Good horror AG/Dark Fall/Darkness Within?

[mgeorge]

I've just finished the Lost Crown, (replaying it as a matter of fact, I just have to try and understand more of what went on with it), however would like some recomendations for something new with a similar theme.

I don't care about graphics however would like something that I can run on XP by just installing the game and playing. Having never really played the Dark Fall games by Mr. Boakes, seeing how much I enjoyed the Lost Crown, you would think one of these would be my first choice, however I remember I purchased Dark Fall the Journal several years ago, and I found it so difficult that I put it aside after about an hr and have since lost the disk.

I did some research on it, as I've been thinking about purchasing it again, and found that many people say you must take a lot of notes, and that it is indeed a difficult game. As for note taking, I hate having to do this. I like to play games in the dark with headphones, and having to put on the lights to write something down to me is not fun. As to the difficulty, I suck at puzzle solving so this is also something that has me leary of Dark Fall the Journal as well.

I'm not adverse to using a walkthrough though if the story grabs me enough, so I guess my question is this. What would you guys suggest for me, Dark Fall again, or Darkness Within or maybe something else? I've heard there is an easy difficulty with Darkness Within and I did enjoy the demo but have also heard bad things about it.

Sorry for the long post but cash is really tight for me right now and hate to pick up something that I'll regret.

Really appreciate any help.

[skurken]

I recommend Scratches (http://www.adventuregamers.com/article/id,609)

Oh and Darkness Within is great too!

[veruncheek]

Or you can try Barrow Hill... It has some links to The Lost Crown...
I played it and liked it, more than Darkness Within. Scratches were too scary for me, which is a good recommendation. :)

For the older horror adventures you can check this list (http://www.justadventure.com/articles/Horror/Horror_Top_10.shtm)...

[mgeorge]

Well I tried the demo for Scratches and it ran horribly slow. Just to pan the camera would sometimes take 10 or more seconds. Went to their web site and it looks as though lots of folks had this same problem with no real solution to it. To bad too, because I liked what I was able to play.

Maybe I will give Barrow Hill a try. I'm going to see if there's a demo availible for it now.

Thanks for the suggestions.

[AndreaDraco83]

For the older horror adventures you can check this list (http://www.justadventure.com/articles/Horror/Horror_Top_10.shtm)...

As a personal opinion, if you want scary old games, stay away from that list! :D

If you're really interested in frightening older games, I can't help but recommend Shadow of the Comet, Sins of the Fathers & The Beast Within, Veil of Darkness, Harvester and the two Shivers. Obviously the two Phantasmagoria would be a neat choice too.

[mgeorge]

Actually I'm not really looking for older AG's unless I can play them on XP without any additional downloads. (SCUMM etc).

I tried the demo for Barrow Hill and it looks pretty interesting however it was so short that I couldn't really get a feel for the game. Does the full game contain a good story and is there a place to download it digitally?

Thanks.

[Fantasysci5]

I'm with you, mgeorge. I LOVE Lost Crown, and I'm not good at puzzles...at all. I loved the Dark Falls, so I would try and give them another try. Barrow Hill also has connections with Lost Crown and the Dark Falls, so I'd say to try that, too. There is a story, and I love that game. I love dark games, so if you want my suggestions, just let me know if we have the same tastes. ;)

[veruncheek]

As a personal opinion, if you want scary old games, stay away from that list! :D

Though you are, as you´ve written, not interested in older AG, I must react to Andrea´s post.
Few of the games on the list are really good IMO.

At least these:

8. Jack the Ripper
6. The Blackstone Chronicles
4. Sanitarium - IT IS A VERY GOOD GAME
3. System Shock 2
2. Amber Journeys Beyond - FROM WHAT I´VE READ AND HEARD - GREAT GAME
1. The Dark Eye - VERY ORIGINAL GAME, I LIKED IT

[AndreaDraco83]

Few of the games on the list are really good IMO.

[...]
2. Amber Journeys Beyond - FROM WHAT I´VE READ AND HEARD - GREAT GAME


That's the only game in that list that I really liked. A great, great game. The other enlisted games range from mediocre (Jack the Ripper, Sanitarium, Blackstone, The Dark Eye) to dreadful (Bad Day on the Midway, Alone in the Dark). System Shock is not a pure adventure and I have never played it and I have no mouth and I must scream is not an horror, but s sci-fi metaphysical nightmare more keen to dramatic atmosphere than horror frights. All of this, of course, in my humble opinion.

[mgeorge]

I agree about Amber Journeys Beyond. I've played it several times. It was the first AG I played back in 98 or so and to me it was the best I've ever played in the genre with the possible exception of Lost Crown. Of course both are quite similar concerning ghosts and whatnot.

System Shock 2 I've played at least 3 times but not really an AG. However it is the most frightening game I've ever played. Up there with Call of Cthulhu Dark Corners of the Earth, (which I've also played several times) ,although again, not really an AG.

To Fantasy. I like very dark themed games as it sounds like you do as well. I have no interest at all in "cutsie" type games or humorous AG's. I almost purchased Dark Fall the Journal again, but as I said earlier in this thread don't want to have to take notes. To me this breaks the immersion of the game, although I can see how some people may think it's a plus. Although the 10 dollar price tag is certainly a plus at Gamersgate!

[Fantasysci5]

I have to agree with some of Ver's picks. Blackstone Chronicles & Sanitarium are very dark, moody games that I absoultely love. Black Mirror is also very dark, and I love it. Not as much as "The Lost Crown", can almost any game be that good?! lol, but I still have a place in my heart for these.

