strategy guide including game instructions, tips and puzzle answers.
The game can be downloaded from here: http://www.mediafire.com/?bexc9zi2tog
Or here: http://gamejolt.com/freeware/games/puzzle/the-beyond/184/
At the time of writing, the above mirror is still serving an old version of the game, however as of 10/6/2009, it should have an updated file.
System Requirements
Reccomended System Setting
Windows XP/Vista (Windows 7 untested)
1GB of RAM or higher reccomended
1.5GhZ CPU or faster reccomended
100MB free hard drive space required
DirectDraw compatible graphics card required
MP3 compatible sound card required
Minimum System Setting
Windows 2000/XP/Vista
512MB of RAM or higher
1.2GhZ CPU or faster
100MB free hard drive space required
DirectDraw compatible graphics card required
MP3 compatible sound card required
Final Words
I would like to thank all the fans of my games who have spurred me to create this, as well as all the people who helped me create it in various games, the game would not be the same without you.
If you enjoyed The Beyond or have a question or comment, please post back with some feedback! I love to see feedback, good or bad, so don't feel afraid to share your thoughts on my game. Enjoy!
