Ghosts
by Media Design Interactive (1994)
a review written by Inferno
I've always been partial to a good ghost story. Even as a small child, I
would curl up at my mother's knee along with my brother and sister as
she'd weave her ghostly tales by the firelight. She would spin stories
full of wonder about my family's past. The legends and myths of my
grandparents' foreign lands, far away and long ago. We had learned of many
things: vampires, werewolves, witches and wizards.
But my favorites were always
her ghost stories, especially those which were her own. The experiences
that she herself had witnessed in her youth. It is no wonder that I
learned my love of "ghosties and ghoulies and long leggedy beasties". I
cut my teeth on it. As I grew, so did the hunger for stories and
adventures like the ones my mother would tell. I would devour all kinds of
books and writings on the subject. Poe, Irving, Shelly and Michaels; I
knew them all.
Then the future came, with it computers and a new form of entertainment:
The Adventure Game.
Marvelous. I have played many, but the most appealing to me have always
been "first person point and click" mysteries or supernatural adventures.
This is one such game, yet different in that it is more like an
"interactive museum" under the guise of a game. More likely than not, the
"adventure game" part of Ghosts is used as a vehicle to access its subject
matter. This program is absolutely crammed with information on the
supernatural. Whether you are a believer or not; it doesn't really matter.
You
are offered both sides of the coin, and then when you are done, only you
are left to choose...
Do you believe in Ghosts?
As you start your journey, the music seems to set you on your way, lending
an ominous tone as you face the entry way to Hobb's Manor. You arrive in
the Entry Hall and are greeted by Dr Marcus Grimalkin (who is played by
none other then the frighteningly incredible Christopher Lee). He invites
you to "have a look around". Dr. Grimalkin tells you that "Hobb's Manor"
was first inhabited on October 31,1666. Since that day the house has
always had the reputation of being ...well, strange. He comments further
that he has made it his life's work to gather as much information on the
paranormal as possible into this one place. It's all there for the taking,
all you have to do is find it. There are so many objects to interact with.
Each room holds a variety of stories, information and plain scary fun.
There is the book called appropriately "The Book of Hauntings" which holds
over 280 pages with color illustrations of various hauntings and legends
of England. Another book which holds "Spirit Photographs" (uh, yes, photos
of ghosts...or so they say) The lounge is where you'll encounter a
recounting of the Enfield Poltergeist Case. Videos, both pro and con
abound with this disquieting subject, documents audio tapes,
pictures...all purported to be real. There are also many areas throughout
the house where you can ask "the experts" about these supernatural events.
There are many "eyewitness" accounts of ghostly tales ...but these are
cleverly hidden throughout the manor. As you traverse from room to room
ghostly apparitions seem to guide you on your way to mark the truth for
yourself. Do they exist or are they just figments of your imagination? The
cellar may hold a key (or a few bottles, at least!) to part of the mystery
and a secret passage. There's a "lab" of sorts located there as well,
replete with all the "latest" (remember this is 1994,after all) ghost
hunting instruments and equipment. The computer holds an interesting
glossary of the supernatural. And it its here you will find a most
interesting slide show.
There are six beautifully rendered Ghostly tales, "lovingly" narrated by
Mr. Lee (it just doesn't get any better than this!):
Bettiscombe Manor and The Screaming Skull
Canterbury Cathedral and the Tale of Nell Cook
Bisham Abbey Dame Elizabeth Hoby
Wicked Jimmy
The Silent Pool
Marwell Hall
These Ghost Stories are
"sprinkled" throughout Hobb's Manor and presented in a very
interestingslide show format. All in all, I found this interactive
adventure to be incredibly interesting. There was always something to
discover... I particularly enjoyed the "use" of the adventure game
setting. Indeed, at times, I felt totally absorbed in this realm of things
that go "bump in the night";
for you see..........I believe.
Inferno
For some interesting screenshots of Ghosts; Take a look at my website.
Ghosts
Requirements:
Processor 486 or better up to and including Win XP
246 color / 16 and 24 bit color
single speed CD Rom