Mgeorge-I'm with you. I'm not good at puzzles AT ALL, and I usually need to use a wlkthrough, or at least hints, to keep me going. But for me, if the story plot and characters are good, then it's worth it. And for me, the Dark Falls are worth it. I too don't like the "cutsie" comedy games. Dark, but not terribly dark, the Longest Journey and especially Dreamfall are wonderful games. And although the Myst games are THE HARDEST PUZZLES EVER, the plot is so good and somewhat dark and mature, they were worth it t me with a walkthrough by my side. I would sugest running around the world (game) you are in, lights out and emmersed, until you are stuck and can not get anywhere else, then have a peak at your walkthrough. Hopefully, you can feel emmersed when you're exploring by yourself. ;) Just my humble suggestion. And if you need help with the Dark Fall games, jsut let me know, I'd be happy to help. ;)

-Fantasy (Jonathan Boakes' #1 fan! :P)

[mgeorge]

I finished Post Mortem last night and thought it was great! I had put it aside while I played Lost Crown because I had gotten to a very tough puzzle in it, (alchemy), and decided to put it aside for a while to see if I came back to it I would be able to complete it. I was wrong. I had to use a walkthrough to finish that puzzle and then again, to finish one more. The puzzles near the end of Post Mortem were very tough IMO but the story drew me in so using a walkthrough didn't bother me.

Very good story although I had a pretty good idea of who the killer was about 3/4 of the way through. I didn't realize there were multible endings, so I may replay it again at a later time. Although not as good as Lost Crown, I really liked the way it was somewhat non-linear. Very good whodunit and I found the very last scene, (at least in the ending I got), very intriguing.

So anyway, started Still Life last night and so far not all that impressed. It seems kind of goofy to me to see the killer with this silly mask, cape, and top hat. For such a "mature" game, this seems out of place in what otherwise seems to be a pretty good depiction of modern day Chicago. We'll see as I'm not that far into it yet.

Either way I think I am going to give Dark Fall the Journal another shot on your advice Fantasy. The price is right and the premise looks to be right up my alley.

[Fantasysci5]

Oh gosh. Now if you don't like it, it'll be on me. lol No, I loved the plot and characters, and I think you'll like it. I have Post Mortem, but have not played it yet. I've heard a lot of reviews of people not liking it, so I'm glad that we have similiar-kinda tastes, and you liked it. I liked it, but you can only choose one way of asking questions, and it's possible you loose otherpieces of information. I'm definetely going to try and play it again. :)

[mgeorge]

Well Fantasysci5, if you say you're not good at puzzles, then I have no idea how you got through Dark Fall the Journal. You must be a lot better at them than me!

Having said that, this game is just soaked with atmosphere and I have to agree about the characters and the story. Fantastic! Good ole Nigel. Even though he's not the main protagonist, he sure is part of the game. I feel like I'm visiting an old friend. I actually found the key to his and Pollys room by accident and once I got in there, boy of boy did the game get interesting.

The puzzles though. Ack! I was very proud of myself when I finally figured out the safe puzzle. As to most of the others, I honestly don't see how anyone could figure these out without the use of a walkthrough. And who wrote the walkthrough? He/she must be a genius!

So I'll trudge through the game using the walkthrough probably every 5 min. to figure out the puzzles because I just have to see how this plays out.

[Fantasysci5]

See? I told you, this game is awesome. ;)

I use walkthroughs when I get stuck, because if I get stuck on a puzzle, it takes away from my enjoyment of the game and the plot. The puzzles are pretty hard, but they make sense once you figure it out, and at least they aren't to teribly hard, like the Myst games.

I LOVED once you get into Polly and Nigel's room. there's so much to do. I like the touch that Jonathan put a few music tracks on the computer. I freakin' love them. And a little present inside the room changes your view on...everything. ;) I won't say more so I don't spoil it. :)

I'm glad you're liking it, mgeorge!!! :D

[Brimstone]

I'm starting to think Jonathan Boakes has found a way to put addictive drugs in his games. I just can't put them down once I get started. Dark Fall 1 was awesome with the hiden messages and actual participation in th seances. Dark fall 2 was beautiful and interesting but not as good as the first. The Lost Crown is a must play!! Good luck getting out of Saxton before bed lol.

[Fantasysci5]

I can't put them down, either!!! Wow, you breezed through both games. Didn't I just suggest them to you?!?! lol

Yeah, I thought Lights Out was just gorgeous, but I freakin' love it, although I agree The Journal is better. I love how he has a part in teh game where he puts in some song soundtracks just for us to listen to, for no reason. I love it.

[Brimstone]

I'm real good at most puzzles and I tend to ignore extras the first time through. I use a walkthrough the second time to see what I missed. Not to mention those games are extremely addictive and very hard to put down. It took alot to stop and take a break.

[mgeorge]

See? I told you, this game is awesome. ;)


I LOVED once you get into Polly and Nigel's room. there's so much to do. I like the touch that Jonathan put a few music tracks on the computer. I freakin' love them. And a little present inside the room changes your view on...everything. ;) I won't say more so I don't spoil it. :)

I'm glad you're liking it, mgeorge!!! :D

Yes I've already gotten the "little present" and it certainly gives the game a new twist making it worth visiting everywhere again. I've played many scary games in all genres, and while this one isn't really jump out of your seat as of yet, the gameworld is so "unsettling' that it's been a whole lot of fun despite what I consider very difficult puzzles.

So I'll use the walkthrough if I really need it, (and not feel guilty like I do in some games), and see if I can find my old buddy Nigel.

[Fantasysci5]

I loved that "little present". It's so interesting to get some flashbacks. ;)

I'm bad at puzzles, too. :P

[therabidfrog]

Any one mention Shiver's by Siera? Both Shivers an Shivers 2 were well received, and the first one got me hooked on adventure gaming.