Arcane
Season 1 - The Miller Estate (2002)
This puzzle oriented game is more
an interactive movie than anything else. You play one of three characters
(this is determined by the episode, not by player selection) facing off
against the forces of darkness and the Cthulhu Mythos. The first season
is only four episodes long and ends rather abruptly. Seeing that Season
1 was originally hosted on the Sarkaban site, I can't help but wonder
if Season 1 was meant more as an advertisement for their games. If that
is the case, it did work, there is a Season two and people are clamoring
for a season 3. Sadly, Season 1 is hard to find, so I recommend getting
it while you can.
- Bob Brinkman
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Arcane
Season 2 - The Stone Circle (2004)
This is everything a Lovecraftian
game should be. Look at your copy of "Call of Cthulhu - Shadow
of the Comet" that is covered in dust, this is everything that
game should have been. Once again this game is an interactive movie, focusing
on superb graphics and a creepy storyline. In the second season though,
the amount of episodes is doubled (for a total of 8 chapters), and the
amount of action in each episode is increased as well. If you weren't
sure that the first season was Lovecraftian? The second season leaves
no doubt.
Gameplay is simple, the game itself
is not. Some of the puzzles are incredibly difficult and may take you
a while to figure out. Of course, there are forums dedicated to the
game and you can find walkthroughs out there if you prefer to simply
watch the story unfold. Either way, you are in for a real treat.
-
Bob Brinkman
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De-Animator
(2003)
This game, available for free on-line,
is the brainchild of art student Bum Lee. Based on the Re-Animator
stories, Lee's animation style really lends itself well to this genre.
The game, like most of Lee's work, is handled with silhouettes. You
play Dr. Herbert West, trying to fend off the ever encroaching horde
of re-animated zombies while armed only with a revolver and a shotgun.
This game is addictive.
There are three types of zombies, each
one will kill you in a different way if they get to you. But that isn't
what makes it so addictive. The sparse sound effects; the whistling
of the wind, the echoing shots, and little else, make for a stark and
powerful game. If there is an end to this game, I haven't found it.
I've reached level 15...but never passed it so I just don't know for
certain.
My only complaint about this game is
that it is difficult to find the instructions. Usually, for something
this simple, this wouldn't be a problem. However with he option of switching
from a pistol to a shotgun, you need to know this command (< Shift
> by the way). Still, even without knowing this bit of information
I greatly enjoyed the game.
Honestly? This makes me want to see
more Lovecraftian work from Bum Lee. This was fantastic Fun.
- Bob Brinkman |
| Exmortis
(2004)
A dark and mysterious game from the
mind of Flash newcomer Ben Leffler, Exmortis is filled with creepy atmosphere.
Not directly derived from Lovecraft, but certainly Lovecraftian, the
game mostly centered around problem solving. As you find the various
items that you need to get past certain areas, more and more of the
story becomes clear. The only problem with this type of game is that
it doesn't hold up to repeated play. Once the game is solved, the suspense
driving the game is gone. Still, I'm hoping to eventually see more.
- Bob Brinkman
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